Sunset view from Ocho Cascadas

 

This is the view of the Sunset from Villa 3 at Ocho Cascadas in Puerto Vallarta.

We have returned from our trip to Puerto Vallarta to see the newly remodeled, enhanced Ocho Cascadas.   It is simply one of the most awe inspiring projects that you could ever imagine.  Seriously.

Mark Giddings and the Giddings family have almost completed this spectacular project,  the enhancement of one of the best known architectural accomplishments in Mexico.   It is a magical property and setting, and the trip to Puerto Vallarta reminded us  of Old Mexico.   Ocho Cascadas is located in the Zona Romantica, really the original Puerto Vallarta.

The photos below show details of the finishes, the landscaping, the new pools, and Jacuzzi.   The bedrooms have all been air conditioned, the new elevator has been added for easy access to each Villa.

We have also included photos of the Art Walk, the Malecon, and some of the local restaurants and sites that you will enjoy when you visit.

This is the view from Villa 8

Mark Giddings at explaining details of Villa 3

David and Mark at Ocho Cascadas

 

The view from Villa 8 looking down towards the completed unit, which is Villa 3, shows the concept of Cascading pools.  Every one of the Villas has a private pool.

Master Bedroom of Villa 3

Jacuzzi in Villa 3 at Sunset.

Villa 3 Detail, Pool and Landscaping

 

The bedrooms have all been air conditioned, enclosed in Glass.  The Landscaping is Native to the Jungles of Vallarta.  The Jacuzzi hosts a breathtaking view.

Gallery above Oscars Restaurant

Malecon in Puerto Vallarta.

One of the many Art Galleries on the Malecon.

 

The Malecon is the center for activity and packed with great restaurants, Art Galleries, coffee shops, and great beaches, and families enjoying the amenities.

View from Villa 9 at the New Ocho Cascadas.

We have designed an exceptionally unique and easy program to help you experience this resort.  We only have nine units at this project, and we are closed for maintenance for the month of September.

This means that there will only be about 300 members in the whole Club.  Some people will buy two consecutive, others will go twice a year, we are encouraging people to buy early and take advantage of the best pricing and availability.

Those who choose to get involved before the opening in November will be eligible for the ‘pre construction’ discounting.  For example:  Villa 9 in High Season is priced at $40,805.00.   With the discount package, you would only pay $28,674.00 including closing. This gives you the week you want, the price you want, and the unit you want.  It’s gets better.

This is called the “inspection” trip.   We realize that many people have not been the area in some time, so we are offering the following special.    If you decide to do an inspection trip, you would select the Villa and week, lock in the price, and give us a $2,500.00 down payment, and book your trip to stay at the resort.  You sign all of the contracts for the purchase.   You also sign a ‘subject to inspection’ addendum which stipulates that if you do not like the project, or the area, for any reason, the we will refund you $1,000.00 from the $2,500.00 deposit.

We have sold 52 of these intervals at that time, so there are only 250 or so remaining.   The question is if we believe that there are 300 individuals who have already visited Club Cascadas de Baja, who would want to own an interval at Ocho Cascadas.   I think that there are.   Please contact me at your earliest convenience and I can send you the pricing for each unit, and the inventory Grid.

Best regards,   Rory

rory@cascadaslegacy.com   Toll Free number 800 846 5571

 

Left to Right, Mark Giddings, Patricia Giddings, David Giddings.

Club Cascadas de Baja in Cabo San Lucas Mexico, one of the most prestegious and well known resorts in Mexico, continues to upgrade and maintain the property each year.

Pictured left to right, Mark, Patricia and David Giddings are on site to over-see the maintenance for weeks 37 and 38.   One of the big jobs that is being done this year is to upgrade the pool deck at the Tortuga pool at the front of the resort and add new Terra Cotta tile and enlarge the patio area.

With this new pool area we will have additional space for more tables on the deck area, more lounge chairs around the pool deck and easier traffic flow for all of the members.

New Tortuga Pool Deck Construction

This is a huge task as you can imagine!   There are forty workers on this one area.  All of the original concrete had to be removed.   Then a new sub base had to be added,  new drainage and electric conduit was installed and the whole area had to be leveled and compacted.

The photo to the right shows the area that has been prepared for concrete with a plastic sealer and the rebar mesh in place ready for the new concrete sub base, then the tile will be added.

New pool lounge chairs and cushions will finish off this project.  It will be a great addition for all of the members and offer more space for lounging, soaking up the  sun and having a Margarita or two at the swim up bar!

All the Palms trees are cleaned and trimmed.

We have over 150 palm trees at Club Cascadas de Baja, most of them very mature palms.   Many of you have seen the gardening staff at the Club working on these over the years.   While we have the chance during the maintenance weeks, we brought in a lift that makes it much easier than climbing up and down that ladder!

During this two week period, all of the mature palms will be trimmed and cut back, debarked and harvested.   Many new plants will be added to enhance the Tortuga pool area and the general grounds.   In addition we have added the following.

• New doors and windows in many of the two bedroom units.
• New and extended Palapa over the restaurant area.  New BBQ Grill.
• New Air conditioning units in several of the units.  These new models are much more energy efficient, and much quieter as well.
• New Bedroom in the Magdalena units on the ground floor.
• Painting of all the Villas, Chairs and Tables, hand railings.
• New cushion covers for all of the units that have built-in couches.
• Alibaster bowls and rich dark brown tile in many of the bathrooms.
• Granite counter tops in the Las Palmas Villas.

Granite Counter tops in the Las Palmas Villas

Alibaster bowls and Rich brown tile in bathrooms.

The photo on the left shows the changes to that we have added to the  bathrooms of the Estrella units.  The rich dark brown tile and the sunken Onyx bowl is the style that will be introduced throughout the resort, it is a rich finish that will endure for many years.   This finish will be a consistent standard feature as we continue to renovate and improve each Villa.

The photo on the far right shows the new Counter top island feature that is introduced to the Las Palmas Villas.  This “Island” in the kitchen will provide lots of space for food preparation, and this Granite finish will be used in all of the kitchen counters and in the bathrooms of the Las Palmas Villas.   The new bathrooms and kitchen finishes give a really fresh updated feel to these Villas.   These unit are becoming more popular each year because of the elevator access, and the privacy that they offer.  New Air conditioners will also be added.

It is amazing just how much work is done in the limited period of time, two weeks, 100 construction workers, 20 painters, countless helpers, and the Giddings family on site working side by side with local artisans to compete the detials that make Club Cascadas the best resort in Mexico.    We are excited to return to work!   One more week and we are back for our new season with many new and exciting things to show you during your vacation this year.   Many of you will be bringing guests this year, please have them drop by the sales office for a special gift, and we have a referral gift for you as well!   Remember, Legacy pricing and fresh pricing on some of the larger Villas will be going up in October!    We only have a few weeks left in the new inventory in Casa Giddings, and we are now accepting trades on the remaining inventory.

Please contact any of us in the sale department with any questions you may have.   Here is the link to the Sales Staff.

David Giddings on site during Maintenance this year.

Club Cascadas de Baja in Cabo San Lucas is the only resort in the area, that actually closes down for two weeks every year for scheduled maintenance.

Weeks 37 and 38, in September, the entire resort looks like an ant hill with literally hundreds of workers engaged in all manner of improvements for the property.

Led by Mrs. Giddings who is on site for the two week period along with Mark Giddings and David Giddings, the Giddings family is here  for 14 days to ensure that the upgrades and additions go smoothly.

The Maintenance for the year is a very well thought out scenario, that begins for the next year, the day we open in week 39.   Daniel Holzkan our resort Manager, Trading Places, your Management company and the Giddings family plan during the whole year for that two week period of time that we are closed for Maintenance.

Pictured right is David Giddings helping out the landscaping team, we replaced and added several palms.

Perla 14 and 15 get a new roof!

This is an example of the extent of the work that is done every year.   The roofs of Perla 14 and Perla 15 were completely replaced, as well as the addition of a new full sized bed in the ground floor “studio” section of these Perla units.

Not an easy task, putting a roof on a Villa.  Each roof takes almost two weeks to install.   The crews that does this work are specialized artisans, in a craft that is handed down through multiple generations of family.  These artisans are called “Palaperos”

We added new bathrooms to the middle floor of Perla’s 2, 3 and 4.   A huge feature for the present owners and the Legacy owners.   Perla 14, 15, and 9 are scheduled to have the new bathrooms added next  year.

In addition we refinished Margarita 12, with new doors and windows, and a new Jacuzzi, finished in Pebble Tech, which has a 100 year guarantee.   These new changes on the units will ensure the

Palapa and Palm Tree

Club remains in pristine condition with no need for major Capital expenditures when the Club is turned over to the Members.

The new materials being used in the Villas are remarkable.  Durable and earthy.   Mark Giddings and the Giddings family have done a wonderful job of upgrading the resort, without compromising the original architectural integrity of  Mr. Giddings dream.

As we go into high season, we look forward to seeing everyone this year, until week 37 comes around next year.   We are sure you will notice the improvements to the property and the commitment of the developer.

The Sales Program is doing very well.  Remember Legacy pricing will go up in October, so if you have not yet considered the Legacy, now is a good time.   Also the weeks in Casa Giddings are selling well, we still have good inventory available in both the six bedroom Casa del Rey and the Villa Sol.

We have some great new incentives for the upcoming season!   Please contact your sales agent at the link below.  We will help you plan your vacation needs long into the future.

Contact your agent  Watch for a surprise package in the Mail!

We have updates weekly on line, sign up.    “Like” us on Facebook 

Photo of Club Cascadas de Baja taken from the water. 1986

Club Cascadas de Baja in 1986, taken from a fishing boat departing from shore.

We have used this photo before in our articles.  The most amazing part of the photos is the lack of any other development to the left or right of  the Club.

Many of the members remember those days when the resort was being finished and Cabo was no more than a fishing village.  We had one stop light, which was never turned on, most of the roads were not paved which did not really matter because there were not many cars!

At that time, most of the building materials that were used were coming from the mainland.  Mrs. Giddings and her gardener used to travel through the streets of Cabo San Lucas looking for Palm trees for the property.

In 2002, the Giddings family designed the Legacy program.   This was a very unique ownership package where the Club was actually sold to the membership from 2017 to in perpetuity.    With this new program in place the members were able to design vacation packages which would meet their  future vacation needs.

As families grew so did their needs and the second generation of owners started accumulating inventories that met the needs of their expanding families.

Casa Del Rey, second floor pool.

Now 25 years later we have multiple generations of families purchasing additional inventory to accommodate the needs of family and friends.

We see members are committed, more than ever, to the concept of a family vacation.   At least one week a year, for multiple family members.  This was never more evident than in week 27 of this year.  Normally a very busy time for the Club because school is out and the whole family is vacationing.  In week 27, we had 225 people on the property.

The people that were here during that week included:

11 families

Staying in a total of 32 Villas

Totaling 138 individuals.     That is a Legacy!!

www.facebook.com/ClubCascadas

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur a city with many stories.

The famous ‘Vaquero Hat’ that the Giddings found on Medano Beach.

Architect Edward Paul Giddings and wife Patricia Giddings first visited Cabo San Lucas in the early 70’s.

During an evening walk along Medano Beach as they enjoyed the sunset, they came upon a beachcombers find; and old leather hat had washed onto shore, a Vaquero’s hat.

A Vaquero is a Mexican Cowboy, working the horse and cattle ranches that are common in the area and through out Mexico, this hat probably washed ashore from the mainland.  They took that the hat home as a memory of there trip.

For many years, it sat on one shelf or another in their home in Newport Beach California

Some years later, Pat and Ed Giddings were approached by someone who owned land in Cabo San Lucas, the person had heard that Ed and Pat loved the Baja, and wanted to know if they were interested in purchasing some beach front property.

At their Newport Office, the owner of the property unfurled the plans for the plot of land where they had actually found the old Vaquero’s hat, and that land is where Club Cascadas de Baja sits today.   Pat Giddings told us that Ed took one look at the property, and said….”Yes…we’ll take it”.

Maybe somethings do happen for a reason.

This hat now rests at Club Cascadas de Baja, in Cabo Sal Lucas as a reminder of how it all began and how a it evolved to be the Club that it is today.

The first resort that Ed Giddings built was Ocho Cascadas in Puerta Vallarta.   This iconic piece of architecture was featured on the cover of Architectural Digest in 1980.

Ed Giddings was very fond of the following quote, by D.H. Lawrence.

“When the dust of Mexico falls upon your heart, you shall always return.

Pat Giddings announcing the Silver Jubilee celebration.

Photo of Club Cascadas de Baja taken from the water. 1986

Club Cascadas de Baja.   Cabo San Lucas.  This photo, taken in 1986 from a fishing boat.

No other resorts in site, no Villa del Palmar, no Pueblo Bonito Rose, no Pueblo Bonito Blanco…Nada.

Ed and Pat Giddings envisioned Club Cascadas de Baja as a village.   A place to rejuvenate, relax, be with family, friends.  A village where you were known.  A place familiar.

I doubt that Ed and Pat could have imagined what they were actually creating, and how much this resort would  change peoples lives.

Twenty five years later, the Legacy that is Club Cascadas de Baja continues with the addition of two magnificent suites that were built within the Gididngs Family residence.   The remodeled six bedroom home, 13,500 square feet, and the newly built Villa Del Sol, three bedroom, 6,300 square foot masterpiece.

Pat and Mark Giddings by the newly completed pool at Villa Del Sol.

Pat Giddings and the Giddings Family, annexed their private residence into the Club Cascadas de Baja last year.   This private home then became available for the owners to purchase by the week as they would any inventory at the Club.

Mark Giddings was instrumental in executing the remodel of the six bedroom home and the visionary application of the Architectural integrity of father Edward Paul  Giddings, in the creation of Villa del Sol, the new three bedroom Penthouse unit on the third and fourth floor of Casa Giddings.

This 6300 square foot masterpiece offers 180 degree views of Medano Beach from both the living room / dining room, and the Master bedroom.

Twenty five years ago, the first owner was welcomed to the Club, many of these original owners are still vacationing every year.   As we near October, and the end of the Silver Jubilee, we are now welcoming the grand children of the original owners as new owners at Club Cascadas de Baja.   Three generations of the same family now gather for extended family vacations.

As a fitting totem to the great Architect Ed Giddings, the Giddings family offers their private residence to members of the Club.   A refurbished six bedroom suite fitting called Casa del Rey, and the new 3 bedroom Villa del Sol.

We end this first post with links to three videos.  Hope you enjoy them.   Interview with Pat and Mark Giddings   Casa Del Rey   Villa Sol