From the City to the Soto Farm

PANAMA: THE VISION

Our vision for Panama started to take shape in July, 2007. What began as just an idea has, over a period of time, developed into a full-fledged planned community.

It began with a journey to The Republic of Panama to seek a site to bring this idea into being. We selected 98 acres on the Pacific Coast, approximately 30 miles from downtown Panama City and three miles from a toll road that provides direct access into the city. The Pacific Ocean is approximately three miles southwest of the property.

The property is known in the area as the Soto Farm. The Soto Farm has been a working coffee farm for some 30 years.

The development will be identified as MONTE VIEJO (Old Mountain), a private residential community. The Monte Viejo property elevation ranges from 800 to 1100 feet. To the south is the Pacific Ocean, and on a clear day the city of Panama can be seen in the distance. Some eight to ten miles to the north lies an old mountain range with peaks climbing to approxi- mately 7000 feet.

Much of the time the mountain tops are in the clouds and mist. The two terrains give us a contrast – the ocean on one side and magnificent mountains on the other.

The Soto Farm property has three spring-fed ponds and an incredible 21-acre, ancient natural forest. The forest has been preserved and protected.

These are some of the things that on my first visit to the property caught my immediate attention, and the vision that we now hold for the MONTE VIEJO COMMUNITY began to emerge.

Ocean View 3 miles away

Our vision for the community is to focus on maintaining the property’s original green nature.

The plan calls for a minimum of construction while leaving a large part of the 98 acres as a natural environment.

One of our first questions was, “Could the coffee farm become a benefit to a community development?” It is currently maintained as a natural organic farm. As the community plans began to take shape it became clear that if an arrangement could be made, the coffee farm could become an attraction for the community and guests. The answer seemed to be, “Yes, if the community residents and their guests could have access to the farm for their enjoyment.”

We believe that the Soto Coffee Farm in itself is an attraction. For one thing, very few people have ever seen a coffee farm. 

Our decision was to negotiate an arrangement with the owners of the farm that would allow our community residents to utilize these strikingly beautiful grounds. Vegetation includes a variety of fruit trees such as citrus, avocado, date palms and other tropical vegetation and flowering plants.

Our agreement with the farm will allow the community residents and guests to enjoy the beautiful grounds and the ancient forest in a manner that most

would never imagine possible.

Our plan is to construct villa buildings of two to four stories each with six to eight residences per floor. The buildings on each site will be designed to fit the rolling land rather than change the land to conform to the construction. We estimate that each villa building with parking will require less than one acre.

It is anticipated that many of the future property owners may be seeking either vacation or pre-retirement homes. We do not expect all owners to be full-time residents. With this in mind, we are planning and designing everything to accommodate both part-time and full-time residents, whether retired or vacationing. 

Photos above are a representative style of building

Each building will be designed to blend with its specific site. The objective is to achieve individuality with each building. It is important that we avoid the appearance of rubber-stamp design. It will be distinct in that it will fit its specific site and no two will look the same, creating a true community appearance, rather than a housing development.

THE TUSCAN INN AND SPA

The Tuscan Inn and Spa is currently planned with 27 private rooms, a restaurant, health spa, and a community room which will include a coffee shop with a WIFI center for the benefit of residents, hotel and spa guests. The hotel swimming pool will be available for use by community residents as well as

hotel guests. 

The Tuscan Inn and facilities will follow the Tuscan/Spanish architecture of the community development.

Thank you for viewing our photo tour of the Soto Farm.

All construction photos are conceptual.

The Monte Viejo Community Development

and The Tuscan Inn and SpaIf you would like more information or to be included on our mailing list, please email your address to:

sierragroup@bellsouth.net

Thank you,Joe Kownslar

General Manager