Inn at Loreto Bay

JW comes to Loreto Bay

by Agraichen about JW Marriott

I have not stayed yet as it's not built yet. The latest "BIG" news in town is that JW Marriott will be building a 200+ unit condo complex on the site of the old Whaler's Inn. The preview center is now open with schematics of the 6 non custom floor plans that will be available for rent and purchase. Large highly appointed condo's with all the amenities expected of a high end resort. A number of pools created for every age plus water slides for the kids (young and old).

Located on the shores of the Sea of Cortez, one of the most diverse sea life "aquariums" in the world.

Building Loreto Bay

by Agraichen

"Breaking ground"

The Loreto Bay company is literally building a town. Actually a number of villages with an emphasis on walking around. There are small shops in the planning for food, clothes etc.

Already over 700 homes have been sold and about half are under construction. About 150 have been finished and have residents.

We think we were lucky to have picked up one of the last in the first phase of development. We should be able to move in mid 2007.

The purchase decision was exciting. Our daughter was able to make the trip with us and she got to put the red "sold" sticker on the street map. All of thouse red dots are sold homes; At present there are only 3 places that are not sold in the first phase of the project plus phase 2 is about 50% sold out already.

If prices escalate as they have in the last 3 years we're at the rigtht stage of the development.

The homes are constructed with open space and a focus on outdoor living and gardens. Most all have fountains and depending on your likes, instead of just decorative plants, there are organic vegetables available for planting.

This is the entrance to a house that is similar to what ours will look like.

The outdoor patio with fountain enhances the living space. With very little real rain most of the year and virtually no bugs, outdoor living is definitely a feature.

The "street scape" for village homes focus' on efficient homes with very thick walls for insulation. The 14" compressed adobe walls are virtually sound proof and offer inhanced insulation.

The thickness helps keep the climate steady. Thus there is a little need for heating and A/C, but both are there just in case.

The height of all buildings will be 2 stories with some minor "towers" for entertainment on the top floor. however the overall master plan is such that there are views most everywhere.

So...the jouney begins...Construction was scheduled to begin about Feb 2, 2007 with a projected "move in" date of August 2007. That date was altered due to a number of issues with the signing off on all architectural drawings, only to find that the drawings were incorrect so we had to restart the process. construction finaly started in August with a new completion date of March 2008. We'll see how it goes.

Construction photo Oct 31, 2007 - we have a first floor in with the second floor being constructed.

MY Loreto Bay House

by Agraichen

"Lot 358"

After purchase, you wait, then you wait, and at long last after waiting again you see progress. The lot lines are marked and there is a gilmmer of hope there will be progress.

Then the trenching begins for the underground utilities and a foundation is poured.

Additional Perform Wall down with the 2nd floor supports in as well as electrical and plumbing foundations. this is a good sign. Perform Wall can go up quickly once the infrastructure is in place.

Progress is slow, but progress is being made. The building materials were switched from pure adobe compressed brick to "Perform Wall" which ultimately should make for a stronger building.

The logistics of getting the plans revised however took more time than we had figured. So I'm impatient. And rightfully so. No sooner than this picture was taken than part of what you see was torn out. The plans were WRONG.

So this is August 31, 2007

Perform Wall is supposed to allow the rough building to proceed much faster. It should considering 30 inch sections are being added at one time instead of 4 inch adobe bricks.

Well, Perform Walll seems to be working. Were now at the end of October and the entire first floor is complete with the second floor under way.

The "holiday season" will be hard as work will slow down again. Most of the workmen take 2-4 weeks off from mid December to January to go home to their familys.

What a difference a month or two makes. We have doors and actually the walls are painted inside. Next comes the garden and fountain on the left side.

...and the big news...the tiles are in our bedroom. The patio is just about complete and the tiles for the staircase will be going in shortly.

March is really looking like a move-in date after all.

The final days. Late April walk-thru for a final punch list and acceptance in May. We moved in the first week of June 2008.