Enclosed by forested hills, the sandy white beaches and turquoise waters of Nonsuch Bay, on the east coast of Antigua, are sometimes said to be one of the Caribbean island’s best-kept secrets. But not for long.
On Oct. 22, Antigua’s President Baldwin Spencer cut the ribbon at a ground-breaking ceremony for an upscale community from La Perla Living, an international developer of luxury housing with several communities in Spain and one in France. The company is now branching out with plans for developments in Austria and Vietnam as well as Antigua.
"At La Perla Living our passion is to create and share an exceptional living experience, by developing exciting homes in unique locations and offering outstanding services, assuring carefree enjoyment and a sound investment," states the company’s mission statement.
While their communities are not restricted to a senior clientele, "a large percentage of our clients are actually older adults or retirees," says brand-development director Debby Koning.
The Antigua development, set on a 40-acre parcel of land jutting into the Caribbean, will include 22 plots for free-standing villas ranging from just over 16,000 to 48,000-plus square feet. There will also be 16 townhouses with direct sea access, spacious terraces and private plunge pools.
Other beachfront properties will be available in the form of 40 apartments and 30 pied á terre suites. Sizes of suites, apartments and townhouses range from 538 to 2,100 square feet.
The development will also feature a small private marina, boutique hotel, restaurant, tennis courts and swimming pools.
The homes will be designed to reflect the traditional colonial styles of island residences, inspired by Georgian architecture. Home interiors can be customized.
While the community’s privacy in ensured by the natural barrier of the surrounding hills, it’s still close to local attractions, 15 minutes from historic English Harbour and a half hour from the capital of St. John’s and the international airport.
Lot prices start at about $225,000 US. Townhouses — with three bedrooms and 2.5 baths — are priced at about $495,000 and apartments and suites — one to three bedrooms — range from circa $175,000 to $450,000.