Abaco's Serenity Point targeting $75- $100m build out value

An upscale Abaco real estate development is targeting a $75-$100 million total value when its 46 home sites are fully built out, telling Tribune Business yesterday that the project expects to kick into high gear in the New Year after completing its first sales last month.

Gustaf Hernqvist, Serenity Point's project manager, said increased construction activity at the adjacent Schooner Bay development in south Abaco was helping to create a critical mass that encouraged potential buyers both projects were for real.

Telling Tribune Business that construction on Serenity Point's clubhouse was set to begin imminently, and that the first homeowner was anticipated to start building within the next six months, Mr Hernqvist said that reducing the project's real estate prices by up to 35 per cent - in response to market conditions - had also helped to stimulate buyer interest.

"We've found Schooner Bay has switched into a new gear, completing the harbour," Mr Hernqvist explained. "Over the last four-five months the pace has been incredible, with all the construction. The construction of the hotel is underway, a restaurant is coming soon, and a harbourmaster's office is open.

"These are all considerations for owners at Serenity Point; to be able to get into a golf cart and go to places next door. The difference between us and Schooner Bay is that we're a gated community."

Access to Schooner Bay's amenities and facilities is a key selling point for Serenity Point, which is being created as a boutique, upmarket real estate development featuring its own clubhouse, affinity pool, tennis courts and 24-hour security.

To make Serenity Point even more attractive and stimulate buyer activity, Mr Hernqvist said the developers had cut their lot prices by up to 35-37 per cent, dropping a beachfront location from an initial $850,000 to $535,000. Beachfront, and hillside sites, start at $300,000 for a half-acre lot.

"Since all these activities at Schooner Bay have been taking off, we've had a lot of inquiries," Mr Hernqvist told Tribune Business. "As of last month, we sold two beachfront lots. Another beachfront lot was reserved, and two ridge lots have been reserved with deposits.

"We are actually now just in the process of commencing construction for a clubhouse. Our projection is that this is going to be completed in a about a year."

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SCHOONER BAY development Targets Growing most of their own Food

THE SCHOONER Bay development in Abaco is aiming within 10 years to produce 75 per cent of the food it eats itself, and is employing renewable technologies to reduce its power bills.

James Malcolm, Schooner Bay's marketing director, explaining that the developers' construction/development methods would "pay ecological dividends for years to come", said the use of solar water heaters would cut power bills in the development by one-third.

And, through the use of geothermal energy for air conditioning and cooling properties, Mr Malcolm said the developers would slash power bills by a further 50 per cent.

"We feel fairly vindicated in our philosophy that while it takes more time, and more attention to detail, building in that way will pay ecological dividends for years to come, for our children and grandchildren," Mr Malcolm said.

Of the 120 lots placed on the market for sale two-and-a-half years ago, some 50 had been sold to buyers of whom 75 per cent were from Nassau.

"We have an amazing group of initial buyers who we call pioneers. They're diverse," Mr Malcolm said. "We're building at a very slow and deliberate pace. That's a key to sustainability - to not bite off more than you can chew.

"We believe we are a model for redevelopment. One of the reasons for our success is affordability. People are getting into Schooner Bay for lots and homes at $350,000. This not about $2 million and foreign buyers."

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