private ownership of vacation homes - soon ??

[Tjello]

http://www.ekistics.ca/HTML%20Pages/tp_projects%20balcon.htm

Located nearby to Havana's most popular beaches, the Balcon de Santa Maria is the first comprehensively planned resort community in Cuba that will accommodate the private ownership of vacation homes. EKISTICS has completed the preliminary site planning for a community that, upon completion, will incorporate a variety of dwelling types, a commercial centre and "main street", a "residents' recreation centre and a school. Housing options range from large estate lots to street oriented townhomes and apartments. Two hotels will also be located on the site. The concept sensitively integrates New Urbanist planning principles with the traditional urban character of Havana.
Project Status Planning and approval process in progress

[Sancho]

It will be interesting to see if this becomes a reality. A couple of years ago, several other projects were started before the Cuban government put a stop to them.

The other vacation homes that were built in Havana were quite expensive and small by US standards. I remember seeing a 700 square foot condominium for $142,000.

You could stay in a casa particular for a long time at that price.

[beardo]

I'd guess this project was started under the laws that were stopped in ?2000 ?

Inmobiliaria CIMEX were one of the companies doing the condo developments in Miramar and are trying to find the cash to finish those as offices or as apartments for rent.

[honorianus]

:PIn 1997-99 there were several 5 star condominium developments built and the units were sold to foreigners for $80,000 to $250,000. These condos are absolutely gorgeous. You can see several of them on 5th avenue in Miramar. Unfortunately the Cuban gov. decreed in 2000 that there would be no more private ownership of these homes :'(and that the current owners would have to sell their condos to the gov. if and when they decided to sell. The gov. then commenced renting out these condos on a monthly basis. Ah what a dream it would be to own your own vacation home in Cuba!!! Imagine going back to your own place with your lover for a roll in the hay without all the aggravation of a pea-brained cop or rooming-house owner asking 50 questiones and demanding ID at 3:00AM!!!