Four Seasons home on the seas

Singapore was a recent stop on the ongoing global tour for the unveiling of the Four Seasons ???Ocean Residences???. The private preview and off-plan sales of the 221 metre Four Seasons, which is being developed by BV International Ocean Holdings Ltd, took place in mid-September at an invitation-only event at the Four Seasons Hotel, organized by sales agent Savills International.

Savills, which previously helped sell units in the only comparable ship sailing today, The World managed by ResidenSea, said the response in Asia to the 13-deck, 48,600-tonne Four Seasons was staggering. ???The response in the Far East is about 10 times what it was five years ago (for sales of The World). The increasing wealth in the region is amazing,?? David Vaughan of Savills told Property Report. ???To get the name of Four Seasons, the top hotel operator in the world, is quite the most amazing achievement for the developers. The ship will be a moving flagship for the Four Seasons.??

Under construction at Aker shipyard in Finland and set for completion in 2010, the ship will feature 112 private residences and 70,000sqft of public space, featuring four restaurants, bars, a Monte Carlo-style casino, designer retail outlets and a gourmet market. Leisure facilities include a stunning swimming pool, a lavish 11,000sqft Four Seasons Spa and fitness centre, a jogging track, driving range and putting greens, and watersports ???toys???, including a Riva speedboat. There will also be a business centre, tutoring facility, medical facility with a full-time doctor and an operating room, and a helipad that can be used for emergencies, as well as standard passenger transfers.

The Four Seasons will be the first ship in which every single bedroom has an outside bulkhead, with wall-to-ceiling windows. The majority are located on decks 6-10 and range in price from just under $4 million for a one-bedroom apartment (797sqft) to over $12 million for a three-bedroom apartment (2,418-2,899sqft). On the upper decks, 11-13, there are six penthouses (2,914-7,860sqft), with prices ranging from just over $15 million to over $40 million for a four-bedroom triplex.

Ownership of units is via a 50-year leasehold, which is transferable and can be resold, while the Resident???s Association will have the right to renew at the end of the 50-year term. The Four Seasons, which can accommodate 550 guests and 220 crew (who each have their own cabin), is scheduled to start sailing on June 1, 2010.