Sunday, October 24, 2010

Jack Zehren talks about the Master Plan

We sat in on a talk Jack Zehren gave about the master plan. These are my casual notes.

The gated entrance leads to a transitional wooded area meant to create a sense of ease after being in town.

All vineyards are planted. Some vineyards are 40 years old.

Salta has an equestrian heritage. Many parts of the Inca trail terminated in Salta.

Currently, La Estancia wine is made at Porvenir winery.

Over the last two months, 1,500 trees have been planted in La Estancia.

The Grace Hotel group has signed an agreement with La Estancia to build a 50-room spa hotel in an area of garden/patio-style homes.

La Estancia’s 360 lots, of which 150-160 are sold, include 1/4-acre lots around the intended pueblito, larger lots sited next to vineyards & the golf course, & 2-5-acre lots in the dunes. The 360 home count does not include the approximately 80 living units — apartments, small garden homes — in the pueblito.

The goal is that buildings take simple forms & are built from natural materials. Exterior home colors are intended to blend comfortably into the landscape.

The spa/fitness center plans are currently out for bid. Construction should begin soon.

Construction on the social club may begin about a year from now. The social club will include a 40-50-seat full-service restaurant.

The equestrian center will stable community-owned horses & privately-owned horses. The polo field is already built. The 2nd polo field, which will be located a short distance inside the entry gate, will likely be used for competitions. A path for exercising horses will be built around the vineyards across from the polo field.