Whilst there, the Publisher heads off to visit Eden Island - “one of the most exciting residential marina developments in the world.” | The Month 2012
Although the Seychelles government has, in the past, had a pervasive presence in economic activity, this has gradually declined since 2008 and its encouragement of foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services has led to an enormous amount of investment in real estate projects. Fortunately, environmental legislation is very strict in Seychelles, and every tourism project undergoes an environmental review and a lengthy process of consultations with the public and conservationists before approval.
Situated just off the east coast of the main island, Mahé, Eden Island is a man-made paradise that, according to Peter Smith, the head of sales and marketing, “is one of the most exciting residential marina developments in the world.” And it’s not just man-made, it’s South African-made. Working closely with the Seychelles government, the developers have brought together architects and urban and interior designers to create an integrated resort development on reclaimed land that, at over 40 hectares in size (including more than 16 hectares of private waterways), “is in complete harmony with the unspoilt beauty and serenity of the Seychelles.”
Stellenbosch architects, Dennis Moss Partnership, was awarded the opportunity to undertake the urban
design of the island, including luxury apartments, spacious maisons and private villas. The style they came up with is distinctly Victorian influenced Seychellois with large verandas and open rooms overlooking views of the ocean, mountains, forests and nearby islands. Visually, it shouts “sophisticated” without being opulent; “the roofs are pitched high, and are always red, which is in line with local customs” adds Peter, and quietly I’m impressed with the achievement of our local winelands architects and kind of glad it didn’t become ‘Sandton by the sea’.
Just five kilometres north of the airport, the first thing that hits you as you cross the bridge to Eden Island (besides the heat, at this time of year) is the impressive Marina, which provides berthing facilities for 250 vessels, leisure craft and super-yachts of up to 100 metres in length – yes, they actually make yachts that big - and, believe me, it is a spectacular curtain call on the island. Just behind is a separate (and almost complete) commercial precinct with restaurants, a supermarket, delis, boutiques and coffee shops, and the tennis court, gymnasium and swimming pool add to the recreational facilities available to the owners, which also include open green spaces, various beaches and, of course, the Clubhouse.
Clearly, Eden Island has caught the imagination of investors, holidaymakers, professional yachtsmen and wide-eyed dreamers (like me) the world over. So who’s buying? “Most buyers to date are from SA, France, the UK , Italy, the UAE and Eastern Europe” says Peter, “and at the time of writing, 386 units have been sold and 339 units have been completed.”
Peter explains that ownership here gives you options. “If the plan is just to spend a couple of weeks a year here for the rest of your life then the Eden Island rental pool organises renting over a short or long-term basis,” he says, with daily rentals charged out at between $350-$750 a day and monthly from $1500 - $4000 (before local taxes and management fees). Some nifty calculations later and I’m thinking how gearing the purchase could see you pay the deposit and have renters pay the balance over time - making it a particularly effective and attractive Rand hedge for starters.
“The short hop to Jo'burg at just under five hours on Air Seychelles now code sharing with Ethiad, and the first-rate communication systems and offices planned in the commercial centre here make the island an effective business hub,” says Peter “and for those who seek the option of permanent relocation, Eden Island is unlike anything else in Seychelles. When you buy an apartment, maison or villa here, you qualify yourself and your immediate family to apply for residency of the Seychelles.” I’m listening, and it’s appealing, but my thoughts are drifting - perhaps the most enduring attraction is its enviable, island-style way of life, its multi-culturall harmony and the fact that there’s no serious or violent crime in Seychelles!
I stayed in one of the private villas looking out east to Cerf and Ste. Anne islands on the edge of the development and, as I quietly bounce home there (every home comes standard with an electric golf buggie - cars aren’t allowed on the island), I appreciate the workmanship of the units (built largely with Indian immigrant labour) and, once again, find myself struggling to draw comparisons to back home.
The key thing, says Peter, is that Eden Island is neither a resort, nor a hotel, where people come for a week or two on honeymoon and leave soon afterwards. “It’s a real property development where you can literally own a piece of paradise forever - or pass it on to your children so they can!” And as the sun sets, and the deep hues spread out across the sky and serene ocean, the temptation to own and invest, rather than just visit, is almost overwhelming!
For more info go to www.edenisland.sc
Situated just off the east coast of the main island, Mahé, Eden Island is a man-made paradise that, according to Peter Smith, the head of sales and marketing, “is one of the most exciting residential marina developments in the world.” And it’s not just man-made, it’s South African-made. Working closely with the Seychelles government, the developers have brought together architects and urban and interior designers to create an integrated resort development on reclaimed land that, at over 40 hectares in size (including more than 16 hectares of private waterways), “is in complete harmony with the unspoilt beauty and serenity of the Seychelles.”
Stellenbosch architects, Dennis Moss Partnership, was awarded the opportunity to undertake the urban
design of the island, including luxury apartments, spacious maisons and private villas. The style they came up with is distinctly Victorian influenced Seychellois with large verandas and open rooms overlooking views of the ocean, mountains, forests and nearby islands. Visually, it shouts “sophisticated” without being opulent; “the roofs are pitched high, and are always red, which is in line with local customs” adds Peter, and quietly I’m impressed with the achievement of our local winelands architects and kind of glad it didn’t become ‘Sandton by the sea’.
Just five kilometres north of the airport, the first thing that hits you as you cross the bridge to Eden Island (besides the heat, at this time of year) is the impressive Marina, which provides berthing facilities for 250 vessels, leisure craft and super-yachts of up to 100 metres in length – yes, they actually make yachts that big - and, believe me, it is a spectacular curtain call on the island. Just behind is a separate (and almost complete) commercial precinct with restaurants, a supermarket, delis, boutiques and coffee shops, and the tennis court, gymnasium and swimming pool add to the recreational facilities available to the owners, which also include open green spaces, various beaches and, of course, the Clubhouse.Clearly, Eden Island has caught the imagination of investors, holidaymakers, professional yachtsmen and wide-eyed dreamers (like me) the world over. So who’s buying? “Most buyers to date are from SA, France, the UK , Italy, the UAE and Eastern Europe” says Peter, “and at the time of writing, 386 units have been sold and 339 units have been completed.”
Peter explains that ownership here gives you options. “If the plan is just to spend a couple of weeks a year here for the rest of your life then the Eden Island rental pool organises renting over a short or long-term basis,” he says, with daily rentals charged out at between $350-$750 a day and monthly from $1500 - $4000 (before local taxes and management fees). Some nifty calculations later and I’m thinking how gearing the purchase could see you pay the deposit and have renters pay the balance over time - making it a particularly effective and attractive Rand hedge for starters.
“The short hop to Jo'burg at just under five hours on Air Seychelles now code sharing with Ethiad, and the first-rate communication systems and offices planned in the commercial centre here make the island an effective business hub,” says Peter “and for those who seek the option of permanent relocation, Eden Island is unlike anything else in Seychelles. When you buy an apartment, maison or villa here, you qualify yourself and your immediate family to apply for residency of the Seychelles.” I’m listening, and it’s appealing, but my thoughts are drifting - perhaps the most enduring attraction is its enviable, island-style way of life, its multi-culturall harmony and the fact that there’s no serious or violent crime in Seychelles! I stayed in one of the private villas looking out east to Cerf and Ste. Anne islands on the edge of the development and, as I quietly bounce home there (every home comes standard with an electric golf buggie - cars aren’t allowed on the island), I appreciate the workmanship of the units (built largely with Indian immigrant labour) and, once again, find myself struggling to draw comparisons to back home.
The key thing, says Peter, is that Eden Island is neither a resort, nor a hotel, where people come for a week or two on honeymoon and leave soon afterwards. “It’s a real property development where you can literally own a piece of paradise forever - or pass it on to your children so they can!” And as the sun sets, and the deep hues spread out across the sky and serene ocean, the temptation to own and invest, rather than just visit, is almost overwhelming!
For more info go to www.edenisland.sc
