The University of Notre Dame School of Architecture has been very busy with Las Catalinas work the past few weeks. I spent the day there on Monday for a first review of the work. They are working on a variety of areas around Las Catalinas, but one of their major focuses is on Punta Guachipelines. ...
Computer model morphing into construction, Flats on Plaza Carlota.
Early work on Playa Danta beachfront park.
This is my stream-of-consciousness account of some of the places that have been most influential from my personal point of view in the creation of our vision for Las Catalinas. Pictures of all these places can be found here: http://chasbrew.smugmug.com/Favorites
Here is a peek of one of our new renderings that is coming. Should have colored version in a couple of days. Click on it to see whole thing. Some details that will only be in color aren't there yet - like tree foliage.
I'm here in South Bend Indiana. Yesterday was the day for final presentations on the studio work that 16 fifth-year architecture student have been doing on Las Catalinas. The students have done a huge amount of work, and produced some beautiful images! I'll get the real scanned versions of the work ...
We are approaching the third annual Pura Vida Ride Paddle Battle, a great SUP race event. The action begins on June 1 at 9:00 am. Whether you will be competing or spectating and enjoying the scene, this is one of the most enjoyable days of the year at Las Catalinas.
Those fifth-year architecture students at Notre Dame have been working away on their Las Catalinas projects. They had an interim review on Monday and we got a few images. Some of them look pretty exciting!
I went to the Luberon region of Provence in France last month for a tour of hilltowns. I treat myself to a field trip like this every once in a while in search of lessons and inspirations for Las Catalinas. These Luberon towns were suggested to me by Douglas Duany. And it was a great call. Here is ...
This is one in a series of "Lessons from..." documents I have written after visiting places that are of interest as precedents for Las Catalinas. Some of these towns I have visited before. I stayed in Pienza circa 2004 on a study trip with the Seaside Pienza Institute. Civita de Bagnoregio I ...
My new favorite place and time is: these rocking chairs outside of Pura Vida Ride between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Pura Vida opens at 7:00 with their most excellent coffees - my case mocha. These chairs are the natural place to gather before or after a ride, run, hike, swim, boat, snorkel, or ...
Check out these shots courtesy of Alonso Piedra. He took them using a DJI Phantom - a pretty cool looking machine. As you can see the hardscape on the next portions of Beach Town, including Calle la Ronda, Reconcito de Reid, Plazoleta Lucille, Plaza Pienza, and part of Plaza Central is nearly ...
We had a big presentation/party here at the Yellow Fin Bar in Flamingo, Costa Rica tonight. Tons of people including lots from the brokerage community. It went great. And more of a party than I could handle!
I have heard that exact phrase many times from families that have taken a vacation at Las Catalinas. I'm always thrilled to hear it! For some time I've been asking myself why. Why have so many people had their best family vacation ever at Las Catalinas? Why does that exact phrase keep coming up? I ...
Construction on our first group of houses is moving along very well. After all the time we've spent buying the last, mapping, planning, permitting - it is a bit shocking how rapidly things are moving now! And it is very, very exciting. Come and see! Here is a shot of me standing on Lot 8, looking ...
Construction on the Phase Zero site (our first seven houses plus restaurant and a beach/bike rental building) has been getting underway the last few days. Here are a couple of photos! The first is looking across the building site with Punta Guachipelines in the distance and second shows the bodega ...
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