The Tribune

Stella Maris Village yesterday began construction on a $3 million model show home, the first step in realising its principals’ long-planned Port St George project in north Long Island.

Cartwright’s Construction, and Nassau-based Carib Construction and Project Management Company, have begun work on the ‘Leeward’, marking the first phase of the Stella Maris Village development.

The 7,500 square foot property is located on half an acre of land with views of both the Atlantic and the Caribbean, and when completed will attain a value of around $3 million.

Jon Houghton, Director of Stella Maris Village and his business partner Ian Moorcroft, the company’s chief executive, said the construction would pave the way to greater things.

‘This brings us another step closer to implementing the final phase of our long-term plan, that of facilitating the new proposed, fully permitted, Port St George development, the five-star luxury community on the southern boundary of Stella Maris Village,” Mr Moorcroft said.

Stella Maris Village added that in the first two months of 2014 it had received more than 200 inquiries for land and property from countries such as the US, the UK and the United Arab Emirates.

Loretta Butler-Turner, Long Island’s MP, said in a statement: “This is really good news for employment and businesses throughout the Bahamas, but especially for Long Island.”

Kevin Cartwright, of Cartwright’s Construction, said, ”It is really great to see a start to this work. We hope this is the first of many we build”

Ruben Caputo, the project manager, added: “We’re using Emmedue’s innovative technology here on Long Island for the first time, so we’ll be breaking ground today in lots of ways”.

The spokesperson for the previous landowners, and current operators of the Stella Maris Resort Club, Joerg Friese, added: “I’ve worked alongside this team for very nearly a decade, and this next phase promises to be as exciting and energetic as ever.”

Richard Keyworth, Stella Maris Village’s director of international sales and marketing, added: “In a stunning, ecologically sensitive location such as this, it is incumbent upon us to provide new homes which are sympathetic to the surroundings, and to the needs of an environmentally aware, yet economically astute, property investor.

“New materials and construction methods facilitate this. Stella Maris is already held in high esteem internationally, and we hope to enhance its reputation even further. Exciting investment and lifestyle opportunities exist here.”

After its period of use as a show home, Bill Heath, a long-standing repeat client of the developers, who is currently living in Dubai, will occupy the property.

David Walker, president of the Stella Maris Property Owners Association, said: “I am happy to offer support for this expansion of our settlement, and we’ll welcome all those who wish to participate in our community.”