By NICK KAYE
June 30, 2006
Castello di Casole
WHAT -- Luxury resort and residential development surrounding a restored castle. WHERE -- Tuscany. AMENITIES -- Infinity pools, a full-service spa and personal chefs, among others. PRICES -- $5 million to $6 million for full ownership of properties; a 10th fractional share for $550,000. STATUS -- Seven of the 17 properties have been built; the rest will be finished by 2008. The hotel should be completed in summer 2008. DEVELOPERS -- Timbers Company and SV Capital. CONTACT -- (866) 963-5005 or www.castellodicasole.com. DETAILS -- This development near Siena, Italy, is on a 5,500-acre estate with a 12th-century castle, which is being converted into a 40-suite hotel. Farmhouse villas are also being modernized and sold in both full-ownership and fractional shares; fractional owners are guaranteed four weeks a year, and may book more time depending on availability. The architect and designer Alessandro Mendini is involved in the project, which also includes new hotel suite buildings. The 4,000-to-7,000-square-foot residences will have infinity pools, guesthouses and personal chefs, and there will be a full-service spa and three restaurants in the hotel. The estate features a vineyard and olive groves, and available activities include bocce ball, bicycling and riding at a nearby equestrian center.
The Club At Hidden Meadow Ranch
WHAT -- Residential development at a luxury ranch resort. WHERE -- The White Mountains in eastern Arizona, about four hours from Phoenix by car. AMENITIES -- An indoor pool, a full-service spa, hiking and fly-fishing, among others. PRICES -- Fractional-ownership cabins start at $295,000 for a one-sixth share; home sites from $350,000. STATUS -- All properties and home sites are expected to be completed in seven years. DEVELOPERS -- Tim and Casey Bolinger and Gary and Jeanne Herberger. CONTACT -- (866) 333-4080 or www.hiddenmeadow.com. DETAILS -- This development adjoining the Hidden Meadow Ranch resort, which opened in 2002, sits among forests of aspen and ponderosa pine trees on 150 acres in the Apache National Forest. It consists of 28 three- and four-bedroom hand-peeled log cabins and 19 home sites from about one to two and a half acres where buyers can build their own houses. Fractional owners can book two months a year in advance, with more time granted depending on availability. The resort's main building has a restaurant and a 35-foot-tall granite fireplace, and an indoor pool and a full-service spa will be built. Activities include horseback riding, fly-fishing and archery, and the development is surrounded by 2,000 miles of trails for hiking and riding. NICK KAYE
Breaking Ground is a weekly look at projects, planned or under construction, that include weekend or vacation homes.