D I S T I N C T I V E C O M M U N I T I E S B Y

D E L M A R D E V E L O P M E N T

Villas Del Mar

Espiritu Del Mar

Oasis Palmilla

homes to last 100 years

for generations to enjoy

the color of cabo a spectacular

collection of images

perfected

the art ofliving

escapesL O S C A B O S M E X I C O

DelMar

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BUILT TO

LAST FOR

GENERATIONS

TO ENJOY

hundred-yearhome

the

There are many remarkable sights to

see along the 20-mile stretch of scenic

Baja California coastline called Los

Cabos. Some are natural phenomena

such as the majestic rock formations

at Land’s End; while others are cultural,

such as the old mission in San Jose

del Cabo (circa 1730). But one sight

combines these elements of land

sculpted by nature with the visionary

touch of human hands: Casita Mountain

in Villas Del Mar, a majestic point of

land overlooking the Sea of Cortez.

BY K

ATH

RYN

HEL

TSLE

Y

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SOLD BEFORE COMPLETION,

THOSE SIX VILLAS REPRESENTED

THE BEGINNINGS OF VILLAS

DEL MAR AND PROVED THERE

WAS IMMENSE POTENTIAL IN

THE STEEP, DRAMATIC HILLSIDE

OVERLOOKING THE SEA.

With all the development along this magical coastline, what is it about Casita Mountain and Villas Del Mar that sets it apart and makes people want to take a closer look? According to Robert Jones, Vice President of Construction at Del Mar Development, it is the appropriate use of the land and the construction of homes built to last for generations to enjoy. “The concept of the Hundred-Year Home is a reflection of something that I see happening down here,” Jones says. “If you look at the old-world architecture of places like Montemarte in France, there is an intangible quality to them. Those communities fit perfectly into their space. You just know that they’ve been there for a hundred years and they will be

steep, dramatic hillside overlooking the sea that other developers had thought to be unbuildable.

This passion for the land is evident in the fabric of Villas Del Mar, as well as in the neighboring communi-ties of Espiritu Del Mar and Oasis Palmilla. “We envision each community and how it will interact with the site,” Jones says. “This initial survey is just as important as the specifics of each individual house.”

Long-time Villas Del Mar resident Dick Michaux couldn’t agree more. Michaux and his wife Ginny have lived in Villas Del Mar since 1999. “When we first came to Villas Del Mar we weren’t really looking for a place, but we were captured by the location, the charm and the weather,” he says.

The Michauxs now have six grandchildren and a lot

Robert Jones, Vice President of Construction for

Del Mar Development, believes in first impres-

sions. “I call it the First Seven Seconds,” he says.

“The first passage into the house is critical. A

person can walk into a home and say, ‘I love it.’

That’s why we’ve added archways, immediate

views out to the sea, intricately crafted wrought

iron gates off the street and artisan touches

throughout the home.”

Jones says his mission—for the important

first seven seconds and beyond—is to make

homeowners’ dreams come true. “The quality of

the design, craftsmanship and materials of our

homes is a given,” he says. “So what I concentrate

on is the dream. Between someone’s needs are

their dreams. If you are listening, you can hear

that. We design to those dreams.

Those intangibles, those dreams, are what

Jones translates into the design of a home.

“We’ve built yoga rooms, writing rooms, chef’s

kitchens,” he says. “Those are the things that

transform a house into a dream home.

“One homeowner talked about how much he

enjoyed fresh-squeezed limes in his margaritas,

so we added fruit-bearing lime trees in the yard.

Another homeowner remarked how much she

loved sliced Mexican mangoes for breakfast,

so we planted her mango trees. Another said

how much she loved the smell of plumeria, so

we planted plumeria at her entry so she got

that scent every time she walked into her home.

Those things are not on the design plan, but

those are the things I listen for.”

there for a hundred more. That is what Casita Mountain is, without a doubt.”

A n E x t r A o r d i n A r y S i t E

Del Mar Development was formed soon after developers Ron Hatfield and Kenneth Schnitzer discovered the site while vacationing in Palmilla in 1995. Immediately recognizing that they had encountered something extraordinary, the duo bought the land and built six villas, harnessing innovation and a passionate commitment to quality that was previously unheard of in Cabo. Sold before completion, those six villas represented the beginnings of Villas Del Mar and proved there was immense potential in the

designing the dream

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Long-time Villas Del Mar resident 

Dick Michaux and his wife Ginny 

have lived in Villas Del Mar since 

1999. “When we first came to Villas 

Del Mar we weren’t really looking 

for a place, but we were captured 

by the location, the charm and 

the weather,” he says.

of memories surrounding their home in Villas Del Mar. In residence from the middle of November to the first week of April, the Michaux’s two children and their families visit during the holidays, and Spring Break has become a family tradition. “We have a big multi-generation and multi-family week, and everyone just pitches in to get things done,” Michaux says. “The highlight for the parents in coming down here is to enjoy their children. They work hard, and when they come down here they just want to spend time with the kids.” 

Other activities take a backseat to quality fam-ily time for the Michaux clan. Life centers around the beach and the pool, as well as the kitchen. “We cook, we enjoy meals together, eat healthily at home,” he says. The kitchen and options for outdoor living are big sources of satisfaction and fit perfectly with their Los Cabos lifestyle.

r o c k- S o l i d F o u n d A t i o n

Jones’ goal is to build a community of homes that will last for centuries, taking on the venerable feel of the neighborhoods he so admires in other parts of the world. To accomplish this, he and his team

consider long-term questions, such as the best use of the land to withstand the tests of time and nature. A lot of planning goes into protect-ing the views and emphasizing the quality of the architectural design of each home and its relationship with the setting.

Eschewing the “McMansion” concept, Jones focuses on creating an architectural brand authentic to Old Mexico. “We do that by paying attention to the details,” Jones explains. “The people we work with are all very passionate about the design process, and in the end, these passionate designers leave behind a product that has an emotional honesty.”

The Michaux family experienced this passionate creative process when their home was built. When they first arrived all they saw was a piece of earth with lines denoting the outer walls. Even though the house was not yet built, the surrounding community inspired confidence. “The double seawall they had built went all the way down to the bedrock,” Dick says. “That gave us the feeling that our home wasn’t going to wash away. We bought the dirt with lines, started dreaming about it, and

when we moved in it was everything we had dreamed about.”

As they watched their dream home unfold, the Michauxs got to know the construction crew and developed a friendship with Jones which remains steadfast today. “We got to know Robert,” Michaux says, “and he translated our choices into reality. It’s what I call world-class real estate in a world-class setting.”

A S E n S E o F P r E S E n c E

When you walk into one of Jones’ homes, the house itself has a strong sense of presence. “I see people react to it all the time,” says Jones. The home feels stable, solid and handmade. Nothing is prefabricated; everything is made on site with the finest quality materials. In addition, Del Mar Construction sources many local and indigenous materials, giving the home a real sense of belonging within the location.

In his designs, Jones pairs opposing con-cepts to make everyday experiences extraor-dinary, such as taking a shower with an ocean view, or having a dining room under the stars. Carefully crafted piece by piece, the homes

are also designed to be low maintenance. “The less there is to maintain, the longer the house is going to last,” is Jones’ philosophy.

Michaux echoes this sentiment. “We never have to worry about the structure itself,” he says. This allows the family a more carefree lifestyle. Michaux likes the fact that when they arrive each year in November, “everything has been set up for us and it’s shiny and bright.” No concern about cracks in the ceiling, leaky faucets or storm dam-age. And if there was a problem, Michaux says, “The great thing is that Robert Jones is still there. They have given us the legacy of great management.”

Jones gets a lot of his inspiration and design ideas by listening to the owners. Listening, he says, opens him up to new ideas and shows him new ways to deliver on dreams. “We’ve built the houses, but the people that go in and occupy them are the special element,” he says. “The owners provide the most important intangible. It is they who will make sure Villas Del Mar stays pure for years and years to come.”

DEL MAR

CONSTRUCTION

SOURCES MANY

LOCAL AND

INDIGENOUS

MATERIALS, GIVING

THE HOME A

REAL SENSE OF

BELONGING WITHIN

THE LOCATION.