Avatar

Sotavento updates

by timixtapa ⌂ @, Ixtapa, México, Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 15:49 (838 days ago)

Anybody have any news about the Sotavento Condo development ?

--
Tim Sullivan
http://www.ixtaparealestate.com
https://www.facebook.com/IxtapaRealEstate/

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 16:05 (838 days ago) @ timixtapa

There is a little work going on, they are putting a structure in under what appears to be the old parking garage. No visible work on the condos.

We saw several cement trucks go down the access road last week.

Banditos now operates the "Beach Club."

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by timixtapa ⌂ @, Ixtapa, México, Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 16:25 (838 days ago) @ Talley Ho

There is a little work going on, they are putting a structure in under what appears to be the old parking garage. No visible work on the condos.

We saw several cement trucks go down the access road last week.

Banditos now operates the "Beach Club."

Thank you Tally Ho. I was up in the Preciosa Condo the other day and saw some workers but did not hear any construction noises.

Does anyone know how many buildings and how high above the road they will build?

Tim S.

--
Tim Sullivan
http://www.ixtaparealestate.com
https://www.facebook.com/IxtapaRealEstate/

Sotavento updates

by Toby@Zihua @, Thursday, August 19, 2021, 16:55 (837 days ago) @ timixtapa

Check their quite beautiful we-B.S-ite here ;-)
https://sotaventoresort.com/interactive-villa-map/

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by ZihuaRob ⌂ @, Zihuatanejo, México, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 17:36 (810 days ago) @ Toby@Zihua

Check their quite beautiful we-B.S-ite here ;-)
https://sotaventoresort.com/interactive-villa-map/

Be nice, now. They have a photo of our home on their website. I think it's a lovely website!

Sotavento updates

by Bill Fun, Thursday, August 19, 2021, 08:46 (837 days ago) @ timixtapa

I find this all unbelievable. It seems that about 15 years ago we viewed one of their units and got a sales pitch. The unit was beautiful but all the other parts of the building were just a concrete shell at most. Now 15 years later not much has been done.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by CMFLYNN @, World, Friday, August 20, 2021, 16:05 (836 days ago) @ Bill Fun

I find this all unbelievable. It seems that about 15 years ago we viewed one of their units and got a sales pitch. The unit was beautiful but all the other parts of the building were just a concrete shell at most. Now 15 years later not much has been done.

I'm skeptical after viewing their website in comparison to seeing the progress, (or lack of) on the building. As always, buyer beware.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Dione @, Chicago, IL, Friday, August 20, 2021, 21:43 (835 days ago) @ timixtapa

I think this video link says it all about the Sotovento. Run!

Sotavento updates

by Angelica Polanco, Monday, September 13, 2021, 13:15 (812 days ago) @ timixtapa

Hello everyone.

I work at Sotavento as a Marketing Director and will be happy to address any needed information. :-) We are proud to announce that the NEW Sotavento owner has completed more than 100 real estate acquisitions and development projects throughout North America. Currently, we are working with Brick Ingenieros, a Mexico City-based company. We are thrilled that their 20+ crew
returned to commence construction on April 1st. And have made significant progress. You can check all the latest construction photos on our website Sotavento Gallery or visit our sales center to make an appointment. Also, please subscribe to our newsletter or contact me if you need any further information about the project or Villas available. Please don't forget to visit our Beach Club on the best beach in Zihua.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Timmac @, Steilacoom, WA, Monday, September 13, 2021, 15:58 (812 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

So there is yet another “new owner”? I think this is the fourth owner since the project began many years ago. I’d be very reluctant to buy until this project is actually completed.

Sotavento updates

by Angelica Polanco, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 12:25 (810 days ago) @ Timmac

Hello Timmac

Our group acquired Sotavento about 3 years ago. Having participated in more than 130 successful hotel, resort and residential projects, we have the capacity and experience to see the re-development of our iconic site thru to completion. Development is back on track with a construction team of more than 25 workers working on our site. Is understandable that you want to wait until the project is finished, but we are currently offering sales incentives that you may find attractive. I encourage you to visit our website and sign up for our quarterly Newsletters.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Timmac @, Steilacoom, WA, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 14:57 (810 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

Thank you for the response. We stay at the Catalina so have watched the progress. We were there in mid-April this year and did see a few people working. Understandably with Covid, there did not seem to be substantive progress since we had been there a year earlier. Combined with Covid and the uncertainty of a construction schedules, we would be reluctant to purchase until construction is completed. We have stayed at Catalina for many years and love the location but recognize that Catalina’s future is at best uncertain. Should the situation at Catalina change and Sotavento were finished, it would be something we could,consider.

Sotavento updates

by daytripper, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 15:10 (810 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

Ms, Polanco,

Please be informative and tell me how many units have been sold and are currently being used by the purchasers of said units. Not interested in "deposits to hold" only actual closed deals. Otherwise your project has no credibility.

Thank you.

Sotavento updates

by Angelica Polanco, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 16:39 (810 days ago) @ daytripper

My apologies daytripper but that information is confidential. But I can tell you that the Interactive Villa Map click here on our website is accurate. In our Oceano Building we have SOLD 78% and have only 2 Luxury Villas remaining available. In the Historica Tower we have SOLD 76% and have only 14 Luxury Villas available. In the interactive Villa you can check the 3D floor plans of the remain units.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Timmac @, Steilacoom, WA, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 17:53 (810 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

While I have no reason to doubt the number of units sold and also appreciate the need for confidentiality, my understanding is that construction is ongoing and that no actual units are occupied. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong. What is the projected date of completion? I had been told, prior to Covid, that the projected date was the first quarter of 2021.

Sotavento updates

by Angelica Polanco, Friday, September 17, 2021, 10:15 (808 days ago) @ Timmac

No one on our team ever anticipated a global pandemic and the devastating impact it would have on the progress of Sotavento.
This unprecedented situation caused construction financing challenges and Villa sales to be drastically impeded by travel restrictions. But despite all this, we have been able to retain ownership of the property and actually complete an immense amount of work.
First we commissioned a detailed engineering review of the two existing buildings to assess the feasibility of upgrades to current seismic standards. We determined that the north tower needed to be demolished as it could not be properly upgraded.
Additional work we completed includes:

  • Extensive site stabilization
  • Replacement and upgrading of Infrastructure and services
  • Seismic upgrades to the south tower
  • Weatherproofing the south tower
  • Construction of the beach club and sales offices
  • Construction of the south tower circulation and core areas

As we are emerging from this situation, I assure you that we are working relentlessly to implement every conceivable strategy to advance the project and expedite completion. It is our hope that everyone will be patient, will put the past behind us, support the work we are doing, and have confidence in our ability to achieve success.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Timmac @, Steilacoom, WA, Friday, September 17, 2021, 16:55 (808 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

I do hope you are successful, when completed it will be a nice addition. That said, before contemplating any possible purchase, I’d want it to be finished. There are just too many unknowns at this point.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by ZihuaRob ⌂ @, Zihuatanejo, México, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 17:34 (810 days ago) @ daytripper

Ms, Polanco,

Please be informative and tell me how many units have been sold and are currently being used by the purchasers of said units. Not interested in "deposits to hold" only actual closed deals. Otherwise your project has no credibility.

Thank you.

I believe Srta. Polanco is being informative and courteous. I ask that everyone please remember that while skepticism may be warranted, discourteousness isn't.

Gracias,
La Gerencia

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 19:11 (809 days ago) @ ZihuaRob

Well said.

Sotavento updates

by mcnuttja, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 16:38 (810 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

Hi Angelica,

Would you mind posting a Project Plan with completion dates? Microsoft Project compatible (MPP) file-type preferred.

Thank you,

Jerry

Sotavento updates

by Angelica Polanco, Friday, September 17, 2021, 11:11 (808 days ago) @ mcnuttja

My apologies Jerry but that information is confidential.

Sotavento updates

by mcnuttja, Friday, September 17, 2021, 12:15 (808 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

Why in the world would a Completion Date Plan be confidential?

Sotavento updates

by Angelica Polanco, Friday, September 17, 2021, 14:27 (808 days ago) @ mcnuttja

A detailed Project Plan in the format that you asked before is confidential, but the Completion of the Project is forecasted to be Winter 2022.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Timmac @, Steilacoom, WA, Friday, September 17, 2021, 16:59 (808 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

While I hope you are correct, finishing in the next 6 months seems to be quite optimistic.

Sotavento updates

by daveJ, Friday, September 24, 2021, 13:19 (801 days ago) @ Timmac

I bought a unit in 2008 and have lived through the all the setbacks but at this time I wouldn’t sell my unit (I know, no one would buy but if I could sell, I wouldn’t). I knew the risk, similar unit in Hawaii cost three times as much and I couldn’t afford that. I also want to be on the beach, not three streets away, so at the time it seemed like a good deal. Over the years the people who bought in early found each other, many who follow this site, and we all agreed to hang in there. There were many opportunities when even one of us could have forced the project into bankruptcy, but the project’s location caused all of us to conclude it would someday be completed. I was there in 2019, when the north tower was demolished, an indication that new money flowed into the Sotavento, and hopped to move in around late 2020. Alas, Covid struck, again delaying everything. I’m now hope to enjoy Christmas 2022 in my unit. I also hope my unit will earn enough revenue when I’m not there to cover the condo fees and pay for all my sunset margaritas at Patty’s. Would I buy into this project today? Depends if you want to be on the beach or three streets away.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Timmac @, Steilacoom, WA, Friday, September 24, 2021, 15:39 (801 days ago) @ daveJ

Congratulations on getting in on the ground floor. That said, looking at an S&P 500 index found from 2008-2021 the return would have been around 325% or about 11.25% annually. Didn't it essentially go bankrupt a couple of times anyway, since the current developer is the third that has been involved. I do hope for it's success, but there is no way in the world, given the 13 year history of development, I would buy now. I hope that they do finish as predicted, but wouldn't bet a lot on it. Perhaps, I can be one of those that helps pay your condo fee. Years ago I might have considered buying, but although we are both healthy now, at some point in the future we won't be and I don't think when that time comes I would be comfortable living in Zihuatanejo given the state of medical care there. While there are plenty of places in Mexico where the care is equivalent to care in the states, Zihuatanejo unfortunately has a ways to go.

Sotavento updates

by DanCip, Sunday, March 06, 2022, 13:07 (638 days ago) @ daveJ

My wife & I have been visiting Z every year since 2004 and we've always been interested in purchasing a unit at the Sotenvento which was always advertised as new construction "coming soon". On June 17, 2015 we committed and "contracted" with Trevor to reserve Unit 2015. We offered to put money down to demonstrate our commitment to purchase but Trevor told us that he didn't have the capabilities to process our credit card but told us not to worry about that because we had his word that this unit would be reserved for us. We visited our unit several times on several visits while they were under construction (each time offering to put down a deposit).

On or around September 2018 we received we call from Aaron Swartz telling us that Trevor was no longer sales manager the project (its a shame because over the years we liked spending time with him) and that they would NOT honor our request and told us that the unit that we had reserved for $375,000 could only be offered to us for ~$550,000 because of their zoning costs (see communications below).

Well needless to say we could not afford to pay that high-of-a-price. We asked from some kind of a discount on the unit since we had been waiting for 3 years for this opportunity but they were a firm "NO". So we had to walk away from our dream purchase. Frankly, based on my personal experience, I wouldn't trust them. For us they didn't keep their commitments.

aaron.schwarz@sotaventoresorts.com
Fri, Oct 19, 2018, 7:21 PM

to me

Hello Mr. XXXXX

My name is Aaron Schwarz and I am the new Director of Sales and
Marketing for Sotavento Residence Club. As you have seen from our
monthly updates, construction is now in full swing and initial occupancy
is slated for Winter 2019.
I am writing you concerning unit 105, which you have reserved. Several
exciting changes have occurred with this condo that I would like to
discuss with you. The most significant is regarding the Federal Zone. As
you are aware, the previous zone cut directly through unit 105, meaning
that the majority of the terrace could not actually be owned by you.
After considerable time and expense, the Mexican government has agreed
to push out the limits of the zone to allow 105 to be a complete unit,
without split ownership. The upside is that this obviously means the
condo you have reserved can be entirely yours, but has had an additional
price premium attached to it because of the expanded square footage and
the cost of having the Federal Zone moved.
Please let me know when we are able to speak by phone so that I am able
to walk you through the various changes and options.

Best Regards.

Aaron Schwarz

Sotavento updates

by Padrino ⌂ @, San Diego/Rosarito, Sunday, March 06, 2022, 14:11 (638 days ago) @ DanCip

This is why there are lawyers and contracts. However, one wonders if a down payment and a sales contract would have sufficed in this particular instance.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Sunday, March 06, 2022, 14:40 (638 days ago) @ Padrino

Interestingly, there has been at least one person living at Sotovento for several months.

Sotavento updates

by Toby@Zihua @, Friday, December 02, 2022, 16:41 (367 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

Hello Sra Polanco,
Any updates you could share about the new Delivery date of the Sotavento project?
Winter 2022 is just 20 days away, I didn’t see much differences since last spring.
Thank you

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Friday, December 02, 2022, 18:49 (366 days ago) @ Toby@Zihua

Start a new thread, please. We paddle by them on the water and drive by them on the road most days. They are doing "things." Wish they would do shitloads more!

Sotavento updates

by jjjorge, Friday, April 21, 2023, 16:45 (227 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

Sotavento completion projected for WINTER 2022 you say? hmmm ;-)

As the Sotavento marketing machine fires back up in Spring of 2023, I thought I might circle back to this message board...

Sotavento updates

by Keytime @, Friday, April 21, 2023, 19:18 (226 days ago) @ jjjorge

And at last count there were 6 men working on the structure. So, you can copy and paste your message 12 months from now and the results will be the same. Based on my experience, they will be entering the maintenance mode before the enter the completion mode.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by ZihuaRob ⌂ @, Zihuatanejo, México, Monday, September 13, 2021, 16:08 (812 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

Hello everyone.

I work at Sotavento as a Marketing Director and will be happy to address any needed information. :-) We are proud to announce that the NEW Sotavento owner has completed more than 100 real estate acquisitions and development projects throughout North America. Currently, we are working with Brick Ingenieros, a Mexico City-based company. We are thrilled that their 20+ crew returned to commence construction on April 1st. And have made significant progress. You can check all the latest construction photos on our website Sotavento Gallery or visit our sales center to make an appointment. Also, please subscribe to our newsletter or contact me if you need any further information about the project or Villas available. Please don't forget to visit our Beach Club on the best beach in Zihua.

Gracias por la actualización, Angélica. Es un gusto conocerte. ¿Tienes mucho tiempo en Zihuatanejo?

Sotavento updates

by Angelica Polanco, Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 11:50 (810 days ago) @ ZihuaRob

Hola ZihuaRob

Mucho gusto también y gracias por la oportunidad de partcipar en este chat. Puedo contestar en ambos idiomas, en inglés y español. Me encanta Zihua y llevo con el equipo de Sotavento 1 año y medio.

Sotavento updates

by DanCip, Monday, October 24, 2022, 14:40 (406 days ago) @ Angelica Polanco

I checked your link on “current” photos and was directed to a 404 error message?.. Are there any updated photos? My wife & I were there in April, next door, and I only saw a few workers on property. There were some intermittent sounds of construction. The one thing we did hear all day & night, up till about 10:30 PM, was the constant disco/house beat music playing at Bandido’s Restaurant & BAR (kinda ruined the beach surf sound vibe).

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Monday, October 24, 2022, 14:50 (406 days ago) @ DanCip

Construction is moving along about at the same speed.

It's no longer Banditos, but the Sotovento Beach Club. To our knowledge it is now a place to rent a chair and get food. I don't think it's open at night.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Timmac @, Steilacoom, WA, Monday, October 24, 2022, 17:53 (406 days ago) @ Talley Ho

They have called it the Sotavento Beach Club since the beginning I think. In the past the food service was provided by Bandido’s. Perhaps this has been changed.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Monday, October 24, 2022, 17:57 (406 days ago) @ Timmac

Definitely has changed. No Banditos presence, and the food selections are limited, at least have been for months. Just checked, they don't have a menu posted now.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Timmac @, Steilacoom, WA, Monday, October 24, 2022, 17:59 (406 days ago) @ Talley Ho

Remember too that in this very thread completion was going to be winter 2022. Missed yet another one.

Avatar

Sotavento updates

by Talley Ho @, Playa la Ropa, Monday, October 24, 2022, 18:28 (405 days ago) @ Timmac

:megusta: