BajaNomad

Construction Begins on Totally Solar Powered Beach Club Complex at Rancho Costa Verde, a San Felipe Real Estate Development

Gypsy Jan - 3-16-2013 at 01:47 PM

From PRWEB

"Rancho Costa Verde has begun construction on a completely solar powered luxury beach clubhouse that is entirely "off grid." The future of "Green" technology is happening in Baja California's premiere green real estate development.

San Felipe, Baja Norte (PRWEB) March 08, 2013
The future of Green solar powered resort style living is happening now in Baja, California. Rancho Costa Verde recently had a ground breaking ceremony the weekend of February 23rd for the construction of its beach club with clubhouse, restaurant, bar, pool and casitas. Rancho Costa Verde is a San Felipe real estate development with a totally unique green master planned beach community south of San Felipe at KM 52.5 which offers beautiful quarter acre properties each with an incorporable view of the Sea of Cortez from the unbelievable price of $17,500 with a bonus. That bonus is the use of one of the casitas, located in the Beach Club Complex for one week a year for our home site owners, forever, as long as they are owners – it’s like getting a free vacation week with each purchase of a property.

What does Green mean at Ranch Costa Verde? It means that the entire Beach Club Complex with restaurant and bar as well as an infinity saltwater pool and hot tub along with twelve bungalow units, or casitas, will be completely solar powered. The Beach Club Complex will be utilizing salt water desalinization systems as well as waste management systems to provide, conserve, and recycle water.

The development is permitted for a well that will provide water to the entire beach club complex through a desalinization processing plant. The bar and grill, the pool and hot tub, and each of the twelve casita units will all be provided electricity through cutting edge solar power technology. The beach club bar/kitchen along with the restaurant will be equipped with air-conditioning, high def televisions and high speed wifi internet. Each of the casita units will also be equipped with A/C and full bathrooms as well. The infinity pool, pumps, hot tub; all will be powered by the sun.

“We will be providing to our owners at Rancho Costa Verde all the luxuries and amenities one would expect at a first class beach club overlooking The Sea of Cortez. The difference between our beach club from any other is that it will be completely solar powered and self sustaining,” says Frank Ingrande, principal and co-founder. He continues, “We at Rancho Costa Verde are very excited to show that ‘Going Green’ no longer means going without. This Beach club will be a clear example of what can be done today, as well as what the future holds, for green construction technology.”

Rancho Costa Verde is a master planned real estate community that offers breathtaking 360-degree sea and mountain views from every home site. This cutting edge development is a totally solar powered community, which takes advantage of the very latest advances in solar power and green technology, as well as the unique, breath-taking natural amenities that only Baja California provides, to offer a style and standard of living that many Americans once thought out of reach.

It is a 350 acre San Felipe real estate master planned community that will remain 50% undeveloped. What that means is that half will never be touched while 40% is set aside as a registered ecological preserve. Of the 350 acres there are only 364 home sites. The average custom parcel is a 1/4-acre, and starts as low as $17,500.00 and includes the use of the casitas every year. There are custom homes completed at Rancho Costa Verde, with part and full time residents. When owners are ready to build, Rancho Costa Verde is building luxury custom homes from less than $75 a square foot.

The weekend was truly a ground breaking event, and it’s all happening in Baja California, at Rancho Costa Verde."

Chuck Milles
Rancho Costa Verde Development, LLC
858-382-9071

DavidE - 3-16-2013 at 02:00 PM

Hope they have lotsa cash. Roughly penciled out, they're going to need almost a hundred panels and 30 kWh worth of batteries. IMHO change "green" to "dark".

capt. mike - 3-17-2013 at 11:12 AM

100 panels won't even touch it. What mexico needs is a grid tie program and skip the batteries.
i'd like to see their full elec load calcs with AC.

they'd do better with concentric mirrored collectors and a salt storage tank design to power steam turbines that can gen elec.

monoloco - 3-17-2013 at 11:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
100 panels won't even touch it. What mexico needs is a grid tie program and skip the batteries.
i'd like to see their full elec load calcs with AC.

they'd do better with concentric mirrored collectors and a salt storage tank design to power steam turbines that can gen elec.
Usually, when a Mexican development advertises that they will be solar, it means they don't have the capital to connect to the grid. Grid tie is available here, I know several who are connected that way.

[Edited on 3-17-2013 by monoloco]

steekers - 12-23-2014 at 10:01 PM

From what I know about this project its sales people RMAC are the same ones who sold a ton of dirt on El Dorado Ranch and now there are at least 2 California judgments for about $1 million USD and these are just the tip of the fraud iceberg. So why did the sales rats abandon EDR?

David K - 12-24-2014 at 10:05 AM

"Rancho Costa Verde is a San Felipe real estate development with a totally unique green master planned beach community south of San Felipe at KM 52.5 which offers beautiful quarter acre properties each with an incorporable view of the Sea of Cortez from the unbelievable price of $17,500 with a bonus."

The location is closer to Puertecitos than San Felipe, about halfaway between El Coloradito and Campo Cristina... just beyond were all the camp listings thin out and there is empty coastline:



[Edited on 12-24-2014 by David K]

Bruce R Leech - 12-24-2014 at 12:36 PM

they will through up a few panels and a big diesel generator.

treuboff - 12-24-2014 at 02:06 PM

If it's too good to be true, well you know the rest.

ncampion - 12-24-2014 at 05:43 PM

So it's coming up on two years out now, does anyone know if there has actually been any construction/development yet? I want to swim in that solar powered, desalinated water infinity pool.

bajacalifornian - 12-24-2014 at 11:53 PM


Hey Gypsy Jan,


In my usual lazy way, didn't read the long post, but "Welcome home"!

wilderone - 2-5-2015 at 07:15 AM

I went to a presentation last night in San Diego. Says 90% of Phase 1 (described above - the 364 parcels) has sold out. Now selling Phase 2. Says they're building 10 homes now, with 10 more being planned - several already built. Homes are built to your specifications and you can build any time - you buy the lot and then do what you want. You can also move a trailer on if it is enclosed and can't be seen! There is a humidity water collector, as well as a reclaimed water treatment system for each home. Building homes with block styrene (sp?). I may do a 2-night weekend jaunt to check it out - curious about the construction techniques. Says this is one of FONATUR's projects, is 30 miles south of San Felipe, is marketing in Tennessee, Chicago, Canada. The guy giving the presentation was affilliated with El Dorado Ranch years ago I believe, so at least he's very knowledgeable about all associated issues.

EP construction

durrelllrobert - 2-5-2015 at 09:29 AM

Correct terminology for blocks is Expanded Polystyrene.
Here's picture of an EP house under construction:

steekers - 2-5-2015 at 10:35 AM

Wilderone: Those agents are from R-MAC and they are not truthful about permits that they currently DO NOT HAVE. If I were you I would steer clear of that project as there are now some folks that have already bought lots down there that are demanding their money back. The project is run by guys that used to work for El Dorado Ranch and Pat Butler. Even EDR has big-time problems right now and would not buy there either!:?:

wilderone - 2-5-2015 at 05:32 PM

steekers - I would not purchase a lot and build a home in San Felipe. I like to travel to different parts of Mexico - not go to the same spot all the time. The 3-day trip is free, and I'm curious about the construction and project location, and I haven't been to San Felipe in years, so I'd like to see the route of travel and any upgrades, changes, etc.

meme - 2-6-2015 at 09:54 AM

Well, one thing they won't need to worry much about is landscaping as it's in a river bed & great piles of rocks. Also it's a long stretch from Hwy to RCV & lots of grades up & down. Those folks will need to pray they keep that road in graded & in good shape. I also have questioned if those lots are registered or not & I'm hearing not. I would not deal with those sales people for any amount of $$$. Very questionable ethics. I have seen & heard more of the operation they had at EDR as I live there.:?:

PaulW - 2-6-2015 at 01:28 PM

Quoting
Rancho Costa Verde is a San Felipe real estate development with a totally unique green master planned beach community south of San Felipe at KM 52.5
==
I would call it k52.7 Almost exactly at the OPR/Mx5 junction
They have a nice new entrance in the wash ? then the road travels up the bank on the way to the coast.
From the Almanac it looks like N of Christina and either at Vallarta or S of Vallarta?
PW

wilderone - 2-17-2015 at 11:05 AM

I'm back from Rancho Costa Verde, but can't post a reply. I typed in Word with Photobucket photos interspersed to paste. I get a message that I have to enter a title and a message. ?? Oh well.

David K - 2-17-2015 at 11:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
I'm back from Rancho Costa Verde, but can't post a reply. I typed in Word with Photobucket photos interspersed to paste. I get a message that I have to enter a title and a message. ?? Oh well.


You got to type it here, or send it to me or Doug to fix... no accents, degree symbols, or n's with tildes over them. Some Word fonts don't work either. I want to read and see your report Cindi, as I am sure others will too!

David K - 2-17-2015 at 01:31 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
I'm back from Rancho Costa Verde, but can't post a reply. I typed in Word with Photobucket photos interspersed to paste. I get a message that I have to enter a title and a message. ?? Oh well.


OK so I went to Rancho Costa Verde. Had an awesome time so many great people I met, and apparently there were some sales of lots this weekend. We stayed at Las Palmas in San Felipe Saturday night, and spent all of Sunday on the property site. It is just north of Coloradito it took an hour to drive there from San Felipe, driving at average speed. Nothing nearby Delicias is about 5 to 6 miles north. Here is the approach the cheap lots ($17K) start just after the turnoff and continue east TWO MILES to the Gulf beach there are lots right on the beach at $100K.





There is a home built that was open as a base of operations. It seemed to me it was built on a raised or packed sand foundation, with arroyo or drainage on each side what do you think?





Here is their beach pebbles and rocks if you have a boat you have to enclose it. They said that another developer is planning a hotel, marina and golf course north of the property and has their permits for it.







I saw about 5 completed homes and 3 under construction. They say it takes 6 mo. to build a home they have four contracting companies they use. There are solar panels and the Mighty Mac water treatment tank on each home. Water is delivered, propane tanks for stoves. Off the grid in every respect. They say they are not going to pave the entry road. There are graded streets to access lots.

What do you think of the wiring? I do not know anything about solar power, but the familiar Romex wiring I did not see.







Polystyrene block ceiling



They say they have such confidence in the success of the project, they built the clubhouse, pool and hot tub.







In true Baja style, they served lunch on the beach:



There is a commercial clamming building about 0.5 mi down the beach RCV people say they will soon own that adjacent property too. They talked about an airport bypass road that will make the trip from San Felipe a 15 minute drive. I have no idea what they are talking about any way you look at it, it will be at least a 35 mi. drive. At 60 mph that still 35 minutes. ?? Two hours from San Felipe to the Mexicali border, 2 hours to San Diego. We returned via the east gate nobody in the walk across line it is 7 mi. east of Calexico. It was an informative trip, and way fun. I have more photos if you are interested.

David K - 2-17-2015 at 01:39 PM

OK, it took a few times, but you can't have can't or you're, or they're or " marks from Word... the apostrophes are not recognized by Doug's new program. So, I edited some of the words and also removed the dashes just in case they were an issue.

As for the airport bypass, the long range Hwy. 5 plan is to head south of San Felipe from before the entry arch, so no slowing for all the town stop signs and topes, signals, etc. The new highway will follow roughly the old Puertecitos road alignment until it meets the coastal road, as it does now, just south of Coloradito.

As you said, it is still over 35 miles in distance, and unless we drive it well over 100 mph, it won't be a 15 minute drive.

upper west sea of cortez

captkw - 2-17-2015 at 01:50 PM

the only place (area) I don't know...so I ask a stupid question!! where does the H20 come from ???? the River is gone before it reaches the sea...:?:.....PS....welcome back Jan !!! hope your feeling GREAT !!

[Edited on 2-17-2015 by captkw]

David K - 2-17-2015 at 02:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by captkw  
the only place (area) I don't know...so I ask a stupid question!! where does the H20 come from ???? the River is gone before it reaches the sea...:?:.....PS....welcome back Jan !!! hope your feeling GREAT !!

[Edited on 2-17-2015 by captkw]


Jan's post was from almost 2 years ago.

The only fresh surface water is 35 miles west in Matomi Canyon... So ground water or desalinized sea water (which requires electricity) is it.

ncampion - 2-17-2015 at 02:05 PM

I notice in one rooftop picture there is a compressor/condenser unit for a Mini-split AC unit. Is the solar power system sized to handle AC in that house?

captkw - I'm sure the water will come via water trucks from San Felipe, a bit expensive but the only choice other than a local de-sal unit.

PaulW - 2-17-2015 at 02:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ncampion  
I notice in one rooftop picture there is a compressor/condenser unit for a Mini-split AC unit. Is the solar power system sized to handle AC in that house?

captkw - I'm sure the water will come via water trucks from San Felipe, a bit expensive but the only choice other than a local de-sal unit.

====
Good water down south comes from a well at km60+ via truck. If it was my place I would run it thru an RO system to remove the dissolved salts. We have to do that with the municipal water in SF also.
Splits are very efficient we see them in the solar communities. Just add panels and batteries and keep the AC unit small.
PW

David K - 2-17-2015 at 04:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Quote: Originally posted by ncampion  
I notice in one rooftop picture there is a compressor/condenser unit for a Mini-split AC unit. Is the solar power system sized to handle AC in that house?

captkw - I'm sure the water will come via water trucks from San Felipe, a bit expensive but the only choice other than a local de-sal unit.

====
Good water down south comes from a well at km60+ via truck. If it was my place I would run it thru an RO system to remove the dissolved salts. We have to do that with the municipal water in SF also.
Splits are very efficient we see them in the solar communities. Just add panels and batteries and keep the AC unit small.
PW


That sounds like the Arroyo Matomi well (near Rancho San Rafael)... it's been there since the 50's I think!

ncampion - 2-17-2015 at 08:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by PaulW  
Quote: Originally posted by ncampion  
I notice in one rooftop picture there is a compressor/condenser unit for a Mini-split AC unit. Is the solar power system sized to handle AC in that house?

Splits are very efficient we see them in the solar communities. Just add panels and batteries and keep the AC unit small.
PW


Yes, I use mini splits in my off grid, solar house, but I have 6500 watts of panels, didn't see anywhere near that many in that picture, maybe in some other area.

tigerdog - 3-1-2015 at 01:31 AM

I looked at the website for the development and it's so NOT updated that they still have a page touting the excitement of the Escalara Nautica on it. I kid you not. http://ranchocostaverde.com/?page_id=144 Among other things there's a small picture of a couple of boats with a caption that says "The Escalera Nautica is happening NOW in San Felipe".

And this:

THE ESCALERA NAUTICA
OMFG, lol.

Where does the water come from?

Howard - 3-1-2015 at 07:53 AM

Just ask Mr. Gomez in the book God and Mr. Gomez by Jack Smith

SFandH - 3-1-2015 at 08:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by captkw  
the only place (area) I don't know...so I ask a stupid question!! where does the H20 come from ????


Rainfall, of course. ;D