Celtic Realty, founded by Monaghan real estate businessman Kevin Macklin, is bringing to the Irish market "The Residences at Atlantis", Paradise Island, Bahamas. Construction has commenced on this 22-storey oceanfront condominium-hotel and this new development will be an integral part of this renowned and immensely popular resort's Phase III programme. The development company behind the project is Turnberry Ltd and the estimated completion date is Christmas 2007.

The Residences at Atlantis, Paradise Island will boast 495 junior, one and two-bedroom suites incorporating superior craftsmanship with rich detailed appointments, numerous conveniences and the amazing experience that's catapulted Atlantis to the pinnacle of luxury resort destinations in North America. 

Prices commence at $700,000 for junior suites and rise to $900,000. For a one-bedroom suite prices commence at $1.1m to over $1.8m, prices for a two bedroom suite, which is a combination of a junior and one bedroom suite are available upon request. The Residences at Atlantis, Paradise Island will combine exclusive living with legendary service and unforgettable experiences.

The 22-storey tower will include a private owner's lounge and fully staffed lobby, swimming pool, restaurant and 24-hour security and valet parking. Buyers will have access to the resort's existing entertainment centre which features the Caribbean's largest and most exciting casino, plenty of duty-free designer shops, the Mandara spa, fitness and sports centre and full-service marina. The project boasts of a shopping area with world-renowned names such as Gucci, Cartier, Versace and Bulgari to name but a few. There are 35 various ethnic restaurants such as Nobu, Mesa Grill by Bobby Flay, Sea Fire Steakhouse and Carmines.

The size of the resort is over 190 acres and the centre piece of the resort is a  34-acre waterscape offering the largest marine habitat in the world. There are 50,000 live sea animals in design featured lagoons and displays including "The Dig", a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis. Guests will have an opportunity to swim with dolphins and other sea life. The dolphin enclosure is over 11acres and has 6million gallons of saltwater pumped into it daily to house its 18 dolphins and is supervised by a team of 90 marine science professionals.

The resort also offers eleven swimming zones with eleven million gallons of fresh and saltwater swimming pools, amazing water slides hidden in life-sized Mayan ruins, as well as other gentler water rides, cascading waterfalls and a seemingly endless stretch of beach that has been called the most beautiful in the world. The project boasts of movie theatres, comedy club, and conference facilities that can accommodate over 4,000 people and two championship golf courses designed by senior tour player Tom Weiskopf.

Commenting on this development, Kevin Macklin said  "One of the more compelling reasons for the Irish investor to consider this property is the tax concessions being offered by the developer on the purchase. The usual land purchase in the Bahamas requires the payment of a 10% transfer tax upon purchase that is usually shared 50/50 with the seller and the buyer, however the developer of this project has agreed to incur the entire 10% tax so that the Irish buyer is not required to share in this expense at all."

Plans for Atlantis Phase III also include a new 500-room luxury all-suite hotel situated adjacent to The Residences; a significant expansion to Atlantis' water-themed attractions, a doubling in size of the resort's Mandara spa, and the recently opened Marina Village, which can moor yachts up to 220ft.

This $200 million development project is a partnership between Kerzner International Limited and Turnberry Associates, one of the premier real estate development and property management companies in the United States today. Other Turnberry residential developments include Porto Vita and Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura, Florida and the Fountainbleu Hotel, Miami Beach.  The company is currently creating condominium and condominium-hotel projects in Las Vegas, South Florida, Washington D.C.,Houston and San Francisco.

The launch of this prestigious development coincides with the release of the new James Bond film, returning the character to his roots with the first serious adaptation of Ian Fleming's first novel, Casino Royale. Parts of the movie are shot on location at Atlantis, Paradise Island.

Celtic Realty in association with Liberty Asset Management and Richard Godsil, Property Consultants of Macroom, Main Street, Cork will be hosting a series of investment seminars in Dublin and Cork.

Please contact Liberty Asset Management, 54 Northumberland Road, Dublin for all sales enquiries on 01 636 2700 or Richard Godsil, Property Consultants of Macroom, Main Street, Cork for all sales enquiries for the Southern region on 026 41166.