Costa Rica Real Estate Project Aims to be Pura Verde in the Land of Pura Vida

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The Hacienda Matapalo Clubhouse

The development’s 125-plus acre dedicated nature preserve and 90 acre nature conservancy parcel have helped drive our efforts from the beginning to be a 'green,' low‐impact development.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) June 11, 2010

According to Wikipedia, “Pura Vida,” a phrase commonly used in Costa Rica, literally means “pure life.” But the phrase is closer to meaning “full of life,” “purified life” or “this is living!” Costa Ricans, however, use the expression to convey a philosophy of strong community, perseverance, resiliency and celebrating good fortune.

When Costa Rica’s first female president, Laura Chinchilla, took office last month, one of her first actions was to sign a decree banning open-pit gold mining. By signing the order, she sent a clear message to her fellow Costa Ricans that she was determined to sustain the Pura Vida lifestyle by upholding the country’s strong environmental and ecological commitments.

A few months earlier, Pegasus Star Limitada Chief Executive Officer David Matluck, announced the formation of Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties, pledging similar commitments to upholding the environmental standards of the country through the development of ‘green’ real estate properties. Leading the way by example is Pegasus’ primary development, Hacienda Matapalo, a gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast.

“One of the most appealing features of Hacienda Matapalo is that it is surrounded by a natural, lush rainforest,” explained Hacienda Matapalo’s Executive Vice President Brian Albury. “The development’s 125-plus acre dedicated nature preserve and 90 acre nature conservancy parcel have helped drive our efforts from the beginning to be a ‘green,’ low-impact development.”

“Once a property has been branded a Pura Verde Costa Rica property, it means that the property can be purchased with the confidence of knowing that the same due diligence that went into Hacienda Matapalo was performed by a team of experts in researching every possible element of these properties,” said Matluck. “This means that all of the legal, environmental and engineering issues pertaining to these properties are being ‘certified’ as having been thoroughly researched and determined to be in order.”

Most importantly, Pura Verde means that these properties are in complete compliance with all the environmental laws and regulations that are designed to protect the environment from any semblance of abuse.

“Our goal is to support sustainable development that guarantees that the South and Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica remain pristine and free from any man-made harm,” Matluck said. “After all, that is what draws us all to Costa Rica; the awe we experience of living in and with nature in all its splendor.”

In leading by example, Hacienda Matapalo tasked key members of its development team with the sole purpose of implementing and maintaining extensive environmental stewardship before, during and after construction.

“It is our goal to utilize the latest ‘green’ technology wherever possible without jeopardizing our commitment to deliver the highest standards to our homeowners,” Albury said. “We believe that a balance and harmony with nature and our immediate environment will make Hacienda Matapalo a truly unique place to live.”

The environmentally-conscious development will include an equestrian center, nature trails for hiking and horseback riding and recently announced it will add a 500-plus foot treetop suspension bridge to its development that will stretch across a ravine along the property’s nature preserve.

Some of Hacienda Matapalo’s ongoing efforts include:

• Minimized clearing of the present land (dense forest to remain throughout constructed areas)
• A percentage ratio of 70:30 natural land to developed land (based on a total area of 665 acres)
• For every tree that must be removed, up to three trees will be planted as replacement
• There will be an onsite nursery
• There will be an onsite wastewater treatment plant
• Landscaping will consist of native species (reducing the need for water and fertilizer)
• Subterranean power and electrical lines will be used where feasible and strict safeguards will be in place to ensure above ground lines pose no threat to wildlife
• Recycling receptacles will be in place throughout the property, including an intensive recycling program
• Energy saving air-conditioning systems will be used
• A water agreement has been put into place to supply the nearby town of Hatillo with fresh drinking water
• Onsite lakes will serve as recession ponds, natural habitats and home for many native fish
• A biologist/naturalist with extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna will be on staff
• There will be ongoing communication and involvement with the homeowners and community (i.e. community awareness and social responsibility)
• Exploratory use of cutting-edge “green” technology will constantly be considered throughout development and construction

Albury pointed out that Hacienda Matapalo will also utilize environmentally friendly goods for many of its external building materials including: use of concrete which contains post-consumer materials, siding and external finishes that contain post-consumer materials, low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC) finishes/paints/adhesives, sustainable and locally farmed woods and materials, pervious or permeable pavers/materials for walkways and parking, recycled materials for roofing and materials that drain well and do not hold moisture or heat.

In a relatively short period of time, Hacienda Matapalo has become Costa Rica's premier planned gated community thanks to both the knowledge of its executive team and due diligence as performed by its strategic legal, engineering and ecological partners. Unlike their competition, this extraordinary attention to detail has enabled the Hacienda Matapalo team to protect both its investment and investors and rewrite the standards by which successful communities in Costa Rica are planned.

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo and their Green Project, visit their Web site.

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