bali villas and phuket land for sale and lease

Phuket is increasingly attracting investors at the very top end of the market. The hills stretching out from Surin beach have long been known to local expats as ‘Millionaire’s Row’, but now the area south of Naithon Beach is competing for status as the island’s most exclusive neighbourhood.

Located north of Bangtao and the Laguna complex on the island´s west coast, Naithon Beach itself is not as big as some of Phuket’s more popular tourist locations and has therefore been largely overlooked with regard to resort and property development. But the hills at the southern end, before the beach proper, are now peppered with multi-million dollar properties.

The high-end trend in this area began with Trisara, an exclusive villa resort and spa that quickly became a Phuket landmark when it opened in 2004. This super luxury development features a range of pool villas, suites and residential villas with comprehensive management services to guarantee strong rental yields for investors. Owners also enjoy full use of the hotel’s facilities and services at discounted rates, including 24-hour room service, tennis courts, a world-class spa, restaurants, bar and library.

Trisara’s residential element was a hit with investors right from the start with 12 large villas on the resort’s northern headland sold before construction had even begun for prices between US$2m and $12m. “People are simply charmed by the lifestyle here,” explained Anthony Lark, Trisara’s GM, “They appreciate the design, enjoy the service and begin to wonder why they need that holiday home in the South of France. Because of this, Phuket has grown from a regional into a truly global destination.”

With the northern headland now complete, Trisara is extending its residential options with a further 20 villas being constructed on 40 rai of land to the south, facing the beautiful Kata island. Unlike the first phase, which sold mainly to expat buyers from places like Hong Kong and Singapore, the second phase has drawn investors from further afield with buyers from cities like London, Paris and Sydney. “We saw the change in the market and therefore went for low density, with more 2-bedroom options to maximise rental yields,” explained Lark. “We’ve already sold 17 out of 20 villas and are moving ahead with structural completion, which is scheduled for Christmas. The whole of Trisara should be completely finished by mid-2009.”

With the southern villas selling for US$3m to $5m, Trisara, like the Amanpuri before it, certainly proves Phuket’s high-end appeal. Anthony Lark feels Naithon can sustain this high-end development, not least because of the prices achieved. “The land is so expensive here that it simply has to be protected,” he said. “My only hope is that the destination stays healthy as a whole and that the government acts appropriately to sustain the island’s appeal.”

At the Malaiwana Estates, another top-end luxury property development in the Naithon area, half the villas at were sold just six weeks after the development´s launch. The properties are set on land plots from 1-2 rai and are approximately 1000sq.m of construction area. The villas are designed to combine the essence of Thai cultural heritage, with the luxuries and convenience of modern tropical livingUnits in the Malaiwana are priced from Bt85m to Bt125 for the villas and Bt25m for residences.

“It is serene and beautiful,” says managing director on the project, Stephen Paine. “Naithon Beach is truly pristine. Perhaps Phuket´s most beautiful unspoiled beach, as the crowded beaches further south have lost some of their charm. Naithon Beach is classic fine white sand, turquoise water, peaceful, lovely place. A true oasis.”

Paine believes the development´s popularity is down to a number of factors including Malaiwana´s proximity to Naithon Beach, its proximity to Phuket International Airport and the the tranquility of the surrounding area, which is a National Park.The development comprises 19 Estate Villas and a secondary phase of pool residences with an oceanfront beach club. “The villas are almost 50 per cent sold and there is a lot of pre-market interest in the Residences,” explained Paine. “The luxury property market is deservedly strong here. Where else in Asia can you find such a safe, friendly, easy going, beautiful tropical destination.”

Yet another new high-end project in this area is Istana by Hong Kong developers, Prism. Istana will feature just 19, stand-alone properties with large gardens. The development will also allow for opulent 2 Rai plots (nearly 1 acre) with 4-metre buffer zones engineered between each to allow for guaranteed privacy.

Using celebrated designs by Gary Fell from GFAB Architects, Istana boasts a unique fusion of contemporary and traditional architecture. The properties are set on an attractive tropical hillside and each villa promises the finest amenities and amazing views of the ocean and sunsets. In a unique touch, all of the roofs feature gardens or lily ponds, guaranteeing a natural feel, even for villas within sight of each other.

Prism brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to this luxury project, which is the group’s first on Phuket. The company is committed to high standards of design quality with a focus on cohesion between contractors and consultants. Integrated management provided by Bali based BHM, a member of the Elite Havens group, means the level of service and attention to detail promises to be amongst the best in Thailand.

The above-mentioned projects and others like them are redefining the Naithon area as an upmarket haven – a tropical suburb that significantly contibutes to Phuket’s international reputation. Few places in South East Asia can offer the combination of sophisticated amenities and natural heritage available on Phuket and the number of international school pupils is rising, the marinas are being filled with luxury craft and top class eateries abound.

According to Anthony Lark, 2007 was a fantastic year and 2008 is already 20% ahead. If the country its currency remain stable, the high- end boom looks set to continue and communities like the one developing around Naithon will grow as more and more millionaire’s fall for Thailand’s beguiling tropical charm.


 

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