Jack Nicklaus, the golf legend and today’s preeminent course designer, was on hand at Raffles St Lucia June 26-27, to inspect the gorgeous piece of oceanfront property that will soon be home to a Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, one of only 25 in the world.
August 1, 2008 — Jack Nicklaus, the golf legend and today’s preeminent course designer, was on hand at Raffles St Lucia June 26-27, to inspect the gorgeous piece of oceanfront property that will soon be home to a Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, one of only 25 in the world. Over the course of two days, Nicklaus focused meticulously on all 18 holes to fine-tune the layout: lengthening fairways, creating more bunkers, altering tee placements and adding water features. On the evening of Thursday, June 26, a press conference was held at the St. Lucia Golf Club that included many local dignitaries as well as future owners at Raffles St Lucia.
Nicklaus, who expressed his satisfaction with the progress on site, was won over by the dramatic piece of property on St. Lucia’s northern shore the first time he saw it.
“It’s just a spectacular site,” Nicklaus said. “The water, the climate, the topography, it has everything you look for in a golf course setting. The moment I saw it I said, ‘I want to be here.'”
Construction on the course is moving along rapidly and, already, the character of the course is beginning to take shape.
“There won’t be any one single signature hole here,” Jack states. “There will be 18 signature holes. From the beautiful par 5 that starts off the front nine, to the dramatic views of the Atlantic from the 18th, each hole will be special.”
Indeed, the entire project at Raffles St Lucia promises to be special, as it marks the first collaboration between Nicklaus Design and the globally renowned Raffles Hotels & Resorts. Still riding an increasing wave of momentum generated by a highly successful Founders Launch in December 2007, Raffles St Lucia is poised to set a new standard for luxury in the Caribbean. With its prime oceanfront location in the most coveted region of the island, and anchored by the power of these two iconic brands, Raffles St Lucia has already enjoyed overwhelming real estate sales even in a challenging economy.
Best of all, there’s still time for savvy buyers to take advantage of a limited edition of Estate Lots and Residences by acting soon. This luxury resort-style community will give members privileged access to a deeply rewarding lifestyle that includes a Jack Nicklaus Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, a RafflesAmrita Spa, private beach clubs, infinity-edge pools, world-class fitness facilities, multiple dining options, plus Raffles’ legendary service and hospitality.
This is also an ideal time to buy on St. Lucia as property prices are currently an incredible value. The island is in the midst of a major growth cycle and being hailed as the next emerging market. Numerous factors have contributed to this growth. Several luxury hotel operators (in addition to Raffles) are planning to open new resorts in the next few years. Seven new signature golf courses are currently under development by world famous architects. A proposed $100 million re-development plan at Rodney Bay will transform St. Lucia into a major super-yacht marina destination. To sustain this planned growth, the government has created new initiatives and invested millions of dollars to improve the infrastructure, upgrade transportation arteries, and even build a new hospital.
“Known worldwide for its refined elegance and unmistakable sophistication, St. Lucia affords the kind of exotic surroundings that are somewhat unexpected in the Caribbean,” says Mike Collins, Principal and CEO of IMI. “Raffles St Lucia offers a legendary opportunity to create a legacy for buyers from Europe and Asia, as well as North America. The escalating demand from markets like the UK is quite remarkable, especially for offerings like this one, where scarcity is such a driving factor.”
To learn more about how you can take advantage of the limited Estate Lots and Residences currently available at Raffles St Lucia, West Indies, visit www.rafflesstlucia.com, or call 800-297-1857 (toll free), 758-452-0208 (local) or +44 808 120 3646 (UK freephone).
Raffles Hotels & Resorts
The Raffles collection of luxury hotels has consistently distinguished itself by providing the highest standards of products and services. With locations around the globe, each hotel is a landmark in its respective city, positioned at the top of its local market and rated among the very best in the world. Raffles Hotels & Resorts has earned a legion of international accolades, including CondĂ© Nast Traveler’s “World’s Best Places To Stay” and Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best Awards.”
IMI, headquartered in New York, specializes in the sales and marketing of luxury resort real estate in the most desired destinations throughout the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean. Since 1990, IMI has introduced thousands of clients to opportunities for real estate ownership in some of the greatest places in North America, from beachfronts to mountaintops, to towering city penthouses, resulting in over US $4 billion in closings. For more information about the company and its offerings, visit IMI’s website at www.imiliving.com or call 864-233-6070.