BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ALTHOUGH many businesses have been battered by the on-going global financial crisis, top officials for the Christophe Harbour development project have announced significant real estate sales and has pledged its continued support to the government and people of St. Kitts.
According to a January 19 press release, during the company’s 2009 release of real estate and marina slip offerings, Christophe Harbour Real Estate has recorded almost US $40 million in Founders’ home-site sales and slip commitments. Also, the company was able to garner in excess of US $60 million in reservations with US $150 000 to $200 000 deposits entered for single family villas on the oceanfront at Major’s Bay.
Executed contracts for select oceanfront and hillside homes totalled US $30 million while another $8.5 million came from reservation deposits received for marina slips sold at the planned mega-yacht harbour on the island’s Southeast Peninsula.
Chief Operating Officer LeGrand Elebash informed SKNVibes, “Regardless of the financial and economic climate, the number of reservations is a significant sign of strength for all of our projects. The market has now embraced St. Kitts; we continue to see positive responses from visitors as we also witness increasing numbers of visitors to the island. St. Kitts is now on the radar. The number of inquiries we received is amazing! People are visiting and falling in love with the island and the vision for Christophe Harbour. This validates our commitments to the island especially in view of the economic crisis.
“We are not completely unaffected but it remains necessary for us to watch our budget and be careful how we spend. We are pleased to report though that the projects are going along well: we are currently constructing the golf course and we anticipate the start of the first phase of constructing the Marina during the second quarter of this year as planned.”
Elebash said things are also “going well” in preparation for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and indicated that between August and September of this year, the development company plans to begin preparing the earthworks for the hotel and the construction of its first beach club at Sandy Bank Bay.
The Chief Operations Officer stated that the development company has employed many Kittitians and anticipates a continued trend as it provides employment opportunities for locals in the various areas throughout the company. He also stressed that local contractors and skilled artisans have also been involved in the development project.
Elebash said the company has created the Christophe Harbour Foundation, funded by proceeds of sales, to allow the company to be able to make more meaningful direct contributions to the nation.
