Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going

The mark of a truly exceptional company is one that moves forward not just in the best of times but during all times. Grupo Mariana is just that company. Irrespective of adversity or external circumstance, Grupo Mariana has forged ahead. Steadfast leadership and unwavering vision has taken the company to the next level.

The cornerstone of Grupo Mariana’s vision is investing in Nicaragua’s rich natural assets as a means to give back to the community. Grupo Mariana’s core mission is to utilize, promote, sustain and strengthen the natural environment in order to enhance the lives of the people of Nicaragua. Grupo Mariana recognizes that it is in a unique position and is using that position to give back to the country that has embraced them.

Grupo Mariana’s overriding objective is to create a sustainable model of economic and social development for the communities on Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast through reinvestment in infrastructure, support for local businesses and the creation of job opportunities.

Grupo Mariana’s business and philanthropic initiatives include the sale of real estate in order to benefit Fundación Grupo Mariana, the 5% For Futures program, the Seaside Mariana community, the Isla Mariana community, the Reserva Mariana Mountain Eco-Lodge, as well as exports of fair-trade Nicaraguan coffee, Nicaraguan Sea Salt, Casa Mariana and the partnership with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.

Grupo Mariana is stronger now than ever. Grupo Mariana’s initial developments, have drawn investors from around the world and have been designed to surpass expectation. And the best is yet to come.

Before we divulge the exciting developments that lie ahead for one of our flagship developments, Seaside Mariana, it is worth taking a look back at how it all started.

Grupo Mariana began with the most elemental thing possible, which is also one of the most rare. It began with over 923 acres of absolutely pristine Pacific Ocean Beachfront land. The land spans a full 2 kilometers of beachfront, which lies along an expanse of over 22 kilometers of uninterrupted sand. Dramatic elevations points that afford a multitude of expansive ocean views further enhance the landscape. The land is also blessed with a clear flowing river, natural forest and archeological site dating back to 1000 BC to 1500 BC.  These are some of the oldest archeological discoveries found in Nicaragua and will be set-aside in a cultural museum at Seaside Mariana.

With the sumptuous natural setting secured, Grupo Mariana brought in the best of the best to work with what nature had bestowed. Jack Nicklaus himself joined the team and helped plan the Signature Design 18-hole Championship course that will feature expansive sea views and enticing Oceanside golf holes. It is the only one of its kind in Nicaragua.

The world-class team brought together by Grupo Mariana represents the absolute best in their respective businesses. Earl Swensson & Associates, Kemper Sports Management, Land Design, Calvet & Associates, Castaneda Ingenieros Construction Management, Saxon Gilmore, Pushor Mitchell, AON Insurance, First American Title Insurance Company and Taboada & Associates are a few of the elite firms comprised of top professionals that have joined the team at Seaside Mariana.

Grupo Mariana has grown beyond its original vision as a luxury resort into a true Beachffont Community in itself. The rich and varied topography lends itself to the creation of completely unique neighborhoods within the larger community.

The blend of community amenities and specially designed areas and homes will provide a true village atmosphere at Seaside Mariana, each with its own unique personality and community spirit. Paseo Mariana will be a vibrant town center full of entertainment, restaurants, hotels and shops. Mariana del Norte will be off the beaten path and will feature beachfront condominiums that will be supported by the amenities of the Laya Boutique Hotel.

Little Granada will be a vibrant village atmosphere complete with colonial inspired casitas. El Madrono will be a village of luxury golf course villas located on the lush Jack Nicklaus Signature course. La Reserva will be a mountain eco-lodge located on the eastern edge of the community and will be a village dedicated to nature and wellness. The Plumeria spa will be a 5-Star spa and wellness center and is a focal point for the 100+-acre eco village. It will be geared toward creating an oasis for those who desire serenity and communion with nature. And finally, Club Azucar will be the site of oceanfront life at the Wyndham Mariana Resort and Ocean View Condominiums and Villas on the mountain, which is the highest point on the property and features lush rolling hills with views to the ocean.

Grupo Mariana started out with a set of attributes possessed by none other in the country and has blossomed from there. Building on the strength of its foundation, Seaside Mariana has clearly established itself as the leader in the market. The amount of activity that has taken place in the last six months alone is unsurpassed and the momentum at Grupo Mariana is steadily building.

Having accomplished more in the last half year than many have thus far, Grupo Mariana’s flagship development has become the most sough-after development in Nicaragua.

After receiving a letter of intent from Wyndham Hotels and Resorts in April of last year, an agreement was signed in June of 2010 and the first operations meeting was held in August at Wyndham Hotels and Resorts headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Representatives from Grupo Mariana were in attendance at the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Conference in Las Vegas Sept 20-23. The upcoming Wyndham Mariana Resort will feature a 5-Star 330-room resort and casino that will be game changing in the region.

The importance of this partnership cannot be overstated. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts is the world’s largest hotel company with over 7,000 hotels and 583,000 rooms. Wyndham has branded properties in 65 countries on 6 different continents. Wyndham also has the largest hotel loyalty program in the world, with over 7.5 million active members and over 2.8 million new members enrolled in 2009. A partnership with a company of the magnitude and influence of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts will not only affect the owners and investors of Seaside Mariana but will have a lasting impact on the country of Nicaragua.

The project manager responsible for the Wyndham Mariana Resort construction is Tom Acomb. Acomb is the managing principal for Acomb Ostendort & Associates. Grupo Mariana is proud to welcome Mr. Acomb to the team of top-notch experts already partnered with Seaside Mariana. Mr. Acomb and his team have participated in hundreds of project assignments with a total development value over $1 billion dollars.

The last six months also saw joint venture funding raised for the Mariana del Norte oceanfront condominiums. An escrow agreement was created that provides 100% of the construction dollars to complete the first condo in Phase 1. In the current business environment this is a feat of substantial magnitude. The Mariana del Norte Condo Condominiums architectural plans were completed and include three 4-Story, 16-Unit condo buildings. The Hotel & Spa architectural floor plan and renderings are complete for both the hotel bungalows and the beach club.

Leveraged funding from Bank Banpro will provide funding not only for all Phase 1 infrastructure but also the construction of the Wyndham Hotel and the golf course. All vertical construction will be starting in March 2012 and pre-construction has already begun with land clearing and extensive site staking of all homes in Phase 1. Civil Engineering plans are underway for communication; three phase power, potable water and roads. Trees have been cleared for the upcoming roadwork. The construction of the golf course is underway with routing, centerlines, soil tests, water tests and grading plans complete. Planning of the Wyndham Mariana Resort, which will be in the center of the project, is ahead of schedule with the land plan complete and defining the construction phasing strategy.

In addition, a second joint venture partner will be joining Grupo Mariana. The new project will be secluded and intimate, bringing an aura of serenity and tranquility to their guests. An announcement will be made in the near future.

During this same recent period, Grupo Mariana became a Signature Certified Member of Audubon International. The Audubon Signature Program was launched as a way to provide assistance for sustainable land development. There are currently 87 locations worldwide that have earned the certification of Audubon International and their sanctuaries comprise an impressive 100,000 acres of land. Through this groundbreaking program, tens of thousands of acres of habitat have been created and protected, millions of gallons of water have been conserved, and thousands of endangered species have been assisted. Grupo Mariana is proud to be a part of this worthy endeavor.

In addition to its commitment to the environment and sustainability, Grupo Mariana is firmly committed to helping the people of Nicaragua. Fundación Grupo Mariana is a non-profit organization founded by Grupo Mariana, S.A for this explicit purpose. Grupo Mariana established Fundación Grupo Mariana with the goal of supporting socially responsible programs that foster growth, self-reliance and sustainability for the people of Nicaragua. The overriding goal of the foundation is to provide support as a part of its corporate commitment to have a positive influence on the communities that surround its properties and on the population of Nicaragua as a whole.

Recently Barbara Carrera, acclaimed film and television actress, became the spokesperson for Fundación Grupo Mariana. Carrera, who was born in Nicaragua and educated overseas, returned to Nicaragua in 1997 following Hurricane Mitch. Carrera became involved in efforts to raise funds for those devastated by the natural disaster. Carrera, who believes that the future of a country depends on the success of its youth, has selected Fundación Grupo Mariana as a means to help her country. In her collaboration with Fundación Grupo Mariana, Carrera will act as Ambassador to the World for Fundación Grupo Mariana. In addition to helping with fundraising for the foundation, Carrera will provide voiceover narration in foundation videos and will participate in future Fundación Grupo Mariana events.

The 5% For Futures Program is Grupo Mariana’s commitment to support the community through each and every transaction that occurs. Grupo Mariana will donate 5% of every sale from every Grupo Mariana business to a fund governed by Fundación Grupo Mariana. The first location that will benefit from this initiative is the small village of Masachapa. Through real estate sales alone, it is estimated that 35 million dollars will be reinvested in the growth and future economic development in Masachapa. The funds are dedicated to infrastructure improvements and the creation of 1,300 new jobs within the Seaside Mariana community, as well as nearly 3,000 new jobs in the surrounding communities.

In the long term, Fundación Grupo Mariana plans to dedicate the $ 35 million dollars from the 5% For Futures fund as follows: 4 million dollars will go toward roads, 8 million dollars toward the airport, 3 million dollars will be allocated for wastewater and power improvements, 7 million dollars will be applied toward additional social housing, and 3 million will go toward hospital and school improvements.  10 million dollars will be allocated for a marina or port; Grupo Mariana is actively exploring the possibility of a primary port location for destination cruise liners at Seaside Mariana, which would generate further funds for reinvestment in Nicaragua.

In the short term, the foundation has plans in the works for the establishment and construction of social housing in Masachapa, renovation of the central park, creation of a community baseball field, and quarterly community meetings as well as the construction of new washroom facilities to be installed at the Felix Pedro Garcia school in San Rafael del Sur.

During this same crucial time period, several new projects focusing on areas such as active lifestyle developments for retirees and green initiatives have entered into the planning stages. A full 25% of the sales from these projects will be donated to Fundación Grupo Mariana.

Grupo Mariana Green is a new division of the company that was recently launched for this purpose. Grupo Mariana Green is dedicated to promoting personal, social and environmental health through Nicaragua’s natural resources.  Grupo Mariana Green’s main focus is giving back to the community as well as preserving the stunning natural assets of Nicaragua.

In August of 2010, Café Mariana was established in conjunction with a private label brand. Café Mariana was created under the Grupo Mariana Green banner in order to bring the rich bold taste of pure Nicaraguan coffee to the international community. In teaming up with Café Don Paco for sales and distribution of fine gourmet coffee, Fundación Grupo Mariana will receive a generous 25% of the proceeds. Café Mariana will feature sustainably grown fair trade coffee products that will raise revenue as well awareness worldwide of the fine quality culinary and beverage products Nicaragua has to offer.

Café Mariana will make Nicaraguan coffee available to the world through product exports as well as creating a true Nicaraguan coffee experience within the country. A Taste of Nicaragua will feature fine Mariana brand coffee in chic cafes throughout Nicaragua. These cafes will be a meeting place for locals and tourists alike and will be designed in such a way as to highlight Nicaraguan coffee history. Café Mariana locations will expand brand exposure for the exported product as well. Café Mariana will have locations near the American School, the Lincoln School, Las Colinas, Santo Domingo and Carretera Sur.

Also under the banner of the philanthropic Grupo Mariana Green is a local furniture company called Mariana Design. Mariana Design will offer branded furniture and home furniture packages to real estate clients as well as the general public. Mariana Design will also feature online sales. Nicaraguan artisans using certified, reclaimed wood will construct all furniture created and sold through Mariana Design. Much of this wood originates from forest destruction or from Hurricane Felix.

In the last six months alone, a time period in which many projects have gone into hibernation or out of business, an extraordinary amount of progress has occurred at Grupo Mariana. The momentum and excitement that has been generated about Grupo Mariana is palpable. The year 2010 saw favorable receptions in markets in the United States, Canada, England and France—with successful visits to Houston, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, New York, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Miami, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, London and Cannes.

The press has taken notice of the progress at Grupo Mariana and articles have been featured in The New York Times, The Nica Times, The International Herald Tribune and International Property Journal. There has also been favorable coverage of the Wyndham Hotel & Resorts partnership and the introduction of Barbara Carrera as the Spokesperson for Fundación Grupo Mariana.

Investors have embraced the project, as witnessed by the fact that over 45 home sites closed in 2010 alone. A new sales center opened in Masachapa and the Maverick Investors Group, an exclusive sales and marketing company, became the sales broker of choice for the project. A political risk insurance policy is pending from AON Insurance Company for Seaside Mariana, which is the first such policy of real estate to be issued in the country. This provides investors with another layer of security for their investment. It is also noteworthy that Seaside Mariana is the only development in Nicaragua to have filed the extensive requirements for the SEC, Canadian Disclosure processes and pending HUD registration.

An on-site real time camera is being considered to be set up so proud owners can watch the progress and see firsthand the fruits of their investment. The environmental permit was issued by INEFOR and the coastal highway relocations were approved by the Ministry of Transportation and the Attorney General’s office, bringing Seaside Mariana even closer to fruition.

Also of note, the last six months saw the creation of a rental program to be managed by Kemper Sports Management, the third largest US based golf and hospitality management company. When owners are not onsite enjoying their properties they will be able to earn good money on their investment.   Seaside Mariana has also finished an 18-month process and the registration of the Home Owners Association on all 923 acres, with all covenants and restrictions, is complete.

Better yet, Grupo Mariana’s beachfront community is not the only project under the Grupo Mariana umbrella that is moving forward rapidly. Isla Mariana, an exotic island retreat, is moving full stream ahead and garnering wide enthusiasm for it’s secluded island location and unspoiled beauty.  The master plan of Isla Mariana has been completely revised and now features, among other things, a community marina and a 40-room boutique hotel under the Laya Boutique Hotel brand. The hotel design is underway and the bungalow plans are complete.

Isla Mariana has received all the necessary permits and construction can begin in 2011.  Isla Mariana will be the first property launched under the banner of Grupo Mariana Green. A full 10% of sales will be donated to the people and environment of Nicaragua, a contribution far exceeding the philanthropic standard in Nicaragua.

Isla Mariana will be a rustic wellness retreat; a “salt of the earth,” exotic escape for those in search of serenity and connection with nature. Isla Mariana is located just 30 minutes from the colonial city of Leon, on Nicaragua’s northern Pacific Coast. Isla Mariana is surrounded by the Juan Venado Nature Reserve as well as the unique Salinas Grandes area where salts are pulled directly from the sea. Isla Mariana is dedicated to preserving and promoting Nicaragua’s natural resources and hopes to classify the nearby salt fields as an eco preserve.

Isla Mariana is unique in the resort industry in Nicaragua. It is an off the beaten path destination, a true island getaway. Isla Mariana features 10.5 kilometers of pristine beach and is all about sand, sky, nature, health and water. Isla Mariana is for those seeking home sites and villas seamlessly blended with nature. Isla Mariana is ahead of the curve in focusing on healthy transportation alternatives, allowing residents to escape excessive vehicle noise and pollution. This is the location in Nicaragua for those wishing to re-center their minds and spirits.

Isla Mariana will feature Plumeria spa services with natural salt spa treatments as an additional way to partake of what nature has to offer in this unique area. Isla Mariana will also feature daily yoga practice, outdoor mediation gazebos, and is planning biannual yoga retreats on the island.

The island location of Isla Mariana offers one of the most peaceful and secluded environments available, without giving up fine spa treatments and quaint eateries. Residents can enjoy boat trips on the river, surfing and fishing and miles and miles of open beach, with nothing between them and nature.

Casa Mariana is an authentic Nicaraguan Boutique hotel offering the color and splendor of colonial Nicaragua. Casa Mariana provides a custom blend of family home warmth with the luxury of 5-Star service. Casa Mariana truly encompasses the best of both worlds.

Focusing on Nicaraguan history and cultural décor, Casa Mariana will feature magnificent refurbished architecture from the past. With modern conveniences situated in a city hospitality atmosphere, guests will enjoy the beauty of a bygone era without sacrificing comfort or amenities. In fact, Casa Mariana is bringing service to the next level with personal butler service, personal drivers and custom spa services. Guest can also relax in Casa Mariana’s restaurants featuring top chefs and healthy authentic cuisine, which utilizes fresh local ingredients.

In addition, Casa Mariana will provide guests with guided excursions and personalized day trips so they may experience firsthand the myriad riches Nicaragua has to offer. Part of Casa Mariana’s goal is to promote additional destinations so that guests may learn about and explore impressive Nicaraguan history, culture and geography during their stay.

Each Casa Mariana location will be a boutique experience for guests, with a maximum of 10 rooms, as well as oversized suites and courtyard gardens. For guests’ convenience there will be a business center and lounge as well as a customizable concierge service.

Casa Mariana will be in featured locations throughout Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast. Casa Mariana’s unique mixture of home warmth and luxurious 5-Star service will be coming to Granada, Managua, Ometepe, Leon, San Juan del Sur, Matagalpa, Esteli, Chinandega and the Seaside Mariana Town Center.

The new Laya Boutique Hotel will be a focal point within the Seaside project. The Laya Boutique Hotel caters to couples and will feature expansive ocean views. The Laya Boutique Hotel will provide guests with water and ocean themed rooms, with the texture and detail of water being paramount and ever present.

Upon arrival, Laya Boutique Hotel guests will be met with streamlined reception areas that utilize natural materials. The Laya Boutique Hotel will provide guests with serene spa services, casual bar service and scrumptious dining options. The highly designed bungalow interiors provide intimacy and tranquility, while the private exterior spaces are designed to provide an outdoor ambiance that blends harmoniously with the indoor ocean themed rooms.

Grupo Mariana continues to move forward on all fronts. The company hired a new Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.  Grupo Mariana has also brought on a new director of Planning and Topography, Director of Operations, Director of Information Technology and Director of Systems Development. In addition, Golf Operations Director Jerry Pierman and a Director of Legal Affairs and Financing, Mr. Dan Larkin have joined the Grupo Mariana advisory board.

The momentum and progress at Grupo Mariana in the last six months has been unsurpassed. Even though the past half-year has been a veritable whirlwind of activity, the best is yet to come.

Keep an eye out for further communications that will elaborate on the exciting developments on the horizon.

About Grupo Mariana

When you’re interested in receive further details about an early investment opportunity in Nicaragua, we can give you even more excellent reasons to explore a new life in Nicaragua, whether you’re interested in vacationing, retiring, starting a new business or investing in the lucrative opportunities that abound.

We are very excited about the future of our growing resort and would love to help you learn more about Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast.

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