Maravilla Resort ..... Todos Santos, Baja California Sur

Maravilla is being developed by Maravilla Resorts International, (MRI), a subsidiary of Equity Directions, Inc., Palm Desert California. MRI and its Mexican subsidiary, Desarrollos Todos Santos S.A. de C.V. (DTS), is pleased to provide this Summary Memorandum for the development of an ultra-luxury ocean front destination resort on the southern coast of the Baja California Peninsula.

Maravilla Resort is destined to be Mexico's premier destination resort. Located only 46 miles north of the tip of Cabo San Lucas and 45 miles south of the La Paz Airport. Nestled on Baja's Pacific Coast, Maravilla lies in the fertile agricultural region of Todos Santos. This charming town with its colorful plaza, quaint theater and Spanish Colonial ambiance is reminiscent of Puerto Vallarta in the 1950's.

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Project Summary

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Once a prosperous sugar cane plantation, 1,150 acres of this secluded tropical setting has been master planned as an Private Resort Community which will include three ultra luxury hotels… a 140 Room Five Star Boutique Hotel with 30 Villas, a 200 Room Five Star All Inclusive Hotel , and a 40 room Boutique Hotel. In addition to the Three ultra luxury hotels and Villas, the schematic master plan includes a Gary Player Design signature golf course and 366 residential units. The residential components will offer a wide selection of products including pre-designed villas, golf oriented homesites, large 4 to 10 acre estates and condominium/pueblo clusters with its own community club and pool areas. The future of Maravilla encompasses several adjacent parcels which would include a polo ground, ranch estates, a motion picture and sound production studio in conjunction with the Oasis of Life Clinique.

The dramatic setting of Maravilla, coupled with the finest micro-climate in North America, experiences year-round temperatures averaging a pleasant 75-85 degrees. The palm laden offers an incomparable 900-yard crescent-shaped white-sand beach. Its abundant tropical landscaping, fresh water lagoons and natural pristine beauty promises to make Maravilla the Peninsula's year round golf resort of choice for the discriminating world traveler. Its ideal weather and the natural beauty at Maravilla are unequaled.

Of primary consideration in the creation of Maravilla is the environmental balance essential to the preservation of the site's natural character. This is achieved through the use of local materials, careful design and sensitive management. In virtually all instances structures at Maravilla are low-rise, Mexican Colonial architecture, unobtrusive and in harmony with their natural surroundings. This tropical beach front "oasis" will create a desire for guests and residents to devote maximum time to the "Maravilla experience".

MRI offers certain profit centers within its master planned development to be considered on either a joint venture or land purchase. The composition of each of the following development opportunities has been carefully analyzed by various consultants to bring the most desirable yield without sacrificing the natural beauty of this unique site. Low density with large two to five acre custom estate lots, strict architectural guidelines and traditional Mexican Colonial architecture will preserve the ambiance and character of the Todos Santos environment. This sensitivity to planned luxury development will attract the clientele who enjoy Mexico and the unspoiled character of the quaint village of Todos Santos.

The Maravilla Community is designed to offer an ultimate "private" environment. Its spectacular ocean views, charming Mexican Colonial architecture, exquisite spacious suites and exceptional service provides the guest with an unforgettable and relaxed experience. Golf, spa treatments, fishing, snorkeling, horseback riding and shopping all combined to assure a relaxed and tranquil experience.

 

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Location- Todos Santos, Baja California Sur-

TODOS SANTOS meaning "All Saints" is a small sub-tropical town overlooking the Pacific Ocean approximately 50 miles north of Cabo San Lucas on the Baja Peninsula. With a population nearing 8,500 inhabitants and bordering the Tropic of Cancer, this lush environment fifty years ago was dependent on the sugar cane industry. Today, Todos Santos is a quaint and sleepy village deriving most of its income from the rich soils and oyster beds along the coast.

The Maravilla Community, approximately two miles south of Todos Santos, is to be the premier luxury golf destination resort on the Pacific coast of the southern Baja Peninsula. Once a sugar plantation, the property enjoys a spectacular 900 yard pristine beach, thousands of native palm trees and a 25 acre fresh-water lagoon creating a natural sanctuary for hundreds of birds.

Maravilla is flanked by two sheltering hillsides...creating a natural cove with a year round micro-climate of 75 to 85 degrees. With its rich top soil, underground water source and unique seclusion, Maravilla provides the ultimate setting for international appeal.

Flights to Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are available through Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Dallas, Houston and Denver. Major air carriers include Alaska, AeroCalifornia, AeroMexico, Continental, Mexicana and United Airlines. There is currently 30 flights per day arriving in Cabo San Lucas.

Los Angeles currently has six direct flights into Cabo San Lucas and five direct flights into La Paz airports. The two hour flight from southern California to Los Cabos allows a traveler to have lunch in Los Angeles and arrive at Maravilla in time for a twilight dinner overlooking the lagoon.

From La Paz, Maravilla is a 50 minute drive south on the newly paved Highway 19 offering a safe and enjoyable experience with beautiful desert scenery. Upon reaching Todos Santos this rustic terrain is transformed into lush palm trees and mango orchards.

From Los Cabos International Airport, the newly completed four lane highway connects the towns of San Jose Del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. The coastal drive to Maravilla is approximately 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas.

 

Real Estate Components

 

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Maravilla Beach Hotel

Narayana Beach Hotel

The Narayana Beach Hotel has been thoughtfully designed and selectively positioned, to include 140 ultra-luxury accommodations with 30 privately owned villas. This secluded resort with its low density assures a relaxed, unhurried experience offering maximum livability.

Narayana Hotel boasts full-service amenities including restaurants with the finest cuisine and personal service, shops, croquet, pools, tennis, golf and a health spa and other amenities. The guest accommodations, public areas and villas are located on approximately 70 environmentally secluded acres.

From the moment one enters Narayana Hotel, the feeling of sub-tropical serenity is experienced. The reception foyer is positioned to afford dramatic palm grove views. The design permits only pedestrian traffic through the complex with paths and pools leading to Maravilla's private beach, gardens and terrace restaurant.

The Narayana Beach Villas are located adjacent to and an integral part of The Narayana Hotel. These 30 detached luxury villas range in size from 4,000 sq.ft. to 5,000 square feet. The villas will consist of 4 bedrooms each articulated around their private swimming pool. The Villas will be individually owned and will be managed by the Narayana Hotel.

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Royal Palms Hotel

Hotel #2

The second Hotel will consist of 200 rooms situated at the bottom of the south hill facing north-west and elevated to embrace an open sunset sea view as well as the championship golf course. The Club House will play the role of public areas for the hotel guests. Adjacent to the hotel and on the golf fairway will be 12 golf Villas on lots varying between 2 and 4 acres. The villas will consist of various pavilions animated around a surfaced deck and lawn area.

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Hotel Site #3

Hotel #3

The third Hotel will also consist of 40 rooms and will be located in the proximity of hole No. 9 and No. 10 looking to the south-west view of the white sandy beach and Pacific ocean. The Hotel will be designed in a very strong organic architecture language in order to be fully integrated to the background hill. The grounds will stretch along the 10th fairway to the beach where they will meet at hotel and resident beach club. The club will serve as a public beach club for residents of the development as well as the halfway stop for the golfers.

The Maravilla Resort collection is synonymous with the finest the world offers to affluent travelers. The development of these three hotels within the Maravilla Beach Community will join the distinctive and impressive small ultra luxury destinations of the world.

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Golf Course

B. GOLF COURSE & RESIDENTIAL LOTS

The Maravilla Beach Community promises to present one of the finest golf resorts on the Baja Peninsula. The project's site was once a thriving sugar plantation with an abundance of fresh water and rich top soil. With its Pacific breezes, Maravilla Beach is 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the other resorts in Southern Baja. With these combined natural amenities, year round golf at Maravilla Beach will always be available to the most discriminating sports traveler.

Development Plan

The Maravilla Beach Community development plan includes 289 Hillside residential units plus 57 golf oriented residential homesites and villas; an 18-hole championship golf course; a complete practice facility encompassing a driving range and putting course; a clubhouse; and a tennis garden, pool and exercise facility. Maravilla Beach’s defining features include seclusion, low-density residential and spectacular views. Its master plan is environmentally sensitive to the dramatic palm grove, fresh water lagoon, pristine beach and mountain setting.

Club members, residents, and their guests will enter Maravilla Beach along a picturesque drive through natural desert landscaping with mountain vistas and brief glimpses of the golf course and palm- laden lagoon. The formal entry and reception center will be located approximately 1,000 yards into the site from the highway. The development will highlight and enhance the site’s natural beauty and seclusion through complementary landscaping and architectural design standards consistent with the finest in ultra luxury resort accommodations.

Golf Course

Maravilla Beach features a desert themed golf course design. The Gary Player Design Team has provided a preliminary master plan for the Maravilla Beach Resort which is an 18 hole championship 7517 yards, par 72 course. The Maravilla Beach golf course with its coastal views, utilize the natural terrain with minimal grading. The course will wind through the property, traversing between rock outcroppings and 25 foot cactus at the foot of two spectacular mountains. Lakes and water features consistent with the environment will be added.

 

 

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Additional Project Elements- Future Phases on Adjacent land to be acquired- Section 3

Oasis of Life Clinique - This amenity to the Maravilla Beach Community will attract an affluent clientele, which is expected to return every two to three years. It will offer an overall enhancement to the residential sales and hotel occupancy. The Clinique will be designed as a 35,000 square foot facility with a small emergency center. The advent of an advanced anti-aging program centered around the health conscious population has developed significant interest in membership and investors alike. A separate investor package is available upon request.

Please click on Rejuvenative Technologies for an indepth coverage.

Equestrian Center- A world class facility that could attract both the general public as well as the equestrian gentry has been designed on the north side of Highway 19 on the Phase III of Maravilla Beach Community. This area will feature an equestrian club, private stables, dressage arena, ziggarat style viewing mounds and various jumping and riding areas.

Winery and Restaurant- Located at the top of "Spaceship Hill" the winery and restaurant enjoy a commanding panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and Maravilla Beach Community. A formal axis has been created to connect to the Town Village by a "Spanish Steps" style stairway and rose garden. An open plaza will be created to offer a multi-functional space for concerts, gatherings, and performances.

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IV. SITE DESCRIPTION AND OWNERSHIP

The property consists of an assemblage of three parcels totaling approximately 1150 acres in size and are referenced on the following map as Section #1, Section #2 and Section #3.

Desarrollos Todos Santos, S.A. de C.V. was incorporated by MRI for the specific development of resort properties in Mexico. In August of 1989 a joint venture was signed between Mr. Abelardo L. Rodriguez Montijo, a prominent family in Mexico, whose father was a former President of Mexico. Mr. Rodriguez has developed and operated several Mexican resorts on the Baja Peninsula which include the Palmilla Resort and the Hacienda Hotel in Cabo San Lucas.

Parcel #1, consisting of 430 acres is by far the most spectacular real estate holding in all of Baja. The joint venture participation has been signed with Mr. Abelardo Rodriguez in which the 430 acres has been contributed to the venture. The development of Parcel #1 will include, the Maravilla Hotel and Villas, an 18 hole championship golf course, tennis garden, club house and 24 residential lots.

Parcel #2 consists of approximately 420 acres and has been purchased by DTS. The acquisition of this acreage was the result of favorable changes in foreign investment laws which encouraged foreign capital into Mexico. Foreign Investors can now own 100% of the stock of a Mexican corporation and be guaranteed the same rights and protection. The development of Parcel #2 will include 289 residential units.

Parcel #3 consists of approximately 255 acres. The development of Parcel #3 will include an additional clustering of low density residential homes between 1 and 10 acres each.

 

V. LAWS AFFECTING MEXICAN INVESTMENT

As of December 1993, important changes favoring foreign investment include the right to purchase land outright even in the restricted zones. Until now investors have been reluctant to invest in areas where the real estate could not be used as direct security for their investments. The right to purchase without a "fideicomiso" (Trust) does not include residential property for individual homes. Under the new law a foreign investor could legally purchase, in his own name, a tract of land to be developed as a residential subdivision. The individual lots, however, would require the use of a "fideicomiso" if purchased by foreigners. If, for instance, the foreign developer wished to retain one of the lots in his subdivision for himself for the construction of his own residence, then he too would require a "fideicomiso" for that tract of property.

Other major changes designed to attract foreign capital include the right for profits from foreign investment to be withdrawn from Mexico and sent to the country of origin of the foreign investor. Also, foreign investors are guaranteed the same rights and restrictions as similar businesses owned or operated by nationals. Property and businesses owned by foreigners will be protected from expropriation under extensive legislation allowing expropriation only for reason of public domain and may not be enacted in a discriminatory manner.

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VI. DEVELOPER AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

Since 1975, Equity Directions, Inc. of Palm Desert has provided leadership and a sound management approach to virtually every real estate development dimension. Equity's portfolio includes a successful history of developing, managing and marketing over $100 million in U.S. real estate.

Maravilla is master-developed by MRI. MRI's Mexican subsidiary Desarrollos Todos Santos, Inc. will be responsible for the tasks of developing the resort into a viable land subdivision, including, but not limited to, land acquisition, planning, financing and construction of infrastructure and amenities..

It is anticipated that certain operational management functions may be contracted out to one or more third-party firms. Such management functions may include the operation of the resort's Maravilla hotels, resort membership club, golf course, club house, tennis garden and beach club. DTS will direct and coordinate the marketing and sale of the various residential offerings.

The Maravilla development team is comprised of qualified professionals in real estate development, finance, construction, and marketing ---- all of whom share an enduring commitment to quality and service.

The vision that DTS has for Maravilla promises a dramatic and challenging future.

To assist in the development of Maravilla, the following professionals have been selected in the creation of what will be the finest resorts in the World:

·         Watkins/Baile Newport Beach Master Planning

·         Alvarado, Smith, & Sanchez; US Legal Counsel

·         Gatt Corona Abogado Mexico Legal Counsel

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If you would like further information please e-mail your address to MaravillaR@aol.com

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Richard R. Jacobs
Copyright © 1995 Equity Directions, Inc.. All rights reserved.
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