Tiger Tales

Richard Pope, Phuket property developer

Profile

With a background encompassing an engineering degree and 23 years as a developer in West London’s fashionable Notting Hill, Richard Pope never suspected that when he came to Phuket to sail in the King’s Cup Regatta he would end up not only becoming a developer on the island, but also making it his home. Like many visitors, he was beguiled by Phuket’s charms and realised the advantages of its geographic location close to some of the world’s fastest growing economic powerhouses. But it was finding the most amazing piece of seafront property that convinced him that he had stumbled upon an opportunity too good to miss.

Q: WHY CHOOSE PHUKET AT THIS TIME TO DEVELOP KATA ROCKS?

A very important part of the decision was being able to purchase the most incredible piece of property on the headland between two of Phuket most beautiful beaches: namely Kata and Kata Noi. There’s virtually no pristine west-facing land left in Phuket and to be in the right place at the right time when this last fabulous piece of property became available was too good an opportunity to miss.

Clearly the Asian “Tiger” economies are powering their way out of the global slowdown and Phuket is a tropical island right in the heart of this. It offers great infrastructure and connections plus a fabulous lifestyle, but at much lower costs than comparable locations. All the portents suggested that developing top end luxury residences on Phuket was a great opportunity, and so I seized it.

Q: HOW ARE SALES GOING AND WHO ARE YOUR TARGET CUSTOMERS?

The development comprises 34 ocean-fronted sky villas and apartments from one- to four-bedrooms, each with their own infinity pool and use of spa, gymnasium and restaurant. We’ve already won many awards including the coveted “Best Apartment in Asia Pacific”, and so it’s perhaps unsurprising that we are already 60 per cent sold, although we target first completions by end 2011.

Our buyers are mainly Westerners who are young, entrepreneurial and often successful business people in their 40s and 50s. Of course 36-year-old adventurer, author and TV-personality Bear Grylls is also one of our buyers, although he’s a one-off for sure!

Q: WHAT SHOULD POTENTIAL OWNERS KNOW BEFORE BUYING INTO THE THAILAND PROPERTY MARKET?

It’s important to find a developer who is properly funded to carry through to completion the development you are getting into and to the agreed standards you have been sold. We guarantee absolute quality in every aspect of the development, and of course the location could not be bettered.

Ownership structure is another area of potential distress and many developers in Thailand have sold residences which sit on land with disputed tiles. The structure of Kata Rocks is a renewable leasehold arrangement where the owners control the voting rights to ensure that their lease agreements will be renewed in perpetuity.

Q: WHAT ARE THE KEY THINGS YOU'VE LEARNED IN YOUR YEARS AS A DEVELOPER? IS 'LOCATION LOCATION, LOCATION' STILL KEY?

Obviously finding a great location is very important, but I've learnt that actual best practice for development is very much the same wherever you are in the world. You have to put together the best team to make your vision happen and then oversee every step of the way with great diligence.

Our architect is Adrian McCarroll of Original Vision who won the Best Architect in Thailand award amongst others. The interiors are by the celebrity interior designer Kelly Hoppen who has designed the homes of the rich and famous and the construction is by DCM Solutions lead by Julian Olds – it's a construction company second to none. By learning on the job, I am now able to do pretty much everything that goes into a development from laying foundations, to plastering walls; from marketing and sales to accounts and legalities; from interior design and furnishings to electrical wiring. And so I am able to be totally "hands on" in making sure that the teams I work with are executing all their assignments to the very high standards we have set.

Q: SO WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU?

I've been so impressed with the experience of developing Kata Rocks that I am making Phuket my home and so I am on the lookout for site of similar quality to develop further high-end residential resorts. Several of our buyers have expressed interest in being a part of such an exciting venture, and so the future looks very promising.

INSIDER PHUKET

Since making his home on the Thai island, Richard Pope has plenty of tips to share with travellers

Best place to celebrate a deal
Right on Kata Beach itself is one of the island’s most sensational and iconic restaurants – Mom Tri’s Boathouse owned by Thailand’s famed architect and designer Mom Tri Devakul. There can be no finer spot than their beachside terrace to enjoy a celebration.

Best way to spend an afternoon in Phuket
When I do manage to take some time off I love to relax on the sands of Kata or Kata Noi Beaches followed by a massage in one of the many local spas. The ladies are all well trained and friendly and it’s very inexpensive.

Phuket’s best spot to watch the sunset
Anywhere along Kata Beach is fabulous as you have two lovely headlands and the dreamy silhouette of Pu Island on the horizon to offset the sun as it sizzles into the Andaman Sea.

Favourite place to relax in Phuket
I always feel relaxed when I am out on a boat sailing anywhere around the huge number of islands, bays and coves of the Andaman Sea and Phang Nga Bay.

The best meeting place for lunch
Phuket is blessed with a huge number of charming but inexpensive eateries serving great food. A favourite for lunch is the Red Chair in the hinterland of Kata Beach – it’s a happy buzzing space and serves a great lunch.