Is that a glimmering light at the end of the 4Seasons tunnel I see?

Clearly, if the PM and the Minister of Finance are hiding from you, and you are being schmoozed by the St. Lucy MP (no offense intended), we already know where this deal is going - if it goes anywhere at all.  All debts, including all political debts, must be paid before this project ever sees the light of day again.  Click here to read about it all. 

COW Rips Rihanna

BREAKING NEWS
In a passionate call into the popular local radio talkshow - Down to Brass Tacks - earlier today, local construction magnate, Sir Charles Williams, baring his soul of the many insults and hurts heaped upon him and his family and businesses disclosed that the most hurtful of all was that Rihanna never once visited the plot of land at the Apes Hill Club that was given to her a few years ago in recognition of her winning a Grammy.  Sir Charles revealed that the land with a market valuation of $1.2 Million was sold to the Government of Barbados for just $100,000.00 for onward presentation to Rihanna.  He said that when Rihanna was contacted about visiting the property her reply was: "How many cameras are going to be there?"

Polo Paradise

"On my first day at the Apes Hill Polo Villas I was awakened from an afternoon nap convinced that I was in the middle of an earthquake. The floor and walls seemed to be vibrating. Through the open doors of my veranda, beyond a wall of fuchsia bougainvillea, I could hear the sound of shouting in the distance. As I got my bearings, I realized that the voices were calling out polo plays in a mixture of Spanish and English and that the ground was shaking because there were eight horses running at a full gallop, only yards from where I had been sleeping in the balmy breeze  ..."

Read more: Polo Paradise - Ralph Lauren Magazine

'via Blog this'

Limegrove Comes Under Heavy Environmental And Ecological Criticism

Limegrove under construction on the mangrove swamp in Holetown

(Click here for larger image)

Limegrove, the upmarket shopping, entertainment and residential development in the heart of Holetown has come under heavy environmental and ecological criticism from a professor of Marine Ecology and Fisheries at the local branch of the University of The West Indies. Professor Hazel Oxenford described Limegrove and another big tourism development in the works for another mangrove swamp site on the south coast of the island as having "the potential to devastate Barbados' already struggling coral reef population." She explained that mangroves protect coral reefs by holding back,slowing down and absorbing rainfall runoff which unchecked destroys coral reefs and animal life which live on them.

She did not mince words when she zeroed in on Limegrove: "You see in Holetown right now that ridiculous building complex which is going up right in the swamp. What is it going to do? They are turning [the swamp] into concrete to make the water run off fast, really fast water takes with it soil, garbage, anything. Say 'no' to that kind of building."

In the above photosynth you can see on the landside of the bridge where they have built a new concrete canal to channel the water through the swamp area. Recently in the local media the developer was boasting that with the new canals together with the new catchment pond miles inland at Farmers in St. Thomas built to facilitate irrigation of the new golf course at Apes Hill, they have finally solved the flooding problem in Holetown. Professor Oxenford and others believe such thinking is shortsighted, for with the reefs gone the coastline is more exposed to storms and erosion. And, with the beaches gone, so will the tourists, supposedly for whom these monstrosities are being conceived.

Click here to read original Barbados Today article.

Click here for more context to the mangrove swamp in Holetown.

.

Barbados is queen of the Caribbean

"It is not hard to see why Barbados is considered the premier destination for Britons thinking of buying property in the Caribbean.

Turquoise-coloured sea and beaches that live long in the memory are just a starter; add to this a warm sunny climate all year round, friendly people, infrastructure that is more first than third world and stable government and it's easy to see why Barbados still holds many in thrall.

"Barbados has always been a favourite among UK buyers – it's known as 'Little Britain' – and the current market has proved that," said Georgina Richards from estate agents Knight Frank International. "We've traditionally sold in British Virgin Islands, Mustique and Grand Cayman as well, and a couple of years ago buyers were investigating the more peripheral islands of the Caribbean, but the market's contracted right back to Barbados. It's our core market: more than 90 per cent of buyers are looking there."

Although the Barbadian market did suffer a downturn in late 2008 and 2009, and several high-profile developments such as Four Seasons and Apes Hill were subject to delays, it seems that building work is commencing again on the island. At the luxurious Royal Westmoreland development, for instance, a new building phase, Sugar Cane Ridge, is about to begin which will have 14 four-bed villas available from $1.2m (£800,000). "Some developers understandably have struggled with financing their projects," said Ian Cox from Royal Westmoreland. "Here we have had no such difficulty as we are a large, well-established development which has grown organically over years, regardless of credit crunches or world economic problems..."  - more -

Click here for entire article from The Independent

Apes Hill Adds Nine More Holes

Prime Minister David Thompson officially opened the new 18-hole golf course at Apes Hill yesterday.  Nine holes were opened this time last year so this opening represents the opening of the remaining nine holes completed this year.  The clubhouse is yet to be built but we are told a temporary one will soon be in place.  From some of the comments made yesterday it is now clear that the residential component of the development never reached anywhere near to rosy picture painted by the developers even before the current recession.  That fact has not stopped the developers from launching a new round hubris and hyperbole trying to sell the property.  They are already calling the course "one of the best in the world."   Don't laugh, at least it has come a long way from a COW pasture. 

Links:
Barbados Advocate 12/03/09 Page 1, Page 4, Page 5

Construction On Banyan Tree/Black Bess Golf & Villa Project Causing Local Headache

"CONSTRUCTION ON THE SITE of the $600 million Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts Ltd at Black Bess, St Peter, has taken a toll on 82-year-old Gellispie Springer.
Springer, who lives below the site at Upper Rock Dundo, St James, said her life has been disrupted by falling boulders and mould, loud noises from bulldozers and now a mass of water.
Whenever it rains, water gushes down the cliff above her and floods around her house and the road.
"If you see how the water rush down from there and flood my whole yard; I had to say Lord have mercy!" the elderly woman cried as she pointed to the cliff which is about 50 to 60 feet high..."

Click here for entire NationNews.com article.

Who knew that this project was restarted? Last we heard this project was shuttered and/or abandoned because of the recession. Be that as it may, the headache it is causing this old lady is another episode in a long string of problems construction on luxury tourism developments on or near the west coast have caused for locals and the environment. Some people in the area still blame a massive flood and rushing water which swept through the village of Weston, St. James several years ago washing one chattel house out to sea and drowning its occupant in the process, on construction related issues at the Royal Westmoreland golf and villa project. There has been no end of headaches for locals with the Apes Hill/Waterhall project involving everything from dry water taps to pushing people off lands. And, of course, the nightmare created in Road View/Mullins by the St. Peter's Bay condo project has been well documented on the Mullins Bay Blog. In all of these and other cases Government has stood aside with its arms folded and mouth shut - it too a victim and sometimes facilitator of the greed that currently grips Barbados by the throat.

New Cave Attraction?

 

Apes Hill Cave

"Move over, Harrison's Cave. Here is Barbados' best kept modern-day secret. Welcome to Apes Hill cave, on the border of St James and St Andrew..."

Click here for entire NationNews.com story.

Apes Hill Grinds To A Halt

 

Like the old 17th century sugarcane windmill which still adorns the property, work on the billion dollar luxury residential golf and polo resort at Apes Hill has ground to a halt.  In its heyday its principal developer used to boast that business was so good that he had "nothing to sell."  However, he is now lamenting about the fruitlessness of his sales trips to London and that sales have "slowed right down to a stop."  The same economic storm that shuttered other tourism-related condo and villa projects up and down the west coast, including the Four Seasons at Black Rock and Banyan Tree at Black Bess, has now also reached even Apes Hill which (because of its partnership with deep-pocketed interests in the USA and Britain and its appeal to the wealthy high end) was once thought of as being immune to the vicissitudes of the real estate market.

Sandy Lane pulled out early in the rush to build more and more luxury villas on, near or overlooking the booming "Platinum Coast," but up until very recently, Sir Charles Williams (the principal developer at Apes Hill) together with Michael Pemberton of Four Seasons and John Morphet of Royal Westmoreland were all still celebrating the seemingly insatiable demand for a piece of Barbados coming from primarily the British nouveux riche and trust fund types, now all of a sudden that market has disappeared.  One now has to wonder whether the plans recently announced to begin construction of a new marina near Six Mens next month isn't simply just more singing in the dark also.

 

    

Secret Caribbean's Barbados Coverage Disappointing

"I found Trevor McDonald's portrayal of Barbados so dissapointing and was left wondering what impression it gave to anyone who has not been lucky enough to visit...probably that it is an overdeveloped playground for the uber rich only.Most of the programme was spent discussing Sandy Lane and Port St Charles and the high end developments, no mention of the ordinary people who for me make the island so special, neither did it show any of the beautiful scenery that we are all so familiar with, there was a 10 second snapshot of the coastal highway and that was it! What a shame it did not examine the fascinating contrasts between North, South, East & West and some of the islands history and rich culture instead..."  robiv

Click here for more comments and feedback.

Apes Hill In Media Spotlight

"SIR CHARLES WILLIAMS and his Apes Hill polo team have done Barbados proud on the fieldsof England.

Yesterday, they won the prestigious Queen's Cup polo final at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park in Surrey.

Speaking to the DAILY NATION by telephone from the grounds just after accepting the cup from Queen Elizabeth II, an elated Sir Charles said: "Words cannot describe my feelings or that of the team. It was a nail-biting finish and great jubilation for all of us.

"This is the third year I have sponsored the team and never in my wildest dreams did I expect to win the cup this soon. It's truly an incredible feeling."

Playing against Sumaya, both teams were locked at 11-11 at the end of the sixth and final chukka. It took England's three-goal handicapped player Charlie Hanbury moments into the extra chukka o seal the deal for Apes Hills with a well executed shot."

http://www.nationnews.com/news/local/sir-charles-polo-glory-CPT-FRONT-PAGE-OTHER

Apes Hill Lands On Golf.com

"Demand has been so relentless that in the new year Landmark will begin developing the next phase at Apes Hill, which will include a new nine holes and 200 or so half-acre lots that are expected to bring an average of at least $750,000 apiece. Barbados has long been the warm-weather destination of choice for the upper crust of England and Ireland — the Concorde used to make twice-weekly trips from London in season — and Barton says of his clientele, "Either these people don't read the newspaper, or they're so rich they never have recessions." He knows it's the latter..."

Click here for entire Golf.com article.

Apes Hill Club In Hot Water Again

We all saw this coming.  How did the Apes Hill Club miss it?  It all stems from the continuing secrecy and deliberate attempts to keep the public uninformed over the true nature and scope of the Apes Hill project in the heart of the Apes Hill, Water Hall and Orange Hill communities.   Of course, I am referring to the battle of words which erupted in the local media last weekend over the water situation at Apes Hill and surrounding areas.  I am sorry but rehashing all the wonderful things you are doing for Barbados does not cut it when you can’t flush your toilet for lack of water, but when you look through your window you see hundreds of acres of grass being artificially watered.

Ms. Roach was correct in pointing to the lack of community involvement on the part of the developers as the true cause of the bad feelings on the part of residents.  This blogger was attacked for stating just that last year by a nitpicking Apes Hill Club enthusiast.  What is so hard about Apes Hill Club sitting down with the people in the local area even at this late stage of the game to discuss what will impact the lives of residents in the area for generations to come?  Blurbs in the media from time to time mainly intended to drum up sales for the mcmansions under construction are not enough.  This blogger is not a prophet nor the son of one but there is more trouble coming down the pike when the Apes Hill Beach Club clashes with the people of Speightstown over the little beach at Goddings Bay. 

See also:
http://www.nationnews.com/editorial/302310112667893.php
http://www.nationnews.com/story/292784105381933.php
http://www.nationnews.com/editorial/301271664536898.php

Porting Cricketing Skills To Golf

Rendering of the clubhouse at Apes Hill where as a property owner Brian Lara has an automatic membership.

"RETIRED West Indies batting superstar Brian Lara is among 100 local amateur golfers that will vie for a spot at the BMW World Golf Championship at the Jockey Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina from December 1 to 7.

And in doing so he will be among the history makers as the first group of TT golfers to contest both the qualifiers and the World Championship tournaments..."

Click here for entire T&T Newsday article.

Polo team gets new quick-dry,antibacterial, UV protecting shirts

click image to enlarge

"La Martina is delighted to announce that the Apes Hill Club Barbados polo team have been chosen to launch their new technical hi-performance dri-fit polo shirt..."

Click here for full article.

Brian Lara In On Apes Hill

Every few months we go through these exercises where Sir Charles boasts to the press about how well land sales to foreigners are doing at Apes Hill. Today’s article in the Nation about Apes Hill is no exception as he seems to relish the free publicity to hawk his project with the usual name-dropping of one or two of his celebrity clients. This time around it is former West Indies cricket captain - Brian Lara. I suppose Lara should feel right at home at Apes Hill as neighbor of England’s cricket captain - Michael Vaughn, whose name Sir Charles also dropped last year.

So, basically, we have learned nothing really new about Apes Hill from this exercise. We already know (according to Mac Fingall) that “Barbados belongs to Trinidad” so there is no real surprise that Trinidadians are the majority land owners at Apes Hill. Bajans still cannot fish off Tobago without being arrested even though we took the Trinidadians to international court over it, but Trinidadians can apparently buy whatever they want in Barbados including Shipping & Trading and the vast majority of Apes Hill. I suppose it helps when they own the very bank - Barbados National Bank - bankrolling the enterprise. Hey, I am not knocking regional integration, but at a time when there is an obvious crisis for access to land for housing for Barbadians is it too much to ask for a little fairness on the part of Trinidadians and the Bajans who are facilitating them?

We all know and understand that Barbados needs the foreign exchange and tourism development is the way to get it, but the critical question continues to be - at what costs? We have already lost the south and west coasts and now with these huge land-grabbing inland developments like Royal Westmoreland, Sandy Lane, Apes Hill, Lion Castle, Sugar Hill and Black Bess it looks like the very heart of the country is being ripped out. Do we really need more gated communities like Port St. Charles which cannot even successfully support a single restaurant, and maintenance people have to be walking around turning on showers every few weeks just so they would work for the two or three weeks of the entire year when the apartments are occupied?

Sir Charles Giveth...

Sir Charles Williams, the mover and shaker behind Apes Hill who recently stirred up a hornets nest with his remarks calling for the shutting down of the cement plant at Checker Hall, is in the news again but this time in a more charitable frame - donating a parcel of land in Redmans Village, St. Thomas to the University of the West Indies. It does not sound like either the university or Sir Charles knows what to do with the land other than that he wants the “Mandela” name associated with it in perpetuity. Although a lot of Christians in Barbados will have trouble with his apparent comparing Mandela with Jesus Christ, I am sure the vast majority of all Barbadians appreciate the gift all the same.

Of course, it cannot hurt too that the land is in the same neck of the woods as the plot where Sir Charles wants permission to build the largest mall in the English-speaking Caribbean next door to his Millennium Heights high end residential development, and down the hill and up the road from all those luxury villas and whatnot he is building at Apes Hill. After all, those people have to shop too like everyone else, right? Even Rihanna shopped when she came to Barbados around Christmas last year and she now owns a spread at Apes Hill, thanks again to Sir Charles and the Government of Barbados. Perhaps when she gets tired under her umbrella-ella-ella at Apes Hill she can shop till she drops at Welches, St. Thomas. But, of course, any connection with Redmans Village, St. Thomas would just be tangential, right?

Should West Coast Beaches Be Widened

Click here to vote.

Under Rihanna's Umbrella

Grammy-winning singing sensation, Rihanna, just landed herself a prime piece of property at the Apes Hill Club compliments of the Government and people of Barbados. The announcement was made last Thursday night by the new Prime Minister of Barbados, David Thompson, at an open-air concert in Independence Square, Bridgetown, Barbados to honor the singer for her recent Grammy win for her hit song “Umbrella.” Thousands of Bajans turned out to welcome the singer home and to witness her being designated as a Youth and Cultural Ambassador of Barbados. To seal the appreciation of the people of Barbados for her success in putting the tiny 166 sq. mile island on the music and cultural map the government gave her a piece of land in the 5-star golf and polo resort under development at Apes Hill in St. James overlooking the west coast.

Rihanna joins a growing list of rich and famous people including England Cricket Captain, Michael Vaughan, who have already purchased properties at the prestigious resort. The 470 acres US $1 billion resort boasts an 18-hole Pete Dye/Greg Norman golf course (under construction), a polo field (completed) - home of the Apes Hill Polo Club at Waterhall, St. James, and plans for 200 villas, 150 townhouses and a 5-star hotel and spa. Rihanna will also have access to the resort’s recently opened beach club a few miles north of the property at Speightstown in St. Peter. Needless to say, the owners of the Apes Hill Club will be hoping to cash in on Rihanna’s celebrity to sell the resort and are doubtlessly singing along with her - “When the sun shines, we’ll shine together - Told you I'll be here forever - You can stand under my umbrella-ella-ella….”


Jentillia

Apes Hill Gets A Beach

Click image to enlarge

Just two months after Royal Westmoreland opened it’s beach club on Mullins Beach (the old Mullins Beach Bar & Restaurant and the former Suga Suga Spa) the Apes Hill Club has joined them on the beach. The prestigious Polo - Golf - Tennis - Fitness Centre - Spa under construction at Apes Hill, St. James is setting up its beds and beach umbrellas on Goddings Bay off Queen Street in Speightstown, St. Peter less than a mile north of the Royal Westmoreland Beach Club at Mullins also in St. Peter. The signage on Queen Street in now up and Goddings Bay is destined to become a busier beach - not that it was not busy enough already with Cobbler’s Cove Hotel on its south end and Schooner Bay condos on its north end and several upmarket villas and condos in between them including the one previously owned by the late Hollywood actress, Claudette Colbert, who hosted President Ronald Reagan on his early 1980s visit to Barbados. Taxi and tour bus drivers still stop to point out the mansion to cruiseship visitors and other tourists.

One would have thought the Apes Hill Club would have been looking to share beach facilities with either the Port St. Charles Marina or the St. Peter’s Bay Condos under construction in Road View, St. Peter since they are/were associated with the same famous people. Why share when you can have your own! Especially so, when you are not hemmed in by the “highway” (Route 1) as is the case with the Royal Westmoreland Beach Club. Consequently, it makes for a much quieter and more secluded location for a beach club - not to mention the more space. The beach itself is on par with any on the west coast although much narrower now as a result of ongoing west coast beach erosion. Also, being in Speightstown it offers Apes Hill Club members and guests a lot more to do than just sitting around on the sand including visiting the recently opened museum at Arlington House a few steps away also on Queen Street.

So, the big question now is - will the other landlocked luxury resort under construction in the area, Apes Hill’s neighbor - Banyan Tree Golf Resort - at Black Bess, St. Peter, be joining the beach party in the near future. Its parent company - Bacassa Development Ltd. which has completed the landlocked Battaleys Mews near Mullins and are re-developing the also landlocked old Porters Sugar Factory in St. James for residential and commercial tourism related use - already owns Turtle Nest - the beach villa to the south of Royal Westmoreland Beach Club’s beach bar. It is currently still being rented as a beach villa but with Royal Westmoreland and now Apes Hill realizing that even golfers when they come to Barbados still want a beach the pressure must be on Bacassa to turn Turtle Nest into yet another west coast beach club for guests of landlocked resorts. Of course, that’s if turning Turtle Nest into a beach club wasn’t the original idea behind its purchase in the first place given the promotional video out there on the Internet which starts out selling the more than two miles inland Black Bess/Banyan Resort with a clip pointing to Mullins Beach and Turtle Nest circled in red.

Click image to enlarge

www.chatteljentillia.info