You can buy a piece of Southlands for just $265,000.

Southlands Ltd. say the price of a fractional suite, complete with Butler, will range from $265,000 to $1.2 million. This buys you a one-sixth share in a 'Bermudian-style' villa, equating to eight weeks' holiday a year — or four fortnights.

A total of 311 suites are planned, of which 135 will be sold as fractional vacational units. Developers are to build four blocks with 66 suites above the cliff face, overlooking the ocean. Two of the five-storey blocks will offer balcony suites for sale, with the remaining shared-ownership villas dotted around the perimeter of the Southlands estate.

The remaining two cliff-top blocks will provide hotel suites, while the core guest accommodation will be set back on the estate. Four five-storey blocks are to be built in front of the main house, featuring balcony suites overlooking the ocean, and Belmont Hills Golf Club to the rear.

Traffic along South Road will be diverted from the coastal road into a tunnel running beneath a land bridge which connects the north and south sections of the resort. The 17 two-storey beachfront suites — to be built into the cliff-face — will be reserved for hotel guests.

In each hotel and fractional unit, architects Botelho Wood aim to combine traditional features such as Bermudian stonework with modern design. The extensive use of glass will provide scenic panoramas over the Atlantic Ocean. Guests of Jumeirah Southlands will be able to enjoy a 1,700 ft beachfront plus all the amenities of a five-star resort. An open air lobby is planned, while the spa will be subterranean in style, built underneath the ground at the rear of the main house.

There will also be five restaurants and bars, a nightclub, equestrian centre, two swimming pools and a conference centre. Developers say they will retain the Quarry Gardens, Banyan trees and the main house in their natural state.

The main house is an outstanding example of Bermudian architecture, dating back to 1745 and featuring three butteries.

The mausoleum where former estate owner James Morgan (1846-1932) and his wife Anna E. Lyman Morgan (1847-1929) were buried will also remain intact. However, three of the seven farm cottages will be levelled. Southlands Ltd. plan to create walking trails through the maze-like Quarry Gardens, enabling visitors to ramble through a rich variety of flora and fauna, the two stone tunnels and ten ponds.

The Special Development Order was approved by Cabinet and rubber-stamped by Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield after the original Planning application was rejected by Planning officials. The first phase of the resort — the beachfront suites and entertainment complex, is now expected to be completed by early 2009. Developers aim to open the completed Jumeirah Southlands resort by the end of 2011.

Jens Maitland, vice president of sales for Southlands, said the fractional vacation units could go on sale in as little as three months. "We will have to start our marketing and advertising, setting up websites and DVDs, so it will take another 12 weeks before we go to market," he said.