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Oceanside Farms - Another Las Olas?

SawMan

I was surprised to see this real fluff piece today on a new coastal development touted as a "luxury agrihood community" in Puerto Cayo offering "luxury farm houses."



Here's the Oceanside Farms site:

Can this "Ring of Fire" development possible succeed?  Anyone hear about it?

See also

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OsageArcher

The "pictures" of the residences are not actual photographs but well-done computer graphics architectural renderings.

The prudent thing would be to wait and see - and perhaps get a report from someone on the ground, as to the status and progress of this community which is pitched to well-heeled gringos, not Ecuadorians - which means the prices will be high (no prices posted, you must inquire), but the high prices will be justified by appealing to "sustainability" and "organic" and "renewable energy".

They claim the development uses - not "will use", but present tense "uses" - "solar lighting exclusively" and for potable water "taps into a coastal aquifer located beneath our site and sourced from the Cotopaxi volcano glacier in the Andes mountains".  And further, "Our residences incorporate passive cooling and heating and are primarily powered using solar energy."

I think that means there will be no "traditional" heating and cooling systems that can be relied on! 

I don't think the claim can be verified that their water comes/will come from a "coastal aquifer located beneath our site and sourced from the Cotopaxi volcano glacier in the Andes mountains" - Cotopaxi is at least 200 miles away as the condor flies...I strongly doubt there is any under-the-mountain pathway from the Cotopaxi glacier to the Manabí province on the coast...

This report from 1998 on water resources of Ecuador makes no mention of some supposed aquifer that is from the Cotopaxi glacier.  But it does give an in-depth assessment by province of where the water comes from:



And no mention of sewer, or how electricity will be generated/delivered, although they claim "grey-water reuse and biodigestor systems" and "solar power" as well as optional electric car charging stations.  And high-speed fiber optic internet!  And all this luxury including a farm where you can pick exotic fruits and vegetables on just 25 acres...

I would be very skeptical indeed.  They are long on promises but short on actual pictures - it's all CGI.  What they promise is more state-of-the-art and advanced by any measure than almost anywhere in the world!  But this sounds like the perfect development for people with more money than brains, and who do not have a problem throwing their money away.  Hey, maybe they can get some of the Las Olas people to buy there!  If they have any money left...

HGQ2112

As I do, whenever I post on the topic of real estate ... by way of full disclosure, I am a real estate investment consultant, with client interests remaining in Ecuador, though we have the country presently rated a "Sell". That about covers it.

My limited view, and at this juncture we really are talking ... limited, is that first, you can't judge any one project by another project's past failure. Projects have zero to do with each other, unless it is the same principals in charge of the varying projects. So, whether the last project went belly up or was a raging success ... it has zero to do with the present project. Any other analysis is tainted and unfair.

Secondly, the clear mark of a sustainable project is whether the development/construction entity has enough money in pocket to at least launch the project. For us, this means at least being able to provide proof of land ownership for the entire development site ... and the ability to at least build one model home or unit. Some call this "skin in the game". The oceanfront of Ecuador (and many other nations) is dotted with the failed dreams of worn signs and corroding entry way arches that once defined the location of someone's broken dream ... heavy on hope ... light on cash. If someone is funding their dream solely on other people's money (opm) ... meaning ... yours ... then run .. fast ... in the opposite direction.

I don't have enough details on this project to judge. If your interest is casual ... stand back ... wait ... watch. If your interest is strong ... contact the project principals ... ask dozens of questions ... and demand all answers be provided in writing, with proof of documents attached.

marcomueses

Your comment is explicit.
I for one, live in Tonsupa- Esmeraldas where there is no an expat community nor exclusive projects designed for expats. However, just for general  information, this town is going through a development state.  Big hotel chains have started investing. Construction of Ocean front buildings are obvious. Soon, this "hidden" beach town will become a highly sought place for expats.
It is time to considering exploring this area without the need of exposing to unknown outcome projects. There is plenty of real state for sale in this area, from empty lots, apartments, Villas, and houses for sale.
Just my humble opinion.

MM