The first wave pool in the history of Uruguay and probably in the entire Southern Cone will be built in a private neighborhood located between Manantiales and José Ignacio, in the department of Maldonado, one of the partners of the project, Federico Fischer, informed DUKE.

DUKE reported in September 2021 that this project was studying its feasibility conducting market research that involved, among other things, contacting the country's surfing community. According to the businessman, this is now confirmed.

The project's promoters are a group of Uruguayan businessmen who joined forces with the real estate developer Schabsis Group, "a group that has been operating in Uruguay for more than 50 years and that has an excellent track record and experience in the development of subdivisions (plotting) and construction of buildings (medium density)," Fischer informed DUKE.

On the other hand, he confirmed that in November 2022 the contract was signed with Wavegarden, the Basque wave pool construction company that will now carry out the first phase of the construction process, which is a feasibility study.

From Wavegarden's menu of pools, the Cove model was chosen as the one installed in Praia da Grama, a private neighbourhood located in São Paulo, Brazil, which has more than 20 different waves “ideal for everyone: beginners, intermediates and professionals,” details the Basque company's website.

 

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“Following the successful outcome of the Market Study, as well as the on-site knowledge of the spectacular Wavegarden experience in Praia Da Grama, and the excellent relationship with the Basque company, the real estate group decided to take the plunge and develop the first wave pool in Uruguay,” says Fischer.

Praia Da Grama, a private neighborhood being developed in São Paulo, has been a novelty in the Brazilian real estate world. Using the wave pool as a driving force, they managed to increase the value of the square meter far above expectations, The price of a square meter went from $60 to $500 in 18 months, Wavegarden reported in a press release sent in July 2022..

The success of this project was so great that the lots that cost between half a million and a million dollars were sold out, according to the company, and there were 500 people on the waiting list for the plots in the next phase.

“In all my years developing projects, I have never seen the price of lots go up like in Praia da Grama. It has exceeded all expectations,” said Oscar Segall, CEO of KSM Realty, the developer.

In Uruguay, the neighborhood will have approximately 400 lots with an average area of ​​1.100 square meters and some low-rise apartment buildings.

“In addition, the neighborhood will have other infrastructure suitable for other recreational activities such as tennis and paddle courts, a skate park, a soccer/basketball court, a gym, among others,” Fischer adds.

The sale of plots and the launch of the project are expected to take place at the end of the summer when feasibility studies and permits are completed.