Get to know the interview with Manuel Martín, developer of Chay Tulum and CEO of VREX INMOBILIARIA, as well as all the details of this great project.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO DEVELOP IN TULUM? HOW DO YOU SEE TULUM COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD?
It all started 20 years ago, when I came to Cancun and Tulum for the first time, I perfectly remember seeing how this place has been developing, it is a mystical place, magical for all the ancient beauty of the Mayan culture, it is also a place that many people around the world comes and that makes it a destination place, we have fantastic hotels, delicious restaurants, beach clubs, amazing places, even museums like Sfer Ik, which is located in Azulik Uh May.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS GROWTH?
I think it’s good for the destination, and the community since it increases the job offer for the people who live here, also to create good strategies in real estate developments, developments that care more about nature.
WHERE DOES ALL THE INSPIRATION COME FROM? HOW IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
I like to think that everything beautiful has already been invented, but probably my creative process starts by bringing some of the best things I’ve ever seen and mixing them, for example, you can see all the Yucatecan details, a bit of inspiration at Holistika Tulum, you can see features of Italian architecture with the mirrors that reflect the jungle, I like to be able to create beautiful things in unique, traditional and modern places.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN DEVELOPING CHAY?
It has not been difficult. I think the most important thing is the suppliers to be able to deliver on time, but apart from that, nothing more. When you have a good team, capable engineers, etc., the process is very easy.
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT I GET ASKED ALL THE TIME. IT IS ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL, THE PERSON SEES THE GLASS STRUCTURE, AND THEY THINK IT IS FRAGILE. COULD YOU EXPLAIN US ABOUT THIS?
Do you know or have you seen the skyscrapers in Dubai? We have the same quality of glass that they install in those gigantic buildings in Dubai. Our supplier is a French company dedicated to high strength glass manufacturing glass. It is a fairly thick structure of cement and metal, on which the glass is installed.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT CHAY, WOULD YOU?
I wouldn’t change anything, you’ve seen the design, the space, the idyllic jungle, the way we treat our clients, I definitely wouldn’t change a thing.
MOVING ON TO ANOTHER TOPIC. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TALK ABOUT THE QUALITY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IN MEXICO AND THE LIFESTYLE IN TULUM. HOW ABOUT?
The service in Mexico is excellent, anywhere you go you feel welcome; not even in Dubai you can find the quality of service anywhere you go you feel welcome, they are warm, and in the Riviera Maya it is Top. The beautiful thing about living in Tulum is that you can have friends from all over the world, Europeans, Asians, Americans, and South Americans; I feel like a mini New York, you can see many different people living here, a beautiful community is created. Most of our clients are foreigners from the USA, Europe, and Canada and of course Mexico.
YOU MENTIONEND THE AZULIK SFER IK MUSEUM EARTLIER, I GOT A LITTLE TIDBIT, IS IT TRUE THAT YOU ARE PLANNING TO BUILD NEAR SFER IK IN UH MAY?
It is top secret, we have only acquired 3,000 SQMT very close to Sfer Ik, the idea is still in process, we are planning to do something as beautiful as Chay but it will probably take us 2 or 3 more years, as soon as everything is organized we will let you know.
3 UNMISSABLE PLACES IN TULUM BY Manuel Martín
I think Tulum has several faces, to spend time, the party also the mystical and the spiritual experience everything depends on what you like, if you are spiritual, you like meditation, yoga I can recommend Hotel Holistika they have a wide variety of activities such as meditation , yoga, tantra, temazcal.
Tulum Jungle Gym for those who like to exercise near the sea.
Sfer Ik Uh May this place blew my mind, it’s amazing, what they did there is amazing. Plus: for the party I like to go to Rosa Negra, Taboo, Vagalume, Papaya Playa Project.
