Tucson-based Miraval Life In Balance is expanding with new projects in New York City and Costa Rica.
Beginning as early as mid-2007, wealthy New Yorkers wanting to have the Miraval experience at their fingertips can move into a new residential development touting spa, fitness, nutrition and wellness programs.
The project "Miraval Living," a high-rise featuring 365 apartments on New York's Upper East Side, is the first Miraval residential development.
Over the next five to 10 years, Miraval plans to open 10 to 15 similar residential developments in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami and Washington, D.C, said John Vanderslice, Miraval's CEO.
Prices for the New York apartments start at $650,000 and range up to $2.8 million.
The wellness company is also expanding to the northwest coast of Costa Rica with a 140-room property scheduled to open in 2008.
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Located on 500 acres in the province of Guanacaste, Miraval Life in Balance, Costa Rica will be the first resort outside the Tucson area.
"Costa Rica's a growing destination in the world," he said. "From an eco-standpoint, there are similarities to the Tucson desert. The ecotourism market matches the aesthetic of Miraval."
The new resort also means a name change for the local property, now called Miraval Life in Balance, Tucson.
The Tucson resort features 100 luxury, hacienda-style guest rooms on 400 acres, nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Oro Valley.
Seasonal rates average about $550 per person for one-night stays at the resort.
Those rates include access to Miraval's wellness programs focusing on the "body, mind and spirit."
Though Miraval plans to open six to eight more resorts in the next decade, Vanderslice said people will still come to Tucson for the unique atmosphere and landscape.
"Tucson has a big appeal from the East Coast market," Vanderslice said. "People will always want to come to the mother ship for the rejuvenation experience. We still see Tucson as the institution of the brand and see people coming back."
Residents at Miraval Living, New York will have access to similar programs and classes focusing on health and wellness programs by on-site consultants. Each resident is assigned a Miraval adviser to meet wellness needs, Vanderslice said.
The building features environmentally-sensitive designs and includes a 20,000-square-foot private garden, a Miraval café serving healthy foods and a challenge course in the building.
Tucson-based Canyon Ranch is also opening residential and hotel properties outside Tucson. Canyon Ranch's developments in Miami and Chicago feature luxury condos and access to medical and wellness services offered by a team of onsite specialists.
Canyon Ranch also has a resort in Lenox, Mass., and has spa clubs at the Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas and the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla., and onboard the Queen Mary 2.
Kevin Kelly, president of Canyon Ranch, said it looked at the same New York building Miraval bought, to open a residential development.
Although the two companies are pursuing similar strategies in similar markets, Kelly rejected describing them as competitors.
Next year Canyon Ranch plans to open a seven-acre oceanfront property in Miami featuring 151 condo-hotel suites and 467 condominium residences. The property features a 60,000 square-foot Spa & Fitness Center, including a Canyon Ranch Health & Healing Center that will offer preventive medicine and wellness services.
The wellness company is also partnering with Chicago-based LR Development Co. to develop a $450 million Chicago residential project expected in 2010.
Canyon Ranch Living-Chicago, a 67-story tower, overlooks the Magnificent Mile, the city's renowned luxury shopping and entertainment district.
The high-rise will house a 65,000-square-foot health and wellness center, 256 luxury condos and 128 hotel-condominium rooms.
About 600 people are on a waiting list for the Chicago project, Kelly said.
● Miraval Living, New York, a highrise on the city's Upper East Side, will be the first Miraval residential development. Some parts of the building are scheduled to open mid-2007.
l Apartments: 365
l Price range: $650,000to $2.8 million.
● Miraval Life in Balance, Costa Rica is the first Miraval resort outside the Tucson area. It's located on 500 acres in the province of Guanacaste, and is scheduled to open in 2008.
l Rooms: 100
l Villas: 40
l Prices: Average about $550 per person