Simpson Furones International and Emporia Capital have unveiled the floor plan for their condo project, Gemini Villas on Isla Contadora, located in Panama’s Pearl Islands.

These spacious 1,521 square foot (141.31 square meter) 3-bedroom or 2-bedroom with study units are unique to Panama. Employing the latest technologies in green building construction materials, methods, equipment and fixtures provides home-owners energy and water-efficiency, ease of maintenance, high-performance and lasting beauty. The Gemini Villas are housed in two-story structures; one condo per floor. The first level is easily accessible for those not wanting to deal with stairs. The second level offers views of the ocean and a 360 degree view of the island from the private rooftop deck.

Built to North American standards, these beautifully appointed homes create the perfect island get-away with generous use of shaded windows, ceramic tiled floors, 277 square foot (25.72 square meter) balcony and ample storage, including lockable storage should you choose to use your investment as rental property.

The Gemini Villas come complete with energy-efficient kitchen appliances, A/C units, washer and dryer, ceiling fans, light fixtures and German engineered windows. The Master bedroom and bath include a walk-in closet, Juliet balcony, double sinks, double sized shower, separate WC and a linen closet. The units are pre-engineered for smart controls on lighting, air conditioning, audio/visual and security systems. We offer a menu of high-tech add-ons for you to chose from.

Pricing for these units starts at $395,000. Construction commenced in January with first unit deliveries in the fall of 2012.

For additional information, please contact Jennifer Simpson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to open the PDF file

The April/May/June 2012 issue of Green Building & Design Magazine includes an article on a project completed by Simpson Furones International in the Republic of Panama.

The featured project was the Visitors Center for Panama Pacifico.

Panama Pacifico is a mixed-use real estate development in Panama. The project has been in development since 2007.^[1]

London & Regional Properties and Colombian banker Jaime Gilinski are developing the Panama Pacifico^[2] business and residential development. The US $705 million project, located on the former Howard Air Force Base in Panama, includes 2,005 acres (8.11 km²) of land, which makes it one of the largest development projects in the world. Due to the site's proximity to the Panama Canal and an unused air strip, Panama Pacifico will be a hub for international trade and commerce.

London & Regional Panama isalso making Panama Pacifico an attractive place to live. 20,000 homes will be surrounded by a natural environment of mangroves, wetlands, and tropical forests. Many innovative, eco-friendly technologies will be used to preserve the lushness of the area. Panama Pacifico encourages residents to enjoy nature with features like pedestrian-friendly walkways and a world-class golf course, situated among hundreds of acres of tropics. The community’s homes are designed to complement the natural landscape. The Panamá Pacífico master-planned community will feature 20,000 homes within several neighborhoods: Town Center residential, Kobbe Hills and Puente Verde, The Woodlands, among others. Residents and guests will be able to walk to parks, playgrounds, schools, and shopping and dining establishments. Luxury hotels will also be on-property for vacationers and workers from around the world. A downtown plaza, Town Center, will serve as a central point for Panama Pacifico’s retail, restaurant, and entertainment properties.^[1]

Green Building & Design is published in the United States and comes out quarterly.

www.gbdmagazine.com

The contract to provide professional services to the historic Hotel Herrera in the Republic of Panama has been awarded to Simpson Furones International.

The scope of work includes interior design, green building and construction management consulting as well as procurement services for furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E).

The Hotel Herrera is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Panama City’s old town known as Casco Viejo. Also called Casco Antiguo, it was established in 1667 after the original Panama City, which was founded in 1519, was burned to the ground by the English pirate Henry Morgan.

Although some of the buildings in Casco date back to the 1600’s, many of the existing buildings are attributed to the late 1800’s when the French were attempting to build the Panama Canal. The predominance of French Colonial architecture gives the area a distinctive look reminiscent of New Orleans in the United States.

The Hotel Herrera will set a new standard in luxury lodging combining the best of meticulous historic preservation with 21^st century amenities and green materials, products and procedures.

The original building was constructed in 1922 by former Panamanian President Agusto Samuel Boyd. French artisans were employed to create spectacular architectural touches in the woodwork, ceiling details and hand painted wall tiles.

The Hotel Herrera will offer 11 luxury guest suites, 5 on the historic level of the hotel and 6 on the contemporary Glass Suites level.  Additional features include an Old World Pub, a VIP Wine Cellar dining experience, an elegant Martini Bar and al fresco dining in the interior courtyard complete with water features.

For detailed information, please view the hotel website at www.hotelherrera.com

Simpson Furones International was awarded the contract to perform LEED Consulting for the Data Center addition to their facility in the City of Knowledge.  

“Panama's Ciudad del Saber (Spanish for City of Knowledge) is a government sponsored cluster of academic organizations, technology companies and non-governmental organizations, managed by the foundation of the same name. It is located just across the Miraflores locks, in what used to be United States Army South Headquarters, Fort Clayton.” (1)

Today, the institution provides facilities and support to programs in education, research, technological development and innovation, while promoting integration of institutions, business, and programs.(2)

Among its better known affiliates are UNICEF's regional headquarters, the Red Cross, the United Nations Development Programme regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean, the World Food Program, and Plan International. (3)

The City of Knowledge has made the commitment that all construction follow the guidelines of LEED Certification; Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, an international certification process developed by the US Green Building Council.

This project presented a challenge to the stipulation that all projects be LEED rated. Since it was an addition to an existing data center building, it would be unable to qualify for sufficient points to attain a LEED rating.  Keith Furones presented the solution in a variance requiring the Architect and Contractor to adhere to the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan and Recycle requirements of LEED-NC, without having to register the project, and perform the required observation and recording.  This was a fair compromise that preserved the integrity of the City of Knowledge requirement without an additional burden on the cost of the project.

(1) Wikipedia

Simpson Furones International and Emporia Capital announce a new residential condo project called Gemini Villas on Contadora Island.

Isla Contadora in Panama’s Pearl Islands, is the most developed of the 220 island and islet archipelago. Located just 40 miles south of Panama City, it is a 20-minute plane ride or a 90-minute ferry ride on a comfortable 64 passenger catamaran.

The airstrip on Contadora serves multiple daily flights to and from Panama City on Air Panama and Aeroperlas. The Sea Las Perlas catamaran ferry runs round trips Thursday through Monday with Tuesday and Wednesday available for charters.

There are four restaurants, three small grocery stores, two resorts and several B&B’s.

Golf carts are the primary mode of transportation around the idyllic tropical isle and walking from one end of the island to the other is an easy stroll.

The island is surrounded by gorgeous light sand beaches and blindingly beautiful turquoise water. If you are into game fishing, the Pearl Islands are one of the top destinations globally. A large part of the year, the Pearl Islands are also one of the world’s great whale watching sites.

Isla Contadora is the most prestigious vacation home location in the country for Panamanians. For this reason, there are very few new residential properties available on the island. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity.