Mishcon de Reya advises Matterhorn Capital and Kingswood Property Investors on five-star Caribbean Resort Development

Mishcon de Reya has advised long standing clients Anthony Lyons and Simon Conway of Matterhorn Capital and Gary Wilder and Jonathan Massing of Kingswood Property Investors (KPI) on a joint investment in a five-star Caribbean resort. Matterhorn Capital and KPI set up Sugar Beach Investments to invest in the continued redevelopment of the Jalousie Plantation Resort Hotel in St Lucia, a four-year project costing around $100 million. The Jalousie Plantation was rated First Place for Favourite Overseas Hotel in the Conde Nast 2010 Travel Awards.

Together, Matterhorn Capital and KPI have invested $20 million into the project, which will see the hotel rebranded as the Tides Sugar Beach Resort — with 85 luxury villas, Spa, kids club and new facilities set in 185 acres of rainforest at the foot of the Petit and Gros Piton Mountains.

The Mishcon team led by Corporate Partner Dean Poster, with Finance Partner Luke Morris, supported by Assistants Neville Moore and Sarah Spurling advised throughout the process involving the set up of an innovative investment structure. Poster commented The Caribbean has been an area hard struck by the economic downturn, which has pushed down property prices. Although banks are reluctant to lend to the region, for those willing to invest with funds available, it is a lucrative area for development. These clients have taken this opportunity, and together with other clients, have indicated their willingness to invest in future Caribbean ventures.