| Message | Posted by |
Would be interested to know of any experience on discount range being offered by BS for advance payments under the lot contract and in particular any discounts to encourage early construction.
Still radio silence regarding hotel operator. Anyone heard anything recently?
| JoseX |
| I have been informed by BS that the concrete forms the inner wall and there is a cavity together with a brick-built exterior wall. Hope this helps. | searcher |
| Can anyone throw some light on the building specs. of the villas please? I have received numerous photos showing the poured concrete walls of our villa going up but was under the impression that the villas were to have insulated cavity walls which would therefore negate the problem of condensation and alike which can be a serious problem with properties left empty for extended periods.. Can anyone confirm whether the villas are being built as advertised?? | martinm |
Hi everyone
I have been following this forum for some time now and have found all your comments very interesting and informative.
Just to let you know where we are at. we signed for a 3 bed villa in March 07, and construction started as agreed in September. Payments for the construciton have been divided into 15 equal monthly instalments to the end of the build which therefore should mean our villa should be complete in Nov/Dec of this year.
We visited site in April and were very impressed with the progress of the site, golf course and the construction of our villa was really taking shape. We were told that completion of the villa is expected in March 09...not quite sure why this is later than anticipated but will be checking this out...I am not sure if any of you are interested but we were gven a discount for making the final payment in advance for the plot and have now exchanged deeds. The earlier you do this the bigger the discount. Obviously we have our fingers crossed all will continue as well as it seems to be so far otherwise we will end up the owners of a plot of land with a half built villa on a half finished development :)
We were also told the golf course will have an opening in September with owners invited.
I am just wondering what everyone is planning to do with their properties..rent through the B.S. Scheme/ rent privately/ sole use or is anyone even planning to live there full time...
Regards
| jikolp |
Hi Eilisc, Our villa is also due to be constructed commencing in July also. We are awaiting payment schedules etc. Bom Sucesso can give you dates re golf course opening and would not be suprised to see owners invited along as they intend to use it as a launch pad for phase 3. The work going into the course is significant and it makes for a real spectacle. Keep you posted re construction on our plot. May see you at opening hopefully. Best, Richard | Richard S-L |
| Ellisc ,
I was advised that our construction licence was applied for in July with construction scheduled for September and construction actually began in Jan. of this year. As to geo-thermal options you need to ask your BS contact to price and secure your own independent alternative which I am sure you could do via the net.. | martinm |
| Just to let you know that the Bom Sucesso site has quite a few new photos put up. | euroscooby |
We have just been advised that construction of our villa on plot 289 is expected to start in July 2008 and a licence to construct is to be applied for shortly. In others experience, does this time scale from intention to apply for a licence to construction start generally bear out? Is ther anyone else out there who is expecting their construction to start in July?
Does anyone have any up to date information or contractor details or estimates for a geothermal installation. We obviously need to move fast if we are to get this sorted and agreed before the start of construction.
Richard S-L mentioned that the golf course is due to open in September to great fanfare. Does anyone have any idea on the proposed timetable for this. We have an option of a visit to Bom Successo in Sept but have only a very short window available for this travel. | eilisc |
Hello,
In 2006 we purchased a phase 2, hotel managed two bedroom townhouse which finally began construction in January.
I am struggling to get valuation information about these properties. Does anyone know where current two-bed townhouses are listed for sale?
It's taken so long for things to get going that we're now taking a bath on the euro and I'm not entirely certain I want to see it through - especially as no hotel partner is yet confirmed.
| acarru |
Hello,
In 2006 we purchased a phase 2, hotel managed two bedroom townhouse which finally began construction in January.
I am struggling to get valuation information about these properties. Does anyone know where current two-bed townhouses are listed for sale?
It's taken so long for things to get going that we're now taking a bath on the euro and I'm not entirely certain I want to see it through - especially as no hotel partner is yet confirmed.
| acarru |
Just back from a short weekend break to Bom Sucesso. Similar story to AlexMac. The progress on-site is evident with good quality in terms of finishing. The sales staff were superb and acknowledged that the hotel operator selection is now on the critical path.
One should not underestmate the challenges that they have had on-site re topography etc. However, post a guided tour of the golf course, you can see the huge amount of effort and commitment to making this project first class (and preeminent in the region). The golf course will open in September to a grand fanfare and is superb.
I am as impatient as anyone to see our villa built but I am galvanised by the trip. If they can keep the high quality going, secure a top class hotel operator and maintain their momentum then as owners we will be in good shape. Bye for now.
Richard S-L
PS: Will post photos of our trip shortly.
| Richard S-L |
I visited the site last month so here is a brief update on progress for anyone who has not been recently. Most of the apartments and townhouses in Phase 1 are now in various stages of construction with some nearing completion. The standard of workmanship looks good so far (I'm in oil and gas construction so I know a bit about building) and I was impressed by the architecture. The golf course is well advanced with around 15 holes completed. It's a bit bare at present and surrounded by construction work which doesn't help its appearance, but it will mature with time no doubt.
There are not too many villas started so far but I believe this is at the discretion of the individual owners. My own plot is not started because the architect hasn't finalised the construction drawings. Hard to believe after all this time, but there are obviously many factors which we don't hear about. The sales people admitted they hadn't done a very good in keeping owners informed. It remains to be seen if this will change. And there was no definite news on the hotel as yet. Soon, I was told.
There is also another new development - Royal Obidos - just starting up along the coast, as well as the equestrian-based Quintas next door, so the area as a whole appears to be on the up. Thankfully, no visible changes in Obidos.
| AlexMac |
Hi,
I moved recently to London and realized that there's no point in keeping my one bedroom (Lote 216, Luis Moreira) anymore, so I decided to sell it. If you are interest please contact me: +44 7773739644. See property details in the Bom Sucesso website.
I made a visit just 2 weeks ago and i do not agree that the progress is slow. At least for Portuguese standards, the delays are minor and they are going to deliver the first houses (like mine) with just a few months delay.
Thanks, | psantos |
Good Day, Us we sign the contract of construction in September of 2007, the construction delays about 15 months, after the signature of the construction contract. We buy for our use and we did not make sale and leaseback with the ACORDO. In the street they exist about six already in construction, is to be sufficiently complete. Sending the photos that I took off of finishes time that there I was. Compliments, Pedro | obidosportugal |
Hi
We are cmpleting the purchase of plot 54 this week and would be very interested to hear from Plot 55 when you signed your order to build, i.e how long is the prcess from signing the build contract to work starting to completion?
Is the property complete? Is it as the architectural images/plans? Obviously any photos would be fantastic
Are there many more in the road under construction?
Regards | pams |
Hello,
The " BOM SUCESSO is to be congratulated, some houses are ready and with an excellent environment, entered into the field of Golf.
I am Portuguese and bought the lot 55 of architect Nuno Graca Moura and the house is a spectacle.
I am in love with an architecture and this venture in this aspect is very good.
Regards, Pedro | obidosportugal |
Mendes,
It sounds like you feel the lack of construction of villas on the site is in some way contributing to the delay in securing a hotel operator. I think that is naive in the extreme. BS have sold a significant number of properties in phase I and II of the back of a strong marketing pitch - and promises of a 5 star hotel brand. It's 2 years on and still no announcement. It's common sense that remaining units in the project would get snapped up quicker if the hotel operator was announced. Marketing (and credibility wise) it's madness therefore not to put all efforts to getting that deal secured asap & then go on the various road shows!!
Just to be clear I am big fan of the project and believe it has great potential. Accordo's lack of experience in this type of project (and by that I mean delivery not promises) however is a concern - evidenced by the lack of progress on hotel operator (over a 2 year period).
| JoseX |
It is fine to see the increasing number of BS owners/investors comming to discussion. In my opinion, despite the late anoucement of the hotel partner and the poor flow of information from a ACORDO, the best way to defendd your own investement is by impulsing such a "superb" project. The only way to do that is to not wait to start your vila. The more you wait, the more others wait too and therefore, no Hotel Chain would be willing to invest at BS.
| Mendes |
Dear BS followers, just to inform everybody. My vila is under construccion (plot 70). I am happy to share with you all my positive experience in comunicating with Acordo. Any requested information from my side has been always promptly and honourably answered. According to the information I have from Acordo the hotel must be anounced very soon. Despite some "expected" delays, the construcion is under way and BS is unic project and has a fantastic potential.
| Mendes |
Concerning the hotel I've heard that BS is in negotiations with the Hilton Group. Maybe it's only a rumour, maybe it's true. In fact the agreement with a 5 star Hotelgroup is the key issue for the next steps. If this will be fixed, I'm sure, BS is a succes story. The worse thing in this process is the lack of information. BS isn't able to communicate the real situation in a positive, transparent and truth way. I'm curious if we have a positive answer in 2 or 3 months. I think (and I hope) they can solve it......but now the customers can only: wait and see. And honestly I don't know what can happen if they aren't finding in the next months a hotel provider. It would be a sham for this superb project! | fcbgolf |
Just arrived back from Bom Sucesso.
Our last visit to the site was almost 12 months ago and must admit that we were very disappointed with the lack of progress. While the golf course looks in great shape, there has been little progress on the construction side. There is still no progress on the hotel - we were told (as we were some time ago) that negotiations are still ongoing to try to seal a deal with a major brand - and that they hoped to have good news on 2/3 months! Lets hope they do because the momentum is certainly running out and I wouldn't be surprised if new developments in the area such as Royal Obidus, Quintas etc are likely to be up and running before BS.
The lack of announcement on the hotel may be the reason owners are reluctant to start building - it is certainly enough to make me hold off construction on our villa.
I understand the Starwood group have reached agreement with Royal Obidos re its hotel so we can exclude that major 5 star hotel group (Westin, Starwood, St Regis etc) out of the running re BS! | JoseX |
| Its really good to see that others are also interested in reducing the carbon footprint and, in doing so, making the villas much more self sufficient. I am also interested to note that agents other than BS can provide service and that BS will work with that. I would imagine the costs would be lower in this situation though I suspect BS might want to take a substantial cut on this I look forward to reading further inputs in regard to this overall area.. | eilisc |
Greetings to all BS followers,
The construction of my house is ongoing and because the topic of alternative energies came up in this forum, I will pass on my experience on the subject.
I had previously contacted two suppliers of geothermal systems, and after I had decided which one I wanted to work with, I passed on the contact to the Acordo production staff to further integrate the new supplier in the production schedule. If anyone needs the contacts of the companies I contacted, please send me an email.
My geothermal instalation covers the needs for water heating for everyday use, as well as radiant floor heating for all the habitable areas of the house. However there is a provision or the possibility of an additional geothermal exchange unit to be added to the existing circuit , to cover the swimming pool needs, in case I feel there is a need for it.
I will be posting a few photos from my last visit. | joao.fig |
| I would be interested to know if anyone else is heating their pool and if so by what means and at what cost. At the moment we have said we will not heat the pool because the costs quoted - over €30k - (and therefore more than the cost of the pool itself) were silly so I am looking for more info here. | Derrick |
Glad to see a 'raft' of owners coming on-line and moving the discussion forward with Acordo. Similarly, we are waiting for our plot (120) to commence construction with May being the latest month flagged. We are intending to visit the site in May also to see physical progress as the website images are dated (November '07).
I agree with previous post that BS could do more on reducing the carbon footprint of these vilas but they appear to have an arrangement with local authority on related initiatives and planning is very strict for fitment of solar panels etc. I have seen cheaper quotes for ground source heating from local suppliers so worth going independently of BS and paying a 'change fee'.
With regard to the hotel plans, then I believe that the strong euro and launch of phase 3 may force Acordo's hand and they may have to give a little. The involvement of Souta Moura as the new hotel designer points towards a 'middle ground' given his local credentials and international reputation (Braga stadium etc). Like others, we remain committed but want to see a continuation of the developments quality and ideals (with a bit more gusto in getting construction moving).
We will revert back post our visit in May. | Richard S-L |
| This is the first time I have posted a message having only discovered the forum recently. We are interested in reducing our carbon footprint and are surprised at the lack measures in this regard. We have asked about using a geothermal system to heat the house and the pool and have got a quote for €65,000+VAT which seems huge. Does anyone else have any ideas on this whole area? | eilisc |
Re our plot, we have just heard back from Bom Sucesso and they have provided alot more info on where we are, which is good news. They have also given us another start date, lets see where we go with that one!
I have to say that their feedback has been good when asked, but i think they should provide regular updates without being prompted. In their note back to us they did acknowledge that they should be doing more on communicating with buyers and indicated that they are trying to put something in place.
Glad to hear that 51 is underway. I also agree, I don't want to be living on a building site but have been waiting a long time .. I am happy to hear though that some villas are well on the way.
For 51, hope all goes well with your visit and look forward to hearing how you think it is all going, perhaps you will be able to get the hotel operator out of them!
Still love the concept and feel it will be worth the wait
| helenm |
| We have plot 51 under construction and have seen pictures of walls and a roof which is consistent with what we have paid so far on the construction - just under half. Completion is scheduled for spring/early summer 2009 which is a very relaxed schedule. However not much point in rushing to occupy a property in the midst of a huge building site. My biggest concern is the lack of announcement of hotel operator. The sales staff are kept in the dark about this but they know its the number one priority. There was speculation that it might be announced alongside phase 3 but I have heard this date linking before. The problem appears to be that Acordo have very firm views on what the hotel should be like - and the potential hotel operators also have very firm views with the result that a deal has not yet been struck. I am visiting in 3 weeks time and will post another blog after that. | Derrick |
Hi,
Is it just us or is anyone else having trouble getting information out of Acordo/Bom Sucesso as to when construction will start? We bought back in october 2005 and are still waiting.....We bought a Nuno Graca Moura villa in the area 52-77. Every date we have been given has not materialised. Has anyone got a villa under construction and been provided with a date of completion?
Although the sales staff have provided feedback when asked, there doesn't seem to be anything in place to keep existing investors informed. I think it's pretty poor.
Anyone have any comments?
| helenm |
| Hi, new post here- found this site by accident. I am looking to sell my unit (216). To this end, does anyone know which is the best way to do this (and/or are interested in buying it)? Acordo charge an extortionate 9% plus VAT for re-sale! Does anyone know of any cheaper estate agents who might deal with this resort? Thanks in advance for any help. | rpbs |
| And before anyone asks, they were taken in 2008, but for some reason the system has shown the date as 2006 even though I clicked 2008 on the drop down box. | euroscooby |
| I have posted some recent photos but only much use if you are buying on Plot 217. These are expected to be finished in the Summer with documents being late Summer. | euroscooby |
Has anyone received any update regarding the announcement or otherwise of the hotel operator? | JoseX |
Unfortunately it seems to be the case, that the new lisbon airport will not be located in Ota (20 minutes from BS) anyway.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ota_Airport
The new location has app. the same distance to BS as the current. I don't know if this is the final decission as the discussion has been going on for years and years and "final" decissions has been made before in favour of Ota
Soren
| soren |
| I have just been notified that construction has started (as of Dec. 17th) on the next phase of villas including 92-94. Any confirmation would be appreciated. | martinm |
Looking to sell on 4 bed villa plot. Imminent construction. Plot 94 Souto Moura architect.Great design and one of best locations on development.. Any interested parties? | martinm |
Just back from visit to BS.Even though the pace is slow the whole place is impressive.Golf Course looks brilliant but can't see 18 holes avilable for play in 2008.As an engineer I am very impressed with the quality of the sevices and infrastructure.The Jessica Kuertin development adjacent is under construction.Saw the architect sketches for the hotel -exciting .Still no word about a hotel operator.
Rondini | Rondini |
Hallo, I can provide services in real state adviser.
If you interest send me a e-mail: RealStateAdvisers@gmail.com
best regards. | RealStateAdviser |
Hi martinm
Looked to be 2 holes seeded and one hole was just being graded by a JCB. | euroscooby |
| Euroscooby,
Did you get any answers on the 3 missing holes of the golf course?? As they haven't yet been landscaped or seeded I don't see how the course can open in 2008.
Regards,
Martin. | martinm |
Just returned from a sunny morning at Bom Sucesso. Completion of the first 125 dwellings is due May/June 2008 with deeds being exchanged in July 2008.
Building of hotel is due to finish in 2009 and the plans look stunning. No operator fyet ound or any sign of what they are going to do.
Third phase will include 9 hole golf course. There will be a Phase 4 but no plans yet.
Golf course looks like summer 2008. There will be a temporary club house at the start.
The Jessica Kureton site is levelled and off and running with a sales office on site.
| euroscooby |
| Hi all,
we have just returned from making a site visit and can pass on the following info.
Plots 58 to 55 (Nuno Moura villas) have now been fenced off, which is a legal requirement before commencing building, so it shouldn't be long.
The original concept of committing to immediate build has gone out of the window as the developer realises that it is more efficient to build more of the same villa designs at one time.There are currently 500 building contractors on site but for a project of this scale 5000 would be better.
The bath problem is beyond the developer's control (it is a point of law-apparently) and not up for discussion. The specification and quality of finishes varies radically between architects and villas and definately needs to be reviewed.
Three holes of the golf course have yet to be landscaped or seeded.
The realistic timescale for the earliest viable occupancy is Summer 2009.
We have asked for some minor changes which are being referred to the architect but in terms of finishings the contractor is unwilling to address individual concerns as they have bulk purchased the sanitaryware and so on. we discussed concealed air con (available in some villas) but not acceptable in our case.
The current argument is that we have bought works of art and therefore have no rights to change the architects vision but my concern is that many of the finishing details have been driven by price rather than design.
I think we were told that 500 of the 600 dwellings have now been sold and there are a small number of resales available in phase 1.
Regards,
Martin.
| martinm |
Hi all,
Has anyone got any advice of who to speak to, maybe you could reccomend myself and we could get a deal
Alan | alanand11 |
hi all,
Thinking off buying in Bon S an off plan villa. how does everyone feel about the length of time its taking to build their apartments/ townhouses/ villas. Obviously when the project is completed it will look amazing but have we got a realistic date.
Many thanks,
Alan | alanand11 |
Hi All
We have just returned from BS. Posted some pictures onto the site. It was great to actually see a lot of building work taking place. Apartment blocks 152 and 216 are well underway with bathroom tiling being installed. There were also about 15 villas under construction - all at various stages. All the roads are built on phase 1 and 2, so I guess they can now focus on building villas. Some had been rendered and sample paint colours used to see how they weather. They appear to be trialing a variety of materials on some of the villas to get the appearance and durability right. This is good news and shows a commitment to quality.
They are planning to build a few show homes at BS.
A London office is expected to open next week near Harrods. It will have a model of the whole estate just like the site sales office. Staff are being recruited.
Still no word on the hotel, but on speaking with Acordo they are also very keen to identify a top quality, sympathetic partner who will add to the five star ambience and style of the whole site. We do wish they would proceed quicker but do recognize the importance of getting it right,
There will also be financial pressures to get the hotel moving because some owners have hotel related rental agreements which will have to be satisfied. (there is a guaranteed yield on some of the apartments). I really believe that the Acordo directors and architects have so much passion for this development, that their mission to get it perfect. That is great for eventual quality but clearly it is impacting on the timelines !
The building work has also been held back by the need to resubmit drawings to get the whole development reclassified as a 5 star location. I do agree with other people writing on the blog that forcing all bathrooms to have showers inside is ridiculous. We have elderly relatives who cannot step over the side of a bath. If they visit they would not be able to shower for a week ! There must be someway that this ruling can be brought up to date.
Phase 4 is in the pipeline. The developers have bought some land which sits adjacent to fairways 6 & 7.
We remain very positive about the development - it is one of a kind in the world! It will attract attention from around the world once it is built.
There are starting to be announcements of other development nearby. I wonder if in a few years time the land stretching from Praia del Rey to BS will be sold to developers! This will be good for infrastructure, roads, restaurants etc, but not so great for those of us who would like to retire to a non tourist area, but we can’t have it both ways. The investment will be better if there are more villas around.
Amanda | mannieshort |
| All
Regarding the shower instead of the bath debacle...
We heard back from the developers and they are insistent that for a 5 star resort all the properties need to have a 'full bath' - which means a bath tub and a bidet too. As there is no room for the extra shower, they can't incorporate our plans to remove the bath. Ridiculous. I agree that to have to climb into a bath tub for a shower is plain silly. The sales person said that she understands that luxury in the modern sense is to have a separate shower but not according to Portuguese law. We are happy to put our voice behind all those who are asking for a separate shower! Seems quite a basic requirement....
Regards
Isa | Isa |
Hi
I am interested to know if any purchasers having villas designed by Nuno Graca Moura ie plots 52 to 87 are having any design problems/ issues with what is proposed for their villa
we are unhappy with 2 major areas
firstly the lack of seperate showers in the bathrooms,it is not acceptable for ''a design driven 5 star resort ,having to climb into a bath to have a shower is not acceptable
secondly we are not happy that there are no light wells in the ceiling in the corridor from the front door to the lounge,in the original plans we got in 2005 there were 3 light wells in this area but these have now gone so there will be no natural light in this area
we have requested a meeting with a decision maker in Accordo with a view to get these items altered at no extra build cost
we would be interested to know if other purchasers have the same concerns and if so the more people that demand these be rectified the better,also if you have any other issues
we appreciate at this point it only effects people going for immediate build (as we are ) but eventually the same design will be completed in each villa
regards john | john keppel |
| Hello All
It seems farcical that many have questioned the lack of at least a proper shower in detriment of the bath tub and yet the Bom Sucesso staff continue to argue the same line "In order to be considered a 5 star resort we have to license the projects with baths instead of showers".
If the legislation is old and not in touch with current standards and wishes of modern living couples, why the need to hold on to the "5 star resort" title. They should be striving to make our Bom Sucesso experience an enjoyable one as the name of the resort implies.
I am all for changing two of my four bath tubs into showers, but have had limited results from my insistence.
i sincerely hope that many more plot owners voice their opinion in this forum in order to gather momentum for change.
João Figueiredo
Plot 73 from Arq. Nuno Graça Moura | joao.fig |
John and Pauline
We were contacted a few days ago by the Sales people saying that building is going to start on Sep 15th.
We also questioned the fact that there was no separate shower in the master bedroom suite. We actually said that we preferred for the bath tub to be taken away and instead replaced with a heavy duty shower and steam unit. This is currently being investigated. There are two bathrooms in the villa plan and there is a tub and shower in the bigger bathroom. The sales office told us that for a 5 star resort there had to be a bath tub in every bathroom (but not necessarily a separate shower!)
regards
Isa
| Isa |
Hello from John & Pauline
we bought plt 81 in 2005 and earlire this year we signed for immediate build,we told building would commence in september but Idoubt if this will happen
we also have a place in nearby resort Prara del rey and are due to go out there on 25th September for 3 weeks
if there is anybody else going out to Bom Sucesso during that period we would love to meet them for a chat
one of the main problems we are having apart from the delay in building is the internal fittings for plot 81 in particular the plans have no seperate showers in the bathrooms but only have showers in the bath which we find totally unacceptable for a 5 star resort
we would like to make contact with other buyers in our area ie villas that are being designed by Nuno Graca Moura
many thanks
John & Pauline Keppel
00353 872222471 | john keppel |