town centre

I read on other PW forum - 2 lounge bars, Irish pub, 2 restaurants, supermarket 2200m2 all owned and run by PW. not bad to start off with.

Thats closing surgery & supermarket & relocating. What are we gaining?? A restaurant and another bar??? with sky high prices. I'm sorry but not what we bought into!!! 

I believe the "surgery" will remain & the supermarket will be turned into a gym

Jan

Was in the sales office yesterday and they guy confirmed 2 bars and 2 restaurants, as we expected. The new supermarket will take up the full North side of the Foro, so will be very large. Looking like there will be a "Clover" bar, like at Mar Menor and La Torre.

I asked about the Oasis (which is about 10 times bigger than the Foro) and he was quite honest. He explained that Polars has received a lot of interest from retailers etc, however that interest had dried up with the current economic climate. He said dont expect any kind of Oasis for at least 3 years.

I personally expect it to be longer, even during busy times there are not enough people around to justify all those new bars, shops etc. I know that they are hoping to attract people from the surrounding areas, however Lorca, Murcia, Cartagena all have great facilities on their doorsteps. People from Alhama, Totana, Mazarron etc may make the journey, but I think we need a lot more properties to be built and sold on Condado, before this will become attractive to business'.

Having visited La Torre Town contre for the first time on Monday, I loved it, really pretty, with a really nice lake and views across the golf course. I think the Foro design is nowhere near as atttractive, it a pretty ugly building from the outside with no windows or outdoor seating, also the only views available will be whatever is opposite you, which will initially be partially empty units.

I dont play golf and bought at Condado beacuse of the oasis, lots of shops, bars and restaurants was my reason for buying. I wonder how long it will be till we have the same facilities

Was in the sales office yesterday and they guy confirmed 2 bars and 2 restaurants, as we expected. The new supermarket will take up the full North side of the Foro, so will be very large. Looking like there will be a "Clover" bar, like at Mar Menor and La Torre.

I asked about the Oasis (which is about 10 times bigger than the Foro) and he was quite honest. He explained that Polars has received a lot of interest from retailers etc, however that interest had dried up with the current economic climate. He said dont expect any kind of Oasis for at least 3 years.

I personally expect it to be longer, even during busy times there are not enough people around to justify all those new bars, shops etc. I know that they are hoping to attract people from the surrounding areas, however Lorca, Murcia, Cartagena all have great facilities on their doorsteps. People from Alhama, Totana, Mazarron etc may make the journey, but I think we need a lot more properties to be built and sold on Condado, before this will become attractive to business'.

Having visited La Torre Town contre for the first time on Monday, I loved it, really pretty, with a really nice lake and views across the golf course. I think the Foro design is nowhere near as atttractive, it a pretty ugly building from the outside with no windows or outdoor seating, also the only views available will be whatever is opposite you, which will initially be partially empty units.

I dont play golf and bought at Condado beacuse of the oasis, lots of shops, bars and restaurants was my reason for buying. I wonder how long it will be till we have the same facilities as

Was in the sales office yesterday and they guy confirmed 2 bars and 2 restaurants, as we expected. The new supermarket will take up the full North side of the Foro, so will be very large. Looking like there will be a "Clover" bar, like at Mar Menor and La Torre.

I asked about the Oasis (which is about 10 times bigger than the Foro) and he was quite honest. He explained that Polars has received a lot of interest from retailers etc, however that interest had dried up with the current economic climate. He said dont expect any kind of Oasis for at least 3 years.

I personally expect it to be longer, even during busy times there are not enough people around to justify all those new bars, shops etc. I know that they are hoping to attract people from the surrounding areas, however Lorca, Murcia, Cartagena all have great facilities on their doorsteps. People from Alhama, Totana, Mazarron etc may make the journey, but I think we need a lot more properties to be built and sold on Condado, before this will become attractive to business'.

Having visited La Torre Town contre for the first time on Monday, I loved it, really pretty, with a really nice lake and views across the golf course. I think the Foro design is nowhere near as atttractive, it a pretty ugly building from the outside with no windows or outdoor seating, also the only views available will be whatever is opposite you, which will initially be partially empty units.

I dont play golf and bought at Condado beacuse of the oasis, lots of shops, bars and restaurants was my reason for buying. I wonder how long it will be till we have the same facilities as La

Was in the sales office yesterday and they guy confirmed 2 bars and 2 restaurants, as we expected. The new supermarket will take up the full North side of the Foro, so will be very large. Looking like there will be a "Clover" bar, like at Mar Menor and La Torre.

I asked about the Oasis (which is about 10 times bigger than the Foro) and he was quite honest. He explained that Polars has received a lot of interest from retailers etc, however that interest had dried up with the current economic climate. He said dont expect any kind of Oasis for at least 3 years.

I personally expect it to be longer, even during busy times there are not enough people around to justify all those new bars, shops etc. I know that they are hoping to attract people from the surrounding areas, however Lorca, Murcia, Cartagena all have great facilities on their doorsteps. People from Alhama, Totana, Mazarron etc may make the journey, but I think we need a lot more properties to be built and sold on Condado, before this will become attractive to business'.

Having visited La Torre Town contre for the first time on Monday, I loved it, really pretty, with a really nice lake and views across the golf course. I think the Foro design is nowhere near as atttractive, it a pretty ugly building from the outside with no windows or outdoor seating, also the only views available will be whatever is opposite you, which will initially be partially empty units.

I dont play golf and bought at Condado beacuse of the oasis, lots of shops, bars and restaurants was my reason for buying. I wonder how long it will be till we have the same facilities as La Torre? I wonder if I bought on the wrong resort?

Sorry to be a little

Hi Darren,

A little what?   No you did not buy on the wrong resort, but when we bought we were told it would be approx 10 years before everything was in place, so please be patient cause its not going to happen over night.  We looked at La Torre back in 2007 and it had the starts of a town centre, so its taken nearly two years for that to come to fruisition.  Condado is PWs flag ship resort and as soon as this economic climate is over things will move much faster. 

Ali

Hi Ali,

I agree with you that we need to be patient and keep in mind what a fantastic resort Condado will be when it is finished.  We visited La Torre in September 2006 on our inspection trip - although no completions had taken place at that time, it is probably fair to say that the resort was probably in more of a finished state than Condado is now.  It seemed as though they had got the resort well on the way before completing on any of the apartments although development obviously continued around the town centre.  But let's not forget, 2006 was probably the height of the boom years when properties were selling like hot cakes and Polaris World were not battling against a worldwide recession. 

That said, I do know what Darren means about the town centre at La Torre and the Foro town centre at Condado.  The town centre at La Torre is lovely whereas the Foro just seems to be a mass of dull, bland concrete walls at the moment with no character or interesting unique features.  However, I do keep telling myself that it will be lovely when it is finished as everything that PW tends to be very tasteful.  But then I think about the surgery!   Seriously though, I think we just have to wait and see what the Foro is like when it is finished but I agree with you Darren that in terms of setting, style, colour etc etc, at the moment it falls way behind the town centre at La Torre.     The town centre at La Torre has character, but the Foro - well, it's just a large square block of concrete to me at the moment !  I did feel a little more inspired when someone posted the picture of it at night with the external lights on!

Debbie

Let's hope they make amends with the clubhouse. If it mirrors the image that is dotting about the same way as the finished jardines matched the artist's impressions, we should have nothing to worry about. I think the foro will look more 'aesthetically pleasing' once the landscaping has been completed particularly inside, with the palm trees, ornamental pond & tables & chairs outside. It's amazing what a bland rendered block can be 'made up' to be once it has it's glad rags on !

Regards,

Sure you're right, Will.  Guess it's like women without their make-up and glad rags on!!!  Sorry girls - please feel free to slap my wrists for that one!

The artist's impression of the proposed clubhouse looks fabulous - in fact it is actually similar  to the town centre at La Torre, in that it overlooks the lake and golf course, with walkways around it next to the lake, and the building has different angles and aspects to it, instead of being a square concrete box!

I suppose whatever the Foro and Clubhouse turn out to be, they have got to be better than the Surgery - HAVEN'T THEY?!!!  Please say yes!!!

Debbie

Anything is better than what we have and yes the clubhouse looks wonderful, why they couldnt have applied a similar design to the Foro is beyond me, still as was said earlier once Polaris finish something it usually ends up looing great.

The clubhouse looks very large, what exactally will be in there?  I have not visited any other Polaris Clubhouses?

I put my deposit down in Nov 2005 and was shown round a half finished Mar Menor at that stage there were no facilities.

Aren't we to have a temporary clubhouse initially  (that makes me think portakabin!)  but it will be great if they create something along the lines of the La Torre clubhouse- does anyone know if there is a chance of that or is it to be the temporary version we were told would be set up this year?

Do agree that the outside of the Foro is a bit uninspiring so am hoping once they landscape etc it'll look better- inside looks good on the plans but until all the outlets are in use might be a bit bleak. Whole thing looks a bit like someone had to come up with a design pretty quck!!

Is it right Homestyle is going into liquidation- they should have put one in the Foro?

Hi Jann

Is that true about Homestyle, I know PW garden centre is and have some reduction in the shop but I haven't heard about Homestyle.  

Hi,

I am not clear what the long term aspirations of CDA are now due to the downturn in the economy..??

Does anyone else feel that with the Foro moving into a more central position for everyone to access that the future of the Oasis and other proposed town centres that Polaris advretised in their marketing literature is now in doubt?

I have only visited Condado once at Easter a few weeks ago and due to the holiday period there was no-one working. Is the resort and the golf course usually busy with work men during normal working hours?

I wouldn't be surprised if Homestyle was going into liquidation. Been there many times 'window shopping' and while some of it was really nice, boy did they know how to charge. The people who worked there were generally totally awful, they were disinterested and made no attempt to sell (or even offer a smile). For the life of me I don't know why they didn't offer a range of 'Condado Packages'. I'm not in retail but I reckon with no knowledge of the business with a bit of effort and attention to people when they come through the door I reckon I could have doubled sales - oh well.

Hi Carol,

They did/do offer a range of 'Condado Packages'  http://homestyle.polarisworld.com/homestyle/resources/File/pwhs_catalogo_lq.pdf

Wasn't that impressed by them though, better quality from IKEA.

Phil

As some one who has a great interest in interior design

I have to say that I was not at all impressed with Homestyle packages. infact not impressed whith Home style in general & I do not know who they employed to  furnish their Jardin show homes but in my opinion the person aught to be sacked.

But it is just my opinion

Jan

Mark, I was in the sales office for Polaris earlier this week and the guy there was saying the oasis should be 3 years away. I personally dont believe this and I have my doubts as to weather it will ever arrive.

The Foro will contain 2 bars, 2 restaurants and a big supermarket when it opens, yet it will only be just over half full, basically there will be room for a few more bars and restaurants.

Having spent the last weekend at 3 Polaris sites I noticed the following. On Friday evening I visited Mar Menor Golf Resort, the Olives restaurant was shut(indefinetelly by the look of things)! Al Fresco was closed  (only open during the day), leaving me with a choice of Hiroko or Nomad. Nomad had 4 people in and Hiroko (where I ate) had 3 couples in (including myself).

I also paid 2 visits to the surgery over the weekend and there was never more that 8 people in.

I dined at La Torre on Monday and the Italian was quite busy but the rest of the restaurants were deserted.

In 3 months time Condado will should have 3 bars and 2 restaurants and I would imagine that other than peak seasons these places will be empty most of the time. As Condado will never have more that about 30% occupancy at any time and I would imagine that occupancy would probably average 10-15%.

Polaris will build the bars and restaurants because they need to offer these services to sell more properties.

The Oasis unlike the Foro will contain business run by none-polaris companies, I think these business will look at how empty the existing bars/restaurants are and they may not be interested in moving into the Oasis, especially when they look at the rents polaris will be charging.

Maybe if/when the second and third courses are completed and there are maybe 10,000 properties, then there will be enough life on Condado to make the Oasis look appealing to business. I realise the plan with the oasis was to attract people from surrounding areas into Condado to shop and dine, but Cartagena, Lorca and Murcia already have their own centres so I cant imagine people making the long Journey.

Having said all this, I bought on Condado because of the Oasis. I am not a golfer and really wanted to be near lots of shops/bars/restaurants, but also wanted the security of being on a gated resort. So I will keep my fingers crossed that oneday we get the Oasis.

We were at CdA during the Easter break and walked the golf course once and observed it from a number of angles (husband very keen) during that time. We saw many many workers out there, seeding, maintaining and doing I dont know what. Plus several surveyer type people with laser measures and clip boards. Even to my untrained eye it looked very good and work was clearly in progress. Likewise there was much ongoing activity on the Foro and we even saw this on the days we associate with the Bank Holidays. So we think PW are pushing to get these facilities up and ready -its  their source of income afterall.

We purchased furniture from Homestyle and have found it to be really good quality and suprisinly comparative prices to the other stores we checked out. We dismissed it on our first few visits and did all the usual places only to drop in when passing and buy the suite we had looked day 1!. We also got aircon from there and for each purchase the staff were fine and everything arrived on time as expected. Its a pity they wont put one in the Foro because for convenience I would bet people would have purchased from them.

We are still hopeful the Oasis will happen when the retail market begins to improve but with stores closing everywhere I can see why its on hold. It was a reason we bought. We did hear rumour that the golf course workers have had their contracts extended to enable them to atrt Golf course 2 once this present one is comp[lete.