Sandy Lane still first with the rich

AS THE YEAR comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the high and not so high points for some companies, agencies, products and services.
Swanky?Sandy?Lane, St James, appears to have been the most favoured high-end private property on the island in 2010.
Realtors Limited owner Nick Parravicino said the entire West Coast continued to be the first choice among the well-to-do, both locals and foreigners, looking to buy second homes in Barbados.
“Sandy Lane still has an outstanding name with outstanding people. I mean, you have Royal Westmoreland, Sugar Hill and Apes Hill, but Sandy Lane still flies the flag in my opinion,” he told BARBADOS BUSINESS AUTHORITY.
“The Crane in St Philip has done a marvellous job and Four Seasons – when that gets settled – will too. But Sandy Lane, Coral Reef Club are all big flagships,” Parravicino noted.
The experienced realtor also believed there will be no shift anytime soon. Offering his rationale for the West Coast’s continued appeal for high-end property seekers, Parravicino said: “The others will come along. Rich people like to live where rich people are. The West Coast of the island is protected and rich women don’t like their hair blown about and that kind of thing. And they like to dress up at night and the West Coast is conducive to that,” the realtor said.
He said the most sought-after commercial properties, on the other hand, had not been restricted to one area.
“Commercial properties have moved a lot over the years. It used to be in Bridgetown but now it is out of town. Take that Limegroove, St James property, for example. It might not come in the first this year but in a year or two it certainly will be a force to reckon with,” he said.