News in real-estate

Le Bleu, at the harbor

A couple of real-estate news items caught my eye today, thought they were worth sharing.

One is that Arnold Palmer is to design the golf course at the Las Piedras resort, according to Blogolfe, a Brazilian golf blog, which claims that Palmer has acquired a property on the much talked about Fasano development in rural La Barra.

Why am I so excited about Las Piedras? The project operates in the upper echelons of the luxury category, with several brand names involved. Las Piedras is developed by the Fasano group, owners of the hottest boutique hotels in Sao Paulo and Rio, and of the best restaurants in Sao Paulo. Fasano was actually bought out recently by JHSF Participacoes, a leadng Brazilian real-estate developer. For Las Piedras the group has hired Brazilian architect Isay Weifeld, of the Havaianas store fame. So in addition to a top-notch restaurant and what will be a beautiful hotel, no doubt, Punta del Este will have a much needed new golf course, designed by a golf icon. Not too shabby. The project involves 205 villas set in a 400 hectare property on the Cerro Eguzquiza, of which only 30% will be developed.

A true believer in "trickle-down economics," I am confident I will be able to take advantage of some winter special promotion at the restaurant, for example, or of being invited to some event at the hotel´s bar. I will enjoy it one way or another, you´ll see...

The other interesting bit of news is that the condo building on the harbor promenade where Blue Cheese used to be appears to be on again, after a loooong hiatus that left neighbors fearing the excavation for the foundations was to be their view forever...

Le Bleu is designed by Carlos Ott, our number two star architect after superstar Viñoly, of the controversial Acqua. Maybe not to be outdone in the "super expensive condos with own pools," this one will have individual swimming-pools in every unit, visible from the street. Scary but nice looking... Prices start at either $1.5 or $1.9 million, depending on the various sources. Units go from 380 m2 to 580m2, and there´s only five units in the whole building, so hurry up and reserve yours!