Bermuda’s latest affordable condos will feel “more like a hotel than your home,” according to Minister Walter Roban.The Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure has revealed the first phase of 24 units at the Grand Atlantic development will be complete in two months.Mr Roban said the condos on South Shore Road in Warwick offered all the luxuries of a hotel, adding: “I wouldn’t mind coming to stay a few days myself.”But the Minister will have to wait in line as more than 70 people have already expressed an interest in snapping up the new Government housing. Mr Roban sang the praises of the development at a press conference yesterday saying the condos were bordered by Southlands, which is soon to become a national park, and had impressive views of “the beautiful, almost paradise, South Shore.”Mr Roban said: ““Continuing the trend of providing housing units for Bermudians, at the end of August, 24 Grand Atlantic units will be available for sale by those wishing to purchase their own homes or downsize to an ocean view property.”Construction on the Grand Atlantic project began in July last year at the former Golden Hind Resort, opposite The Swizzle South Shore. The $150 million development will eventually feature a total 125 affordable homes, including 95 two-bedroom condos and 30 three-bedroom units. The first phase of the development includes 60 homes with two-bedrooms and one bathroom and 18 homes with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Already completed are three-storey buildings right on the cliff’s edge. Residents will eventually have full access to the Southlands beach and park.The buildings have been built to hurricane strength and the relevant environmental precautions were taken to prevent cliff erosion. The units will set you back $495,000 for two-bedroomed units and $670,000 for the three-bedroom units.Mr Roban said the condos had been the first phase as “Bermudians are our top priority” with phase two to include the development of a hotel. It has previously been reported that it will be a 100-room hotel and 20 fractional units.Developer Gilbert Lopes of GL Construction, who was responsible for the two condo buildings on Dundonald Street, has used traditional Bermudian building methods at Grand Atlantic.Mr Roban said he was pleased the Ascendant Group, the parent company of BELCO, had come on-board to ensure 58 of the 78 units in the later phases of the development had a renewable energy component built into the design.The properties will have a backup generator so they are self-sufficient in the event of a power outage. They will also incorporate an alternative energy system with propane appliances, and have a water thermal heater on the roof. Mr Roban said the public-private partnership was working towards “changing the energy mix.”He said: “The incorporation of an alternative energy system is in line with the Government’s and Ascendant Group’s stance of recognising methods of embracing alternative energy for the country and thereby reducing the Island’s reliance on fossil fuels. This initiative will offer new homeowners the most reliable, affordable and sustainable energy infrastructure available in Bermuda.”Michael Daniel, senior vice president of engineering at the Ascendant Group, said Grand Atlantic residents would also see savings in their electricity bills. He said: “This will be Bermuda’s first large-scale environmentally-friendly project. It’s a model for further development on the island”Government remains committed to its mandate of providing “adequate and affordable housing for Bermudians.”The Grand Atlantic housing comes after 96 families moved into the Loughlands development in Paget and 30 families moved to Harbour View in Southside, St. David’s. The Rent Geared to Income development at Perimeter Lane, Pembroke, has also given 38 families the opportunity to rent Bermuda Housing Corporation properties while paying only 25 percent of their household for income.Mr Roban added: “The Bermuda Housing Corporation is continuing to address the needs of the community by engaging in partnerships with other Government agencies such as the Cross Ministry Intervention Team (CMIT) to assist “at risk” families; the Corrections Department in establishing a half way house for released inmates; and the Child and Family Services Department and Court Services to ensure that all Bermudians have safe and adequate dwellings to call home.”