At the same time, only 30% of those who buy real estate in golf projects are going to pick up clubs at all, and only 10% make a purchase specifically in order to be able to play. For the remaining 70% of buyers, the presence of a golf course as part of the project means a high level of the project, good ecology, prestige, good service and developed infrastructure.
Residential golf resorts have become widespread in the United States, as well as in European countries such as Spain and Portugal. But in the Eastern Mediterranean, this niche is still relatively free, although the climatic conditions for playing golf here are ideal. The prospects for the development of golf resorts in Cyprus are especially good, where this type of real estate is very lacking.
Prestige and ambition
At the moment, there are only three active 18-hole golf courses in Cyprus. Two of them are located 20 km from Paphos towards Limassol, next to each other. Firstly, it is a well-known Aphrodite Hills resort, which has received many prestigious awards in its time. It is built in the same style, has a diverse infrastructure and a five-star Intercontinental Hotel. Unsurprisingly, real estate here is quite expensive. The second golf complex also has a large selection of real estate, although at some distance from the golf course itself, called Secret Valley Golf and Country Club.
The third golf course, Tsada Golf Course, is located 15 km north of Paphos, near the village of Tsada, among the picturesque hills. Here, at an altitude of about 500 m above sea level, there is more greenery than on the coast, and it is easier to breathe, which is especially important in the hot season. This golf course was the first to be opened in Cyprus, back in the early 1990s. However, residential real estate was practically not built here, with the exception of several medium-level villas.
However, in the near future Tsada Golf Course will be reconstructed, after which it will become the center of the new residential resort Minthis Hill. The intentions of the creators of the project are extremely ambitious. "This is a truly extraordinary project, and we hope that it will become an event for the real estate market not only in Cyprus, but throughout the Mediterranean," says Evangeline Eliadou, executive Director of Pafilia Property Developers. "We hope to combine great design, respect for nature, local building traditions, great opportunities for recreation and entertainment and, finally, golf."
Integration into the landscape
The territory of Minthis Hill is simply huge – the complex will occupy more than 4.9 million square meters. A meter of land is as much as 490 hectares! Despite the fact that 600 houses will be built in Minthis Hills, each of which will have a plot of at least 800 square meters, the building density will be unprecedentedly low – buildings will occupy only 2% of the total area. Thus, the load on nature will be reduced as much as possible, and the residents of Minthis Hills will be able to enjoy absolutely natural, picturesque landscapes, in fact, the same ones that can still be seen from the hills surrounding the village of Tsada. But if now the territory of the future Minthis Hills, like most rural areas of Cyprus, cannot boast of lush vegetation, then after more than 50,000 trees are planted here, the views will be even more picturesque.
"Minthis Hills is a special project," says David Blackwood–Murray, director of Lovejoy London, which worked on the master plan of the project. – We were impressed by the natural mountain landscape and the opportunities it opens up to create a unique lifestyle. We have tried to integrate architecture into the landscape, use local natural materials and create an ultra-modern complex that preserves the traditional flavor inherent in rural areas of Cyprus."
"We spent a lot of time studying traditional Cypriot architecture, especially stone houses in mountain villages," adds Rob Stule, head of the British architectural firm Woods Bagot, which designed the buildings. – These houses are perfectly adapted to the landscape and climate, and we wanted to make the most of the centuries-old experience. Stone walls, courtyards, natural ventilation – we creatively reworked all these ideas in a modern style."
Cypriots spend a lot of time outdoors – on terraces or in shady courtyards, and this idea is also reflected in Minthis Hills. Thanks to the efforts of architects, the line between "inside" and "outside" is blurred as much as possible – the living space is not limited by the walls of the house, and thanks to the use of panoramic windows, the landscape becomes, as it were, part of the interior of the house.
Back to nature
In general, Minthis Hills is designed in such a way that homeowners would feel as secluded as possible, being alone with nature. By the way, unlike many other golf resorts, including Aphrodite Hills, there is no plan to build a hotel here. Thus, the number of vacationers who come for a short period of time will be minimal – this increases the privacy of the complex and its comfort for permanent residents.
But such an escape "back to nature" will be combined with the highest level of comfort and service. Residents of Minthis Hills will have access to all the services that luxury hotel guests are used to. The resort will have a health club and a first-class spa, restaurants, tennis courts, and small shops. Well, in just 15 minutes. here in Paphos, you can find almost any services and goods – the infrastructure of this resort town is exceptionally developed.
But back to golf – the main highlight of Minthis Hills. During 2008, the field will be gradually reconstructed, and the game will not stop for a single day. By the beginning of 2009, the construction of a new 10,000 sq. m clubhouse will be completed, which will become the heart of the entire complex. There will be restaurants and bars where you can spend time and receive guests. Well, at the end of 2009, the first owners will already receive the keys to their private houses – the first stage of construction involves the creation of 45 houses. The Minthis Hills resort will be fully completed in 2015.
The project will be officially presented in late spring or early summer, but sales have already begun – this is a great chance for investors to enter into a promising project at the earliest stage. Currently, 11 house design options have been developed, including villas with 3, 4 and 5 bedrooms, bungalows with 3 bedrooms and so–called "small" villas with 2 and 3 bedrooms.
The pricing policy has not yet been finalized, but it is safe to say that prices in Minthis Hills will be quite high, by Cypriot standards. The cost of small villas will probably exceed 500,000 euros, while the most spacious houses are unlikely to cost less than 1 million euros.
The golf industry in Cyprus has a great future ahead – 11 more golf courses will soon be added to the three existing golf courses in Cyprus - this is how many permits the island authorities intend to issue. However, it is not yet known when exactly these complexes will be built, what their infrastructure will be and what level of resort real estate will be built in their composition. Therefore, it is worth getting to know the existing projects as closely as possible, as well as Minthis Hills, the concept of which is really fresh and unusual.
