Costa Blanca, the highly anticipated oceanfront development by Group Metro, one of the largest real estate development corporations in the Dominican Republic, has announced expansion plans to their billion dollar project.  The project will now include a Chris Evert Tennis Center to compliment the championship Greg Norman Signature Golf Course.  In addition, the development includes a world class marina, a marina village, oceanfront condominiums, villas, a private beach and the exclusive founders club.  Group Metro has already achieved tremendous success with the launching of its founders club, which produced almost US$100 million in sales on the first day of ground breaking.

The facilities will house a professional tennis center encompassed by eight tennis courts, and one tournament stadium-style court, as well as pro-shop. Evert explains why she chose Costa Blanca and Group Metro, “Costa Blanca is going to be a wonderful destination in the Dominican Republic.  I look forward to working with the Development team of Group Metro to help facilitate not only a world class golfing facility, but my first Tennis Center in the Caribbean that will feature superior facilities but also unparalleled service for our members and guests.”

Due to the continued demand at Costa Blanca, the developers are now enhancing the master plan, designed by EDSA, to offer a new selection of additional products.  The updated plan now presents buyers with uniquely diverse selection of residences, including half-acre private estate lots for luxury homes of up to 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2).  From modern, sleek condos and private villas to a home directly on the Caribbean sea, Costa Blanca will provide an assortment of sizes and styles to suit every taste.

Juan Dolio, only thirty minutes from the country’s capital, has recently seen an influx of activity with over 10 new projects this year.  The region is quickly becoming the Caribbean’s latest “hot spot” and Costa Blanca is leading the pack as the area’s most prestigious property.

Group Metro has established a formidable international reputation through-out its four decades of experience in both real estate and transportation.  From their landmark property, Metro Country Club, to their oceanfront condominium developments of Costa del Sol, Marbella and Las Olas, Group Metro has become the definitive business for real estate and tourism in the Dominican Republic.  Lead by their visionary CEO, Dr. Luis Jose Asilis, the company has played an integral role in putting the Dominican Republic on the map as a top Caribbean destination.  Group Metro will be one of the first developers in the Dominican Republic to ever provide internal financing to buyers.

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Downward Economy? Not for Residential Resort Costa Blanca by Group Metro
(Miami, FL)-  Last weekend, Costa Blanca - the billion-dollar project of renowned Dominican Republic developers Group Metro, held their launch event with two days of spectacular celebrations in Santo Domingo and Juan Dolio. The project was received by the Dominican Republic and international press with great enthusiasm and unquestionable success.

Costa Blanca, an impressive undertaking that will span across 300 acres of land and coastline in Juan Dolio, will encompass a mega-yacht marina, marina village with retail and commercial space, ten condominium towers, 52 private villas, a tennis village, clubhouses for both tennis and golf, a secured, private beach, and the first signature Greg Norman PGA golf course in the country. The highly-anticipated development will set new standards of luxury in the area, and will bring forth a modern spin on private, high-end communities. With top architects and designers at the helm, residents will find villas with open-air spacing to showcase their wrap-around pools, condos where each and every owner is afforded unobstructed water-front views, and an assurance that every aspect and step of the project is environmentally sound and positively affects the region.

The weekend began with a press conference at the historic Embajador Hotel in Santo Domingo with Greg Norman, legendary golf icon, Steven Ankrom, Vice-President of Sales for Costa Blanca and Doctor Luis Jose Asilis, CEO of Group Metro. Greg Norman, “The Great White Shark,” whose namesake and expertise is behind this ground-breaking course, greeted the press and spoke of his excitement and great faith in Costa Blanca. “Golf has shown tremendous growth in this part of the world and I am very glad to be a part of this absolutely magnificent project,” stated Mr. Norman before congratulating Dr. Asilis.  Mr. Norman also commented on the current state of the economy and how it related to Costa Blanca, “ In many ways, golf and golf course design are economic indicators; we’ve seen it slow in the United States , but not in the rest of the world. New projects must have amenities that capture the imagination of everyone, and that is exactly what is taking place here.” Executives of Costa Blanca who are thrilled and excited to create “the first luxury, high-end golf project on the ocean in Juan Dolio,” spoke of the numerous economic advantages and various job opportunities Costa Blanca will create for locals of the Dominican Republic. When asked about his vision for Costa Blanca, Mr. Norman answered, “First, you look at the ‘least-disturbance approach’, which works perfectly with this development. Our duty is to build the best golf course we can, in the best way, with the best value. It’s not very often that we get the opportunity to build directly on the ocean. From a golfing perspective, when we have the ability to put nine holes on the ocean, it is a very unique opportunity.”

After the press conference, Mr. Norman entered the grand ballroom, where the glittering launch gala was already underway with VIP’s and press excited to learn of the project’s details. Complete with a five-piece string quartet, Costa Blanca lounges, and a white décor theme to showcase the beach atmosphere and luxury of the project’s design, the grand event introduced 1000 of the Dominican Republic’s VIPs and tastemakers to Costa Blanca. Greg Norman made a presentation to the audience and re-visited his excitement over the “amazing transformation that will take place over the next eighteen months.”

The following day, the Founder’s Club - made up of 52 elite individuals who secured reservations as the very first buyers at Costa Blanca, gathered at the invitation-only Founder’s Club Reunion. These members had an early invitation to reserve a spectacular one-time package that included a private villa, two condominiums, a slip in the marina, golf membership for life, and private access to The Lighthouse Lounge and Clubhouse. The event took place onsite in beautiful outdoor tents and allowed the Founders to drink and relax while they surveyed the plots of land that would become the site for their private villas. In a unique and exciting format, Founders were able to choose the individual piece of land for their villa, as well as the condo units they desired, according to the order in which their reservation was received. With law firms onsite to advise and offer guidance, Costa Blanca closed almost $100 million dollars in sales on Saturday alone. Members of the Founder’s Club congratulated each other and toasted their new neighbors with champagne and cigars.

With the immense success of their opening weekend and almost $100 million dollars closed in sales, Costa Blanca has proven that the real-estate market is still thriving and that the Dominican Republic is one of today’s hottest investments.

Source: Grupo Metro

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