Grace Bay Resorts, one of the leading and longest-standing developers and operators of some of the finest resorts and branded residences in Turks and Caicos –– is introducing its newest resort residential offering in Providenciales, The Point, located at the award-winning Point Grace resort, a longtime member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. On the 7th of December 2023, The Point and Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty invited a selected few on an exclusive release of sales.
Positioned alongside this historic beachfront property, this new project follows hot on the heels of Grace Bay Resorts’ stunning success at Rock House.
The Point is slated for completion in 2026 and residences range from $2.1 million two-bedroom casitas, and $2.7 – $3.6 million for two & three bedroom condominiums to $6.0m for four and five bedroom residences. Only two, double story corner Penthouses have been designed, and are priced at $11 million USD each. Early sales for The Point have been strong, with the Grace Bay Resorts’ loyal customer following having already snapped up nearly 50% of the inventory.
Grace Bay Resorts brings its 2 decades of development experience in TCI to The Point, adding this prestigious property to a successful portfolio that includes celebratedresidential and hospitality properties Grace Bay Club, Rock House, West Bay Club and the soon-to-openSouth Bank.
Developer Mark Durliat said The Point is an artful collaboration between SWA Architects and Young Huh Interior Design. It is a modern take on the original Point Grace spirit, incorporating the highest standards in materials &finishes, including 10 ft ceilings, large format Italian porcelain tiling, luxury appliances from Sub Zero and Miele, bath fixtures from Waterworks and solid timber kitchens from renowned Italian designer Scavolini, which include full walls of natural stone.
Here are a few photos from the event.
About Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty (TCSIR) is the premier luxury real estate brokerage firm in Turks & Caicos. Boasting a profound track record and significant foothold in all market segments, particularly new development and trophy properties, TCSIR is the go-to resource for developers, investors, home-buyers and sellers in this highly sought-after destination. With strong leadership backed by the world’s greatest international luxury real estate brand, and a diverse array of international agents representing 15 countries, TCSIR is influential in both the local community as well as the greater real estate industry worldwide. The firm’s signature office is ideally located in uptown Grace Bay with satellite offices at Grace Bay Club, The Palms and Point Grace. For more information please visit http://www.turksandcaicossir.com.
Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty, Venture House, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales info@tcsothebysrealty.com | 1.649.946.4474
Anyone who has lived in the Equatorial zone, or has traveled to the Caribbean/S. America over the years during Christmas season, will be familiar with the Trade-winds. The Trade-winds, dominate most of the tropics and subtropics throughout the world and are a nearly constant (they only drop away during end of September and October) northeasterly wind in our hemisphere, that starts to blow in November of every year. By the time December rolls around we experience whether akin to Aspen, Colorado. Think bright blue skies with the sun beating down, but a cool chill in the air. Substitute snow-capped mountains for swaying palm trees and sandy beaches and you begin to get a feel for the special draw of Turks and Caicos (‘T&C’) during the holiday Christmas period.
Boat trips
Coral is beautiful to look at, but we don’t allow it to be taken out of the sea 🙂
Every December 26th since I was a child, we have enjoyed a Boxing Day boat trip on the Atabeyra. For those with British heritage you’re familiar with the joys of Boxing Day, which for all intents and purposes, is a much less chaotic day than its forefathers Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Irish call it Wren Day, other countries call it St Stephen’s Day, but for all who celebrate it, in practicality it has become a day to relax and unwind after the stress of the holiday season is over, and gather with friends and family to enjoy a final day of good food and great company. If you can enjoy this holiday, or any other day in December on a boat, you’re quids in! Boating is a year-round event in T&C, and it doesn’t stop during Christmas. The weather is beautiful, the sun is shining and we’re still swimming in the ocean. Granted the sea may be a little colder than we locals like it, but there’s no better way to wash off the cobwebs than taking a Boxing Day plunge, and let’s face it, anyone from the Northeastern seaboard or Europe would laugh if they heard us admitting we find it a little cold! The temperature is akin to taking a dip in the Mediterranean during Summer time, refreshingly cool, enough to enliven your skin and leave you feeling renewed and energized.
Inter-island travel is open again
Mudjin Harbour, Middle Caicos
If you, like many, have been confined to your homes/apartments since the outbreak of COVID-19, self-isolating, locked-down and going through the rigmarole of at home schooling like the saint that you are, imagine jumping on a ferry with your family (face mask on of course) and making your way over to North Caicos (population approx. 1,500). From North Caicos, you can rent a car and head over to Middle Caicos on the causeway to explore the caves and bluffs with virtually no one else in sight. Fresh air, clean breezes, big ocean and natural adventures abound in North and Middle Caicos, and are just what the doctor ordered after months and months of quarantine. Sure, you can stay cooped up in your apartment until the frost from winter thaws, or you can safely enjoy all that T&C’s sister islands have to offer, and give your family the gift of a memory they may not have otherwise had.
Outdoor Activities
Tip of the Tail Villa
With the end of the dreaded hurricane season in November, December’s climate is well known as the most hospitable environment for international travelers. We’ve talked about boating and beaching, but there is no end of outdoor activities to take advantage of. With highs in the low 80’s and lows in the high 70’s, December is a perfect time to get on that kayak or paddle-board and explore miles and miles of unspoiled natural environment. Mangroves, the same ecosystem that protects our shorelines during hurricanes, are peaceful and rife with small marine life, turtles and bird watching for the nature lovers out there. There are many places where you can enjoy these activities conveniently just by stepping out of your private villa’s backyard, like Tip of the Tail Villa. Otherwise you can join one of the many operators on a guided tour of these precious ecosystems. I especially like Big Blue Collective who have long been ahead of the game in focusing on small private groups and preservation of the flora and fauna of T&C.
Call me crazy, but without the usual queues of the seasons you receive when you live in the Temperate zone, its tough to know when Xmas is on its way. We tend to live in a perpetual endless summer in T&C, but there are a few key indicators that the Christmas season is well under way. The first of these signs is the lighting of the giant Christmas tree that has long been an annual tradition. In years gone by the space that Seven Stars now occupies, used to be home to one of the first resorts in T&C, the Ramada, and after that it changed hands to the Allegro. Those times are a distant memory now, and it’s hard to imagine a time when Seven Stars wasn’t Seven Stars. The resorts on this prime beachfront land are so varied in aesthetics, but the one common feature, other than the land they’ve occupied, is the lighting of the Xmas tree. That’s the thing about traditions, they stand the test of time.
You may have heard the term “disruptor” being thrown around over the last few years. Uber Eats would be a well known example, as a company that caused radical change to an existing industry or market by means of innovation, in this case to the F&B industry. Air B&B would be another example of a disruptor company for the Hospitality industry. Though we technically can’t categorise COVID-19 as a company, the virus’s advancement worldwide, has caused radical change, not only to the way we do business in all private sectors, but also to the way we live. The term disruptor is somewhat misleading, in that it implies a negative interference with the norm. Though change on any level can be unsettling, the Uber Eats and Air B&B’s of the world have brought positive improvements to the F&B and Hospitality industries, by widening the traditional net of employment and consumer base through convenience and accessibility.
In 2020 the COVID-19 virus has been the disruptor of the Real Estate industry. Our process for selling homes still relies ultimately on the guiding principles of trust and connection with our buyers and sellers, but we have had to pivot quickly to replace what has traditionally been a face to face industry, marked by in person viewings and showings. With the help of the Sotheby’s International Realty brand and the importance placed on the use of technology, thankfully we’ve been in a position to make the most of our new reality and cater to our clients needs by hosting virtual spotlights, creating 3D virtual Matter-ports, and taking buyers on Facetime walk throughs. Below is a list of 6 properties sold, either wholly, or with the assistance of technology.
The Wright House
Listed and sold by Michael Bovell
The Wright House in Chalk Sound, overlooks Silly Creek with waterfront vistas abounding. A perfect example of the power of technology to affect a sale and purchaser. The Wright House was listed in July 2020 and sold after 37 days on market, all, wait for it…virtually. The purchasers were familiar with Turks & Caicos and made contact with the listing agent who toured them through the property on Face time and found a connection for them – a perfect fit of homeowner with home – they loved the decor, the layout, the views, the location, and the property had signed contracts for its purchase within two weeks of the list date for $1.1M.
Villa Rocco
Listed by Michael Bovell, sold by Dee Agingu
Just across the way from The Wright House, in private Silly Creek estate, Villa Rocco, a 4 bedroom waterfront home sold after 65 days on market for $1.5M. In the case of Rocco, both the listing and selling agent were within the Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty family. Again, Face time walk through was the technology of choice for the selling agent to familiarise the purchaser with the property, which was beyond their expectations.
Water’s Edge
Listed by Patrick Staples
An oceanfront classically Caribbean home sits just on the Water’s Edge, as its moniker describes, with south facing views. Charming and idyllic, this 3 bedroom home on .6 of an acre was sold through a combination of the Turks and Caicos Real Estate Association network and technology. At $1.125M, the home sold after approximately 5 months, with a simple Face time walk through via iPhone, but with those views it’s easy to see why.
Haven House
Listed by Dee Agingu, sold by Lisa Lopes
Sensing a theme emerging? Homes between $1-2M located in the area of Chalk Sound/Silly Creek are trending in the last few months. Haven House sold after 85 days on market for $1.1M. The three bedroom home was introduced to the buyers through a physical walk through once the islands opened up officially in July. Matter-ports were the technology of choice for these buyers, who reviewed multiple homes and dollhouse views before they were able to fly in for 48 hours. Once the scope had been narrowed, a Face time walk through was used to reaffirm their love for the property.
The Grandview 302
Listed by Nina Siegenthaler and Richard Sankar, sold by Lisa Lopes
One of the prettiest little spots on the beach, the Grandview has long been an unimposing gentle residential resort with lots of appeal. Even so, the average time between listing and sale for condominiums usually runs between 12 – 18 months. This little beaut sold after 48 days on market from within the Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty family with the aid of a Face time walk through, for $1.5M.
Villa Alamandra
Listed by Nina Siegenthaler, Sold by Imelda Burke
A Balinese dream and the second highest sale price in Silly Creek’s history – Villa Alamandra deviates slightly from the trends above, in that it has been on market a little longer than its neighbouring sales. What makes this story so unique is not the technology employed, Face time walk through was used here as well, but the fact the purchaser was a first time buyer in Turks & Caicos. At a sale price of $2.95M, that is a significant level of trust and investment in the country and the agents brokering this sale, and a reflection of the certainty the buyer had in this property being right for them. The confidence required to bring together the sale could only be achieved through the professionalism of the agents involved and the purchasers ability to see the property live.
In summary, we’re seeing an overall shortening of the length of time properties are sitting on market and a more focused view from buyers looking for the perfect home to ride out the remainder of the pandemic. COVID-19 has disrupted not just our way of doing business for the better, it’s provided buyers with the motivation to take the step(s) they have been dreaming about. For some that means the purchase of a larger home, for others it means investing in the Turks and Caicos real estate market for the first time.
At Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty we remain at the forefront of brokerage leadership with the use of technology. Whether it’s the importance we place on digital listing assets through the use of high resolution photography and video, 3D virtual reality tours and Matter-ports (special shout out to our amazing Marketing Director Denise Douglas for putting these together), our apple TV app, streaming and syndication capabilities, our use of augmented reality through CURATE and Ro0omy, or simple Face time walk throughs to ensure we’ve found the right fit for our buyers and sellers. At Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty we believe in pivoting and staying ahead of the curve. No not that curve…which has now been flattened in the Turks & Caicos. Special acknowledgment to the Turks & Caicos Government for a job well done on flattening the curve, and providing the country with the Stamp Duty Tax reduction during this difficult time.
p.s. The Stamp Duty Tax reduction is still in place until 30th December 2020 on land and properties up to $2M.
The Bight by Dream Hotel Group Celebrates the Launch of its 66-Suite / 89-Key Condo-Hotel Project in Partnership with Celebrated Brand & Management Company Dream Hotel Group
On Tuesday 11th February, Grace Bay, Providenciales came to life with an inspired Block Party Event to celebrate the official launch of The Bight by Dream Hotel Group and their new partnership with NYC-based Dream Hotel Group, who will now serve as Manager and Operator for the 66-suite/89-hotel key project. The event took place between Sandbox and Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty’s office with music by renowned DJ Munro spilling over to the streets and a botanical jungle theme scape that flowed throughout both venues, intertwining the buildings to one another. If the refreshingly simple and stunningly creative ambience is anything to go by, this development is off to a progressive start.
Ryan Jones and Natalie Zaidan of the EA Group are best known for the hip local coffee spot, Lemon-to-go-café and their successful landscaping company Environmental Arts, but this powerhouse couple, who have called Turks & Caicos their home for close to two decades, are lesser known for the multiple hats they wear, which include construction, real estate development and sales, art production, rum and vodka distilling and their latest food and beverage venue Sandbox, which caters to the on trend phenomenon of health conscious consuming. No mini sliders here. EA Group is always one step ahead of the curve. Everything from the mood, to the canapes was refreshing. Guests dined on air fried vegetable samosas and mini chicken satay, to name a few, and quenched their thirst with coconut water housed in Turks & Caicos grown coconuts provided by local business owner, JJ Jennings of Coco Vibes. The signature “cocktail with a Bight” was a spicy margarita with a slight bite as the name suggests.
Between speeches guests posed amongst giant foam letters that playfully encircled the Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International office, spelling out “The Bight Hotel”. As the night progressed and guests, hoteliers, Government officials, and friends filled the space, Ryan Jones spoke to the crowd and announced his vision and dream of bringing an authentic, experience-based condo-hotel to the Turks and Caicos that focuses on lifestyle.
“So why do you want to build a hotel? Why do you want to be in this business? What is the origin story of this project? Natalie and I live in the Bight. This is our home, and we love the country. I loved it enough that I made my life here and had my kids here. We wanted to recreate the magical Turks and Caicos experience that people have when they come here for the first time and never leave. We want to share that with people. We were looking at the market and thought the five-star market is really well-served by a whole bunch of guys who have done an amazing job. The market that really needs to be addressed is the four-star boutique market with culture, design, art, experiences, and adventure. We wanted to align what we did with our life and that’s why we decided to build a hotel here. Then it was a matter of finding the right management partner. An established, creative and inspiring team to bring our vision to life.
“The Bight by Dream Hotel Group will cater to travelers and owners who share a passion for design, community, and food and beverage —all while celebrating the natural beauty and culture of the islands,” added Jeff Donnelly, Vice President of Development, Dream Hotel Group. “In our partnership with EA Group, we are committed to delivering a fresh and exciting experience to the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Following a soft launch in April 2019, the last 10 months have seen 10 reservations. That’s an average of one reservation per month, a staggering number for an overseas jurisdiction and a new developer. Further confirmation that design- and lifestyle-driven EA Group have their finger on the pulse of the next real estate trend.
“The Bight by Dream Hotel Group is lean, and it’s designed for short term vacation rental. There’s no fat. What do you say?” Joe Zahm Presidentof Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty asked DeveloperRyan Jones, “Everything you need and nothing you don’t need. I look at it with the great end in mind. It is designed for the end user from the beginning with a real hotel lobby and bar, and a real vibe and lifestyle experience attached to it. And when you factor in the connectivity, elegance and simplicity of the design, at a wonderful price point, this will well serve the market, who really want to be part of the investment class, where your return on investment is just better per square foot. And when you add on just a great amenity set that’s going to be a part of the Bight, and you also add to that just amazingly smashing outlooks with the only elevated property and true beach access. It’s really a combination to die for.”
So what’s next for the EA Group you ask? More sweat and hard work. Starting with digging trenches in the Bight neighborhood to begin burying those old power lines and transforming the area to the beautiful vision Natalie and Ryan started dreaming about over seven years ago. Look out for more information on the underground power line initiative and the beautification of this local neighborhood.
On January 25, 2020, the Edward Gartland Youth Centre in collaboration with The Shore Club, Gilley’s Enterprises, Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty and Finishing Touch, hosted ‘An Exclusive Evening of Art’.
The sixth annual event was hosted for the third year, in the ballroom at the exclusive Shore Club Resort and featured a collection of art work from local and international artists with a special section for artwork by local youth. The all-inclusive event provided to guests a welcome drink cocktail, canapes and food stations, open bar, live entertainment by Sax O’Pans Serenade and a live and silent auction.
Thirty-three local and international artists exhibited in the show which included a wide range of different mediums of art from acrylic and oil paintings, photography, pencil portraits, ceramics, digital art and jewelry.
The live auction with auctioneer Todd Foss, of Grace Bay Car Rentals, was exciting and allowed guests the opportunity to outbid each other on selected donated pieces of art by the artists in the exhibition including works from renowned artist and Turks and Caicos native, Bradley Theodore, were all available for purchase. Four amazing donated stays/excursions from the award-winning companies, Beach Enclave, Amanyara, Grace Bay Club and Prive were also featured in the Live auction.
The Pop-Up fashion show by the W.H.O. and Vdysh Collection, wowed the patrons with a stunning display of creativity and originality. A definite surprise highlight for this year’s event.
The evening did not end there! Guests were moved from the fabulous ballroom and into the stunning courtyard where DJ Dayoh kept the party going and attendees danced the rest of the night away.
Galmo Williams, Founding Member of the Edward Gartland Gartland Youth Centre states: “Another successful showcase for the art exhibit and it was truly amazing to see the talents of the Turks and Caicos artists on full display. Gilley’s Enterprises is proud to be a part of this event and would like to thank the organizers for their efforts”
Turks & Caicos Real Estate | Caribbean 