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Former Sonesta site up for sale

Ocean-front site: The 32-acre site of the former Sonesta Hotel is up for sale

The ocean-front site of the former Sonesta Hotel in Southampton is up for sale.Jones Lang LaSalle, along with Rego Sotheby’s International Realty, announced they have been selected as exclusive agents to market the development site.The spectacular 32-acre site, which includes three South Shore beaches, is zoned for mixed tourism and residential use.Current entitlements allow for the construction of a hotel plus 88 residential units of which 47 could be sold to non-Bermudians.No asking price has been attached to the site.Rego Sotheby’s senior vice-president Penny MacIntyre said a range of offers was expected, driven by the structure of the various proposed deals and the plans for the site.“I think it’s a very compelling site, because it has wonderful topography, and beautiful water views from all levels, overlooking the three beaches,” Ms McIntyre said.The site was also exceptional, in that it comes freehold and without a requirement for a buyer to take on a long-term lease with the Government.The site will be marketed under the name of ‘South Beaches’.Already, before the site has been advertised, some people have expressed an interest in passing, after having seen surveying work going on at the site, Ms MacIntyre said. These were parties from the Island, as well as overseas, she added.Scout Real Estate, the US developer which bought the 32-acre spread in 2007 had planned to build a five-star resort there. But after demolishing the former hotel which was known as the Sonesta and later the Wyndham, plans were scuppered.Lehman Brothers, the US investment bank which filed for bankruptcy protection during the financial crisis of 2008, had been the main financier of the approximately $200 million project.Leading the Jones Lang LaSalle team on this transaction is senior vice-president Joshua Gleiber and vice-president Edward Lewis. The Rego Sotheby’s International Realty team will be led by president Buddy Rego and Ms MacIntyre.The agents said in a joint statement that they “are confident that this premier resort and tourist site will attract buyers from Bermuda, as well as internationally”.Jones Lang LaSalle is a financial and professional services firm specialising in real estate. It serves clients in 60 countries from more than 1,000 locations worldwide.For more information, go to the dedicated marketing website for the property at http://www.southbeachesdevelopment.com