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Media Coverage
The Edmonton Journal, October 7, 2007 Seaside drama at Wyndansea; Condo-hotel, oceanfront villas and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course By Alison Appelbe Please scroll down for the article.
Seaside drama at Wyndansea It’s a somewhat paradoxical image — a luxury condominium hotel and signature golf course nestled into an impossibly rugged stretchof the outer Vancouver Island coast. But golf great Jack Nicklaus has reportedly given this Ucluelet peninsulalocation of the $650-million Wyndansea Oceanfront Golf Resort a “triple wow” (well, his 18-hole golf course at least), so its big-time investors must be onto something. In fact,promoters at S&P Destination Properties,the global agent for the B.C.-based developer Marine Drive Properties, are bullish about what is unquestionably an exotic location. Says sales director BJ Turner: “It’s a one-of-a-kind site—350 acres on signature coastline. I don’t know where else in Canada or the U.S. you could find something like this—especially in the Long Beach area. We’re really, really excited.” The property lies just north of Ucluelet (population 2,000 and growing—fast), and south of Halfmoon and Florencia bays. Continue north on the Pacific Rim Highway and you’ll come to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (embracing Wick an innish Beach and Long Beach). The remainder of the 41-kilometre highway terminates at Tofino. On 5.6 km of spectacularly rocky, indented and islet-strewn coast line at Ucluelet, Marine Drive Properties is building a $250-million strata condo-hotel, as well as oceanfront villas and a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. In keeping with the drama of the location, architect Ron Lea, of Folio Architecture of Vancouver, has delivered what’s been dubbed a “showcase” development. “The vision for Wyndansea combines a sense of respect for a special place, and the guiding principles of luxury and sustainability,” says Marine Drive CEO Elke Loof Koehler, who also built the attractive Tauca Lea Resort and Spa within Ucluelet. Adds Lea: “We believe it will be one of the most sustainable hotels in the world, and the premier golf resort on the west coast of North America.” In discussion of this well-promoted project, the subject of the Jack Nicklaus course comes up irst—both because the promoters are highlighting it, and because a few critics have argued that this rainswept coast is not a good golf location. Turner’s rebuttal is that the WestCoast summer is long and relatively dry. And that given that the natural slope, vegetation and ocean views have all been respected, he believes that the golf course, and the villas surrounding it, some of which have sold for in excess of $2 million, will be a major success. The concrete condo-hotel, curving around the ocean’s edge, will have 175 one- and two-bedroom and penthouse suites on several widely terraced levels. Suites will come fully furnished on a “modern sensual” theme, with classic or historic touches. “Five-star” services will include concierge, valet, and housekeeping. There will be a fine-dining restaurant and beach level bistro, spa and fitness centre, and Olympic-length indoor- outdoor salt-waterpool. A hot pool will be located over a surge channel up which the oceanwater rushes to spectacular effect. The complex will include facilities for corporate meetings or retreats. But what Turner and others are ultimately emphasizing is the intention of the developer to meet the gold-level standards of the international rating system known as Leadership in Energyand Environmental Design (LEED). Among features of Wyndansea will be the use (and reuse) of regional materials such as wood, stone and water. Natural open spaces will be protected or restored. Landscaping will feature indigenous and drought-resistant plants. Storm-water runoff will be managed with wetlands and filters. Roofs will be green, where possible. Furniture will be of regionally grown, certifiably sustainable product. Plumbing fixtures will be low-flow,and interior finishings will be of low or no toxicity. Geo-thermal systems utilizing seawater, tidalpower and solar energy are under consideration. Says Turner: “Architect Rea’s design pays tribute to the land as much as it blends in.” Designers of the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Canadawork with the environmental steward, Audubon International, to ensure that their courses are respectful of nature. Battery operated Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) may soon be seen rambling over the site. A public access trail has been diverted away from bear habitat. Parking will be underground. This Ucluelet-Tofino region is a roughly three-hour cross island drive from the BC Ferries terminal at Nanaimo. At present, the only scheduled air service to the regional Tofino- Ucluelet Airport is a short-haul commuter service from Vancouver. Marine Drive Developments is therefore spearheading an effort to expand and update the facility to enable it to attract larger carriers and regional jets. It’s also adding a deep-water marina at Ucluelet, and additional seaplane access. Condo-hotel units begin at just under $500,000. A presentation centre is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the 15th hole — one of five holes where golfers, says Turner, “play over water.” For more information, visit www.wyndansea.com. Or, as Turner advises, call 1-888-898-8568 to chat with an agent.
For additional information regarding the project, click on the logo: 
Reprinted from The Edmonton Journal |
