at Rodney Bay, and a handful of exciting new villa projects, it’s worth a closer look. Gobat has been involved with most
of St Lucia’s fl agship projects, so he has a good overview of the luxury end of the market – and how it has fared since the downturn. “At The Landings [a frontline/ marina-based development also at the northern tip, above Rodney Bay] 136 homes have been fi nished out of the 228 units in the original plans,” says Gobat (
thelandingsstlucia.com). “All the amenities have been built,
If Barbados is too much glitz and sophistication for your taste (and budget), why not try less-developed islands such as St Lucia, Jamaica or Bequia says Liz Rowlinson
I
f you want to bump into Simon Cowell, the Linekers or the Rooney clan on holiday then the west coast of Barbados
would be pretty high on your list. The so-called Platinum Coast has become a Caribbean playground for the rich and famous, with a whole array of high-end villas, sophisticated restaurants and designer shops to cater for their needs. However, if you seek something a little less gilded, more rustic, rugged and arguably more authentically Caribbean, then St Lucia is emerging with some quality luxury projects of its own. With mountains, rainforest and secluded beaches, volcanic St Lucia is
NATURAL BEAUTIES IN THE CARIBBEAN
one of the most beautiful and diverse islands in the Caribbean, with lower prices than Barbados and a low-key type of celebrity resident. “We never want to become Barbados,
and A-listers come here because they like the fact they can visit on the quiet,” says Oliver Gobat of Cap Maison, a boutique luxury development at the northern tip of St Lucia 10 minutes from the popular Rodney Bay area (
capmaisonestates.com). “Mick Jagger’s been here, also Catherine Zeta-Jones and Oprah [Winfrey].” With tourism and airlift still strong
(there are daily fl ights from the UK), an upgraded marina (room for more super yachts) and a new shopping mall
the marina’s working, so although the downturn did slow down its completion, current owners are really not bothered if the rest get built, as you can imagine.” There are a few two-bed resales selling for $750,000 (£470,400), but there is only one new one-bed available at $515,000 (£323,000). At Cap Maison, an exclusive little
resort of properties built on the site of the Gobat family’s home on a stunning bluff overlooking the sea, there are only two of the 22 villas left – two/ three-beds priced from £708,000. There’s a rentals scheme offering guaranteed returns of 5 per cent per annum, in addition to nine weeks’ personal usage. “We haven’t had the oversupply issues of Barbados, so haven’t been offering huge discounts, so there haven’t been great deals to be had,” adds Gobat. “That said, prices are static. It is a
Main
Coconut Plantation in St Lucia
Top Right: Bequia
buyer’s market, so you must put in offers – the asking price of a property isn’t necessarily the price it sells for.” British-born Glad Taylor of St Lucia Homes Real Estate concurs, but says you must be selective about off-plan projects. “We are really comfortable selling property in two off-plan schemes: the Residences at Sugar Beach [the resort at Jalousie Beach between the two Piton peaks]; and at Mount du Cap [also at the northern tip]. “At Mount du Cap, there’s a great architect and builder, and by buying
aplaceinthesun.com 73
CARIBBEAN
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