Playa del Carmen Forum: What is being built south of SMB?

That is a similar story to what I heard about the building right next to SMB. But farther down, we saw construction similiar to what doc described. The story told by the horseback company was the owner of the chain pharmacy with the Dr. Simi mascot is building a house for himself and all his women (hence the wings and different rooms). Who knows? ;) CW

We heard from Capt. Nemo of the "10 & 2" tours that this was to be the home of a politician. Apparently, much of the land in this area is protected and only the wealthy can gain access to this slice of heavan. Just what I recall hearing.

Capt. Nemo also said that the Maroma Resort to left of Secrets Maroma started out as a private residence but then was later transformed into a resort. Story has it that one owner refused to sell and now lives amongst the vacationers. I know, real exciting right? That house being built with the slides has been under construction for years. I guess he either ran out of money or has been arrested for something.

Why do so many assume that the owner is a drug lord or a politician?

Has it occured to you that just maybe the owner was effected by the financial crisis? the swine flu crisis? or even Hurricane Wilma 5 years ago?

No land is "protected" for the wealthy. The only land that is protected is "Ejido" land and is rarely, if ever, ocean front. In Playa, Ejido land is West of hiway 307 between Jaurez and Constityuentes and is land given to the settlers of the area by the federal government. This is common in many areas of Mexico.

Anyone can buy ocean front property including non nationals, if you have the money to pay for it. Ocean front property in that area starts at 500 USD a square meter, so assuming a 2 hectare site ( 20,000 sq meters), the land value is 10 Mill USD. The site is probably larger than 2 hectares. Ocean front land in Playa, what is left, can't be had for under $3000 USD a sq meter.

I'll confirm all the above with Capt. Nemo

Calm down, Chris. Pull the jellyfish out of your rudder and read a little more carefully, why don't you? No one said anything about anyone being a drug lord. No one said with certainty that the hearsay politician was definitely arrested for being corrupt, although let's face it, most are here in the U.S., Mexico and everywhere, for that matter. Are you saying that none of the land here is protected? That is not what I recall being told, although maybe I misunderstood. I believe I remember being told there were limits on how much could be developed, which makes the land expensive so only the rich can afford it. Also, no reasons were given why the owner may have fallen on hard finacial times, just that he may have ran out of money. Tu Comprende ahora? Please, go speak to Capt. Nemo and set us straight why don't you?

We heard from Capt. Nemo of the "10 & 2" tours that this was to be the home of a politician. Apparently, much of the land in this area is protected and only the wealthy can gain access to this slice of heavan. Just what I recall hearing.

Capt. Nemo also said that the Maroma Resort to left of Secrets Maroma started out as a private residence but then was later transformed into a resort. Story has it that one owner refused to sell and now lives amongst the vacationers. I know, real exciting right? That house being built with the slides has been under construction for years. I guess he either ran out of money or has been arrested for something.

Vac dude,

I was attempting to correct the assumptions and suggest that a Capt Nemo from a tour company may not be the best source. I think I clearly explained who can and can't own ocean front property, as the implication was "that it was protected for the wealthy", which is simply not the case.

I think that posting "what you heard" regarding a politician, a businessman, or if he/she went to jail, without providing the true facts is not proper.JMO.

I get that, but than why did you say you would be confirming with Capt. Nemo if he isn't a good source of info?

I was being sarcastic about checking with a Capt Nemo.

Just a few points: Captain MEMO is not with a tour company. He has a private boat that he takes 2-4 people on sailing/snorkeling tours. That being said, during our previous 3 visits to the EDM we have also seen this "house". During our first visit in Sept. 2008, just the house was under construction, in Sept 2009 a huge dock had been built by the owners.

Last month, the dock had been torn down and construction has been completely haulted. What we heard was that the house was too big for the lot (so much of the land has to be kept as is without any building per sq feet of actual building). But that was not done here and the construction was haulted by the govt. Not sure about this, but I think we heard that the owner was in food service supply or something. From what I recall, fines have to be paid before construction can resume.

Now that makes more sense and seems to have some facts attached to it.

Thank you Akandal