Aire Verde: discover the estate that will transform into a "resort" in the mountains of Aibonito
The project aims to bring the exclusivity of coastal residential complexes to the mountains, but with a sustainable experience
The experience of vacationing or living in a luxurious resort in Puerto Rico will no longer be exclusive to the coastal areas of the island, as the residential and tourist project Aire Verde, in Aibonito, will bring the sophistication of these communities to the mountains, but with a sustainable focus.
With an investment of over $3 million, the developers of Aire Verde, José Cuevas and Dennisse Betancourt, are set to create a “farm resort” on 166 cuerdas they acquired less than a year ago.
The project, which will be the first of its kind in Puerto Rico for the developers, has a master plan developed by the renowned American architectural firm Gensler.
The developers explained that the land has been divided into 20 lots for housing construction that are already for sale. The cost of the lots, which individually average four cuerda, ranges between $150,000 and over $400,000.
“All the houses will be built with integrated solar panels, rainwater will be collected, and wastewater will be recycled. We will try to impact the property as little as possible,” Cuevas stated in an interview with El Nuevo Día.
The land, which until recently was a cattle farm, will also have five units for short-term rental that already have the endorsement of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (CTPR), the developer assured.
“As part of the concept, we will make bike trails, hiking, meditation platforms, and everything the community agrees is for common use,” Cuevas described.
Currently, four of the 20 lots are reserved. Each interested party will need to make an initial deposit equivalent to 15% of the land value to secure their space, Cuevas detailed.
Aire Verde is located more than 2,000 feet above sea level and includes several lots that exceed 2,300 feet, offering 360-degree views of the central mountain range and towns in the south of the island such as Salinas, Santa Isabel, and Coamo.
What will the homes be like?
Although the lot owners can design their own homes, Aire Verde hired Puerto Rican architect Norbert Figueroa, who designed four types of contemporary properties to choose from. Their sizes range from 2,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet.
Each model, Cuevas assured, “emphasizes terraces, outdoor areas, and modern architecture.”
The residences may accommodate space for a horse stable, farming, and raising other animals, since, according to the developer, the goal of Aire Verde is “to provide the experience of having a farm without the work of having a farm, because maintaining a farm is not easy.”
As part of the project, Cuevas stated that they will reactivate the well located on the land, as well as an artificial lake that provided water for the cattle.
Regarding how much the construction cost of the homes could rise, the entrepreneur did not disclose specifics, but said the number will depend on the size of the properties. He specified that, currently, the cost per square foot in Aibonito is $160.
For Cuevas, this type of project is in demand, and evidence of this is that, without officially announcing the project, he already has several interested parties. The developers are primarily targeting health professionals working in Aibonito but who do not reside in this town.
“There are several target groups. One is the doctors and health professionals, who are many in Aibonito because of the (Mennonite) hospital, but there are also many professionals who live in Cayey, Caguas, or Los Paseos, who have to come here (to Aibonito). Others are those who want to have a country house, but in a controlled environment, with access control, cameras, etcetera,” he expressed.
Cuevas also did not rule out that Aire Verde could be an attractive project for investors coming to the island attracted by the benefits of Law 60, formerly Laws 20 and 22. Most of the beneficiaries of these tax incentives are located in municipalities such as Dorado, San Juan, and Río Grande.
Awaiting permits
Construction of Aire Verde is expected to begin in a year, once they receive the corresponding permits from the government.
So far, Cuevas assured, the project has received the endorsement of the Bureau of Telecommunications, the Electric Power Authority (AEE), the Highway and Transportation Authority (ACT), and the Aqueduct and Sewers Authority (AAA).
However, it is still waiting for the environmental recommendation, but the developer expressed confidence that they will obtain approval to carry out the project. The current classification of the land is agricultural.
“We hope not to have problems because if anyone wants to preserve the environment, it’s us,” he stated, highlighting that 90 of the 166 cuerda will remain untouched.
In Cuevas’ opinion, Aire Verde will be a low-density construction community, as only 2% of the land would be impacted by the development.
Both Cuevas and Betancourt came out of retirement to develop this project, for which they both decided to “risk” their savings.
After founding and subsequently selling the current health plan Humana, Cuevas focused on the tech development area, while Betancourt did the same in marketing and education.
Once Aire Verde becomes a reality, the couple hopes to return to retirement and enjoy the complex in their own residence, which will be the first to be built.
“For me, (Aire Verde) is going back to my roots. It is experiencing once again the enjoyment of the countryside, of free nature, the people of the area, and agriculture,” Betancourt pointed out.