In Bali, even the Best laid plans are apt to take their own course In a way that’s quite distinct from other places. Perhaps we should blame it (or give thanks, depending on your experience) on the ley lines. So a man who has maintained a 30 year, often long-distance love affair with the island, on occasions dabbling in a little business, decides to fulfill his humble dream of a place in paradise by building two villas and keeping one for himself – a proven tactic for many developers here in Bali.
Two years on and Alan is a few months away from opening no less than five luxury homes in one of the island’s most desirable areas. They’re large at that, occupying between 700 and 940 m2 of space made all the more desirable by being a mere frisbee toss from the beach.
Batu Belig Residences are situated on the tranquil northern side of Seminyak, in an area that looks set to head high end over the coming few years. That’s not just idle conjecture either – W Hotels just happen to be building a resort comprising guest rooms and villas just a few hundred meters south of Batu Belig Residences 45 are (4,500 m2) plot making it, in Alan’s words, “the hottest piece of land in the area.” To Alan’s mind, hak milik or freehold real estate of this calibre warranted an impressive development to do it justice – his vision was not a cookie cutter jumble of closely packed units, but expansive designer residences built using premium materials and first class amenities. For this, he’d need a good architect.
“I was introduced to Fredo Taffin, a Balinese based Frenchman, by a mutual friend who had worked with him before and we got on immediately,” says Alan. “I liked his design flair and he’s very easy to work with.” That design flair is eminently on show here in Bali – it was Taffin who built the original Kudeta, as well as presiding over its recent overhaul, in the process pioneering a contemporary style that has been much copied since. According to Alan, the brief was a straightforward one. “I wanted something that I would enjoy living in myself – a tropical garden getaway with buildings of traditional design concepts but with a modern touch.”
A quick scan of the architect renderings quickly demonstrates how Taffin and his team have incorporated both tradition and modernity. The plan of each villa conforms to the Balinese garden compound arrangement, with two main living pavilions and another bale pavilion (fit for lounging, massages, picnics and BBQ’s) built in an L formation facing a generous 15-meter lap pool and large Jacuzzi. Living spaces are connected by covered colonnades in creamy non-slip, acid wash marble, with cascades of hanging plants from the overhead walkway gardens and paved walkways across reflecting ponds.
The pavilions are constructed from high quality, white Palimanan stone and roofing in sirap or ironwood as it is known. The four bedrooms are located in their own discrete pavilion; all featuring prodigious en suite bathrooms with stand-alone tubs carved from single massive chunks of marble and separate glass shower booths, set in verdant walled gardens. The second floor rooms boast spacious private balconies affording mountain views to the north and sunsets to the west. Clearly indulgence is a priority here, for each house has its own Jacuzzi and an alfresco pavilion area in the garden complete with built-in barbecue and oversized day bed. Other key amenities include a multi purpose room with its own en suite bathroom, allowing this large room to be used as a rumpus room or fifth bedroom. Additionally there’s an office, guest toilet/powder room, main kitchen, staff kitchen with pantry, laundry and drying area, staff accommodation, garden storage, personal storage and a secure double car park area with private access.
The emphasis throughout is on quality and exacting attention to detail – and not only on the elements that are visible. Each residence is built on cyclone and earth tremor proof footings, sunk to a depth of over 2 meters and braced with tie beams and walls of steel and concrete. “The best materials built to the best standard,” says Richie, the on site project manager, “we even went to tender with five different contractors – the choice of Bali based contractors, CV Adi Yasa, was based on their track record, not the price they were asking.”
Even the dimmer switches have an impressively expensive feel, fashioned as they are from brushed aluminium. Bearing in mind Batu Belig Residences’ location, design acumen, build quality and outstanding facilities, it’s hardly surprising to learn that the first two villas were sold within six days of the development going to market. Backed up by Bali Villa Properties (BVP), a fully integrated management company run by professionals with many years of hospitality experience, owners can relax in the knowledge that all issues pertaining to their villa – from maintenance to marketing – are being taken care of. Alan opted for BVP after a series of meetings sold him “on the professionalism, attention to detail and training of the staff.” The the five residences well on the way to completion.
With its prestigious neighbour and proximity to some of the finest establishments in Bali – from the gourmet restaurants and boutique shopping of Seminyak to a multi-purpose member’s facility at the Canggu Club (complete with sports facilities, restaurant, bar and adjacent school) – Batu Belig Residences is one of the most exciting and exclusive investment opportunities to have arisen in the Seminyak area in recent times. It’s a privileged lifestyle choice too, offering a select clientele the ultimate in laid back tropical grandeur just a lazy 150 meter stroll from the beach. So much for Alan’s “build two, live in one” plans.
By J. Lagenheim
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