Search results matching tags 'Buyer Information' and 'Xpu Ha'

Building in Mexico - Mitch and Sev - Part 3

435836 — 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......

What Lies Beneath.....

435836 — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

So, I though you all might like to see what some of the cenotes look like that have been found in our little Xpu Ha neighborhood. This is the cenote that is on Jeff's lot. He is Mitch and Sev's builder and has completed several homes in the same enclave. His experience dealing with his own cenote has given him invaluable insight as to what they can bring to the process....the good and the bad. With his own property, be decided to make the cenote a real center-point for the back yard plan. As you can see, the pool is built around it with the entertainment palapa (that's a fancy word for bar) serving as an observation point and entry point.

When the opening was found, it was considerably smaller. Jeff decided to enlarge the entry point in order to build a staircase down into the cave. The cavern has been dug out slowly over time and sand brought in to make paths and a more comfortable sitting areas. One of the nicest features is a waterfall created by a recirculating pump which keeps the water in the cave fresh and algae free. It is incredibly dramatic.

Building in Mexico - Mitch and Sev - Part 2

435836 — 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

435836 — 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