My first connection with the La Hoya Bay project served to establish Frank Khoie as a both a gentleman and a Samaritan. I place the latter mantle on his shoulders on the basis that as the Chairman and CEO of a company about to launch a project, of which the first phase alone represents an investment of a cool US$180 million, then I would presume that he had more pressing affairs of state. However, he saw fit to personally rescue this particular hack from deepest darkest Al Quoz; where I lay marooned in a black four wheel drive, possessed of an air conditioning unit that was no more, during the last week of July with the Mercury teetering in the region of 50 degrees Celsius. The last sentence I fear is of Dickensian proportions but it says it all.

Well having finally dispelled the mirage, my arrival at the oasis of Khoie Properties office came none too soon. Sixteen glasses of water later, which may smack of a fisherman’s tall story on the dimensions of his catch but is nevertheless true, I was in a suitably hydrated condition to be educated. Noting that my temporarily glazed look had dissipated, Frank commenced to unravel the intricacies of a magnificent project. One has to say that even from an aerial perspective Marjan Island is both beautiful and shapely and La Hoya attracts a perfect ten for positioning.

La Hoya Bay Residence is the first phase of the La Hoya Bay development. Phase one embraces 725 freehold studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments. Floor areas are between 538 and 2,120 square feet and prices range from AED412,000 to AED1,620,000. Not a valuation of intergalactic proportions. La Hoya Bay Residence has already been ‘flagged out’ on the Marjan Island and the ceremonial ground breaking is expected next month with completion of phase one scheduled for December 2007.

Unlike a number of projects that shall remain nameless, extraordinary emphasis has been placed on the planning process, no doubt on the basis that if one is investing in this league there is no latitude for erroneous judgement. The master planning of the Marjan Island alone stretched over a period of 18 months, but as Frank rightly says “I could not dance if there was no stage”.

The optic nerves are glazing over again, but in the manner of a stranded rabbit hypnotised by the glare of the head lamps, for Frank has by now irrevocably warmed to his theme.

“When I first visited Marjan Island on Ras Al Khaimah’s beautiful white beaches for the first time I could not help but see the potential of developing a world class luxury residence. Just like Monaco, Cannes and other beautiful resorts and residences around the world, we are creating more than a development – we are creating a lifestyle and standard of living that combines natural beauty, a premier location, and the highest level of sophistication and only 45 minutes from Dubai.” Indeed he also casually drops into the conversation that a couple of existing residents of the Principality of Monaco, which happens to be the second-smallest independent state in world, is there a moral here? – have decided to relocate to his Ras Al Khaimah hideaway.

Neither the leading man’s fervor nor his pace of delivery diminishes, “Marjan Island is indeed a magnificent feat of engineering envisioned by the RAK Investment Authority under the patronage of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah. Only 45 minutes from Dubai International Airport and 15 minutes from RAK International Airport, La Hoya Bay Residence is the perfect location for either a permanent home, a weekend get away or a wise investment.”

We swing enthusiastically back to La Hoya Bay Residential amenities and by this time I am jumping up and down with the same level of intensity as our illustrious Chairman and CEO.

Exercise, yes I undoubtedly need some. Five star health club and spa, on site tennis club, access to Al Hamra Village Golf Course, jogging paths, 4 outdoor temperature controlled swimming pools and children pools plus private beaches and other recreational zones.
Alas I am now out of breath and Frank is barely breaking sweat! Dining; ah yes much more my cup of tea. Water front restaurants and coffee shops – Tick Sedentary pursuits, I’m all for those in my weekend escape from the frenzy of the Sheikh Zayed Road. 24/7 concierge to attend to all your wishes, intelligent home automations + SATCOM TV, professional house keeping service, high speed lifts, On-site supermarket & shopping arcade, VIP taxi service, covered parking at the ground level and valet parking. Sounds a suitably indolent lifestyle to me.

Health and safety, well they were never high on my list as a student, but the years have rolled on. There is an on-site medical clinic and multiple security systems; I feel better already.

Yes and appealing to my greener side an energy efficiency building system.

Well I suppose that a chap has to pay for all this indulgence at some point in time? There is a 75 per cent financing package available through major banks that will provide flexible payments terms and last but not least in order to pay the major banks within these flexible payment terms- there we have it, an ATM machine – for your flexible friend. Brilliant.

The story so far is intriguing if not a little romantic and I intend to chart the evolution of La Hoya Bay as the milestones unfold, however I feel an overdose of midnight oil trickling into my reporter’s schedule. Why do I think that? I leave you with my last message from Chairman Khoie. “Dear Andy, Thanks for everything....we are overwhelmed with work and loaded with much the same on your side.”

It is now 4.18 - a.m. that is. The defence rests, I bid you goodnight.

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