CORONA DEL MAR, Calif., April 15, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- An experienced and successful developer in Spain builds an active living lifestyle community and receives accolades from The London Daily Telegraph and wins a platinum award from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in Washington, D.C. One of Mexico's largest firms -- and the world's largest ready mix cement producer -- identifies markets for active living lifestyle communities in resort destinations in Mexico. What do these important international companies have in common? They are all clients of Active Living International, a consulting and management group in Corona del Mar, California that provides American experience and expertise in the development, marketing, operations and sales of active living lifestyle projects internationally.
"When clients achieve measurable success, awards, new business, sales and profits attributable directly to the work we've done for them, it means we're doing our job," says David Collins, founder of Active Living International.
And it's a job that is becoming a highly sought-after commodity, says Collins.
Outside the U.S., little progress was made during the 1990s towards full-scale development of retirement housing options, especially considering the size of the world's Baby Boomer market. That's changing for both American and international developers. The United Nations estimates that by 2025, 1.2 billion people will be over the age of 60, almost double the current figure of 629 million. This growth represents massive market potential for developers. To capitalize on this opportunity, American active living experience and talent is in growing demand, Collins explains.
An experienced Spanish developer partnered with Active Living International in the feasibility, design, development and construction of Sensara -- the first dedicated active adult community ever built in Spain. George Argyros, U.S. Ambassador to Spain, visited the development and called it a "prime example of the combination of American experience and Spanish development expertise."
The 150-unit community on Spain's Costa del Sol was recognized as the "Best Retirement Development in Europe" at the 2004 Homes Overseas Awards in London, sponsored by The Daily Telegraph, British Airways and MoneyCorp. The Awards showcased the best new property developments from the five most popular destination countries for U.K's age 55+ market. In January 2005, Sensara also won NAHB's Platinum award for "Best Retirement Community in Development" at the association's Orlando convention attended by 125,000 members. The company also won Platinum awards for "Best Active Living Logo" and "Best Active Living Web site" (www.sensara.com).
Closer to home, Active Living International completed a comprehensive study in Fall 2004 for CEMEX of Monterrey, Mexico. This study led to last week's announcement of a planned development in Nuevo Vallarta for a $100 million active living community, the first of its kind in Mexico.
Active Living International's consulting work is not only good business for the international market but for local companies as well. California's Prudential Real Estate, Mexican Resort Properties division, is expected to handle sales with McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners providing architecture, planning and interior design. The Irvine office of Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, an international law firm, will provide legal counsel.
Active Living International, LLC is an international consulting firm that provides American experience and expertise in the development, marketing, operations and sales of active living lifestyle communities and assisted living development and operations internationally. Founded in 2000 by David Collins, a pioneer in active and assisted living for over 30 years, Active Living International serves clients in Spain, Mexico, Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany. The firm is headquartered in Corona del Mar, California. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at activelivinginternational.com.