Ariel Sands management hope to break ground in October on the first six of the $3 million townhouses they are building on the property.

General manager John O'Brien said he had already received more than a dozen expressions of interest from people on the Island.

The plan is to have the first six of the 13 homes completed by next Autumn, begin seven to ten in October 2004, with completion of the rest afterwards.

All the luxury villas will have four bedrooms, private spa, a swimming pool, and offer more than 3,000 square feet of living space.

The new homes will not be directly on the seafront but will be on a hill above the resort, so construction will not interfere with the running of the hotel. Mr. O'Brien said the idea was to do the noisy construction work over the winter so as not to disrupt the hotel during the summer.

"We will zone off a whole area that doesn't affect the operation of the hotel, and hopefully by May they will be doing quieter work," he said.

The company has just applied for final planning permission, and Mr. O'Brien said he hoped the first six villas would be ready as early as next Autumn.

According to the company's website: "A devotion to well-being and an adherence to Feng Shui design principles makes these homes absolutely unique.

"Water is everywhere. Ocean views, infinity plunge pools and garden water features are integral to each home.

"In the master suite, custom-designed private indoor and outdoor spa rooms promise sanctuary and balance."

The homes will be in the $3 million range and the maintenance fee will be $1500 per month. The architects are Terceira and Associates and the landscape designers are EDSA, who have worked on numerous Disney projects as well as Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas.