Life's a Beach | Expat Life in Playa del Carmen : Mayan Riviera , 2010, Real Estate

Building in Mexico - Mitch and Sev - Part 3

Rob Kinnon — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:34:00 GMT

I was super curious about how the dry cenote was looking now that it had been opened up a bit, so Mitch and I took a trip down to the job site. A few decisions needed to be made about the retaining wall for the cenote stairs and the "jumping platform" at the end of the pool. Sev had worked up some new drawings that Jeff would need to move forward. Lots of progress made in the past week. It's really starting to look like a house now!

The frame and track for the main gate and door are done and covered in plywood for now.

Retaining wall for the shallow end of the pool. Plumbing and lighting begins as well.

Matching retaining walls for the "hot tub" and the stairs to the cenote

The stairs have been completed

Into the abyss

The cenote getting cleaned out...but what to do with the space?

Next step, the second floor goes on. Stay tuned......

Private Villa for Sale in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere

Rob Kinnon — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

If you have been searching for a private, pristine oceanfront home, this luxurious villa is it! This remarkable villa is situated on 85,900 sqft of land and boasts 330 feet of private white, sandy beach plus lagoon frontage. Aquamarine waters greet you each day in the Sian Kaan Biosphere in Mexico. Offering a relaxed tropical ambiance, this beautiful home provides an exclusive hideaway in the untouched pristine UNESCO wildlife reserve, a space you share with manatees, dolphins, bone fish and many species of exotic birds.

Sweeping ocean views greet you immediately as you enter the home. A 2,000 sqft wood deck flows outward from the house to the Caribbean sea. Another 1,500 sqft rooftop terrace awaits you for sunbathing, stargazing, and enjoying spectacular sunset dinners.

The master bedroom has an exercise area and a Migun thermal massage system with infrared, accupressure points that provide a full body massage. A large walk in closet makes this a functional masterpiece along with a separate large walk in bathroom. The private jacuzzi tub in the master bath over looks the ocean. Two large guest bedrooms, separate from the main house make for a private peaceful experience. Each of the three bedrooms enjoy gorgeous ocean views!

The large, luxurious kitchen with granite countertops and beautifully crafted hardwood cabinets is fully equipped with all stainless steel appliances. Vaulted ceilings keep the space cool and comfortable for a gourmet chef at work! The formal dining room seats up to 8 people and opens up onto the back deck, overlooking the ocean.

Designed and built to comply with the rigorous standards required inside the Biosphere, this exclusive villa is powered entirely with quiet, clean solar energy. No expense was spared in the systems of this home.

Click here for more pictures and property information

Building in Mexico - Mitch and Sev - Part 2

Rob Kinnon — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

I had hoped to be able to post an update before now but life somehow got in the way. Lots of progress being made on site as you will see from the photo update. One big surprise since our last blog entry...a dry cenote was uncovered near (but not in) the shallow end of the pool. The opening has been enlarged a bit for ease of entry and an open space has been found that could be suitable for use as a fun subterranean reading area or meditation room. A wine cellar was suggested but I think the heat and the humidity will not be suitable for keeping wine at a consistently cool temperature. From this opening there is a tunnel that runs out quite a distance, out past the boundaries of the lot. One of the workmen has climbed through quite a way but there is a drop off that will require bringing in a ladder of sorts if they are to investigate any further. It's pretty neat but not as cool as the cenote that the builder, Jeff, has at his house. I'll post some pictures of that soon....

The good news is, the location of the cenote will not in anyway impede the construction or the integrity of the building. Work has been progressing quickly. Sev has been here for the past month so he and Mitch have been spending a lot of time on site making decisions on interior wood for doors and cabinetry, tiles and other finishes. The plans for the electrics and plumbing have also been finalized.

Building in Mexico - Mitch and Sev - Part 1

Rob Kinnon — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:00:00 GMT

As some of you may know, Rob and I have finally decided to settle down and build our home in Mexico. Almost by accident, we found the perfect neighborhood in Xpu Ha, in the jungle about 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. The lots are good sized, very reasonably priced, the development is gorgeous and all the services we need are available, including wireless internet. We are 5 minutes from the beach in Xpu Ha, 10 minutes to Akumal and close to dozens of cenotes.

We have quite a few friends who have also been turned on to this little piece of paradise, including our good friends Mitch and Sev. Rob and I are well into the design process of our dream home in the jungle (a process I plan to carefully document as we go along) but Mitch and Sev have already started their build and have invited us to follow along on the blog. Over the past few weeks the lot was surveyed and cleared, the pool dug and the front wall started. This week, we drove down to watch them pour the foundation.

It's amazing how quickly everything is moving forward and I am really itching to get started on our own build. Although, we are already well initiated to building in Mexico having completed the condos at Marina Turquesa in Puerto Aventuras, I'm sure there will be many challenges that pop up along the way. Rob and I are working with one of the most well known architects in the region and I have full confidence that we are in good hands. Mitch and Sev have designed their own home and are utilizing a local builder who lives in the neighborhood to do the construction. He has built several beautiful homes in this development and they are all lovely. It will be interesting to see how our projects compare in costs and build times and documenting the whole process. I hope you will all enjoy following along.

Building in Mexico - Mitch and Sev - Part 2

What Lies Beneath...Riviera Maya Cenotes

Building in Mexico - Mitch and Sev - Part 3