What We Stopped
777 timeshare units. Three developments.
One community that said no — and won.
In 2007, the Developer announced plans that would have transformed Rio Mar from a resort community into something unrecognizable: 777 new timeshare units built across three of Rio Mar's most beloved spaces — the beach club, the ocean course golf holes (10,11,17 & 18), and the tennis center.
Imagine, at double occupancy, turning over every week, would have brought more than 80,000 new visitors a year to Rio Mar — on top of existing residents and hotel guests— and this is an extremely conservative number!
Rio Mar residents pushed back. After 14 years in court, we won.
Here's what we stopped.
249 units. Where the beach club stands today.
The Developer's plan called for a 249-unit timeshare tower (pictured above) rising over the current beach club and extending across the parking area at the end of hole 15. Demolition of the 15th hole had already begun despite an injunction being in place— originally a par 5, the hole was shortened to make way for this giant tower..
Picture a high-rise like the towers in Isla Verde or Luquillo — but here, on Rio Mar's shoreline, casting its shadow across the beach you know.
That was the plan.
231 units. On the golf course.
To build 231 timeshare units the developer planned to destroy holes on the Rio Mar golf course —Hole 10,11, 17 and 18 would be irreparably harmed or eliminated altogether. The 72-hole Fazio designed crown jewel would become unrecognizable.
297 units. Where the tennis center is.
The Tennis Center Timeshares — 297 units — required eliminating the tennis center entirely. All 13 courts. Despite the legal easement, the Developer tore down the beautiful Pavillion restaurant that was atop the center. An injunction had to be filed to protect the remaining tennis facilities. Our tennis facilities would have been gone had the community not gotten involved.