(CNN) -
Packing up and moving to an exotic island has been a dream of many globetrotters, but it seems the prospect is becoming even more attractive due to the global pandemic.
Several agents reported a large increase in demand for private islands in the months after COVID-19 paralyzed much of the world, with one telling The New York Times that it had had its busiest two months in more than 20 years. .
And judging by the response to this upcoming luxury floating real estate development launching near the Bahamas in 2025, interest in relocating to a safe haven in the middle of the sea remains high.
The Blue Estate Group has been inundated with applications after revealing plans for the artificial island Blue Estate, where property prices start at $ 19,800 and climb to more than $ 1 billion.
Located a 25-minute plane ride from the Bahamian capital Nassau and just under 90 minutes from Miami, the island will measure 1,500 meters by 1,000 meters, an area half the size of Monaco, and can host up to 15,000 residents. permanent.
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The floating city
Those who purchase a place in the "world's most exclusive private residence" will enjoy more than 340 days of sunshine a year thanks to the island's prime location, according to the developers.
"At first we were concerned that the current pandemic could have a negative impact on the project," Erik Schmidt, director of communications for the Blue Estate Group, told CNN Travel.
'But fortunately it developed differently.
Some districts are almost completely sold out and the sales team is doing their best to keep up with requests and questions.
Properties on offer range from $ 19,800 20-square-meter interior apartments, $ 194,400 for balcony apartments, and a $ 54 million five-bedroom garden villa, as well as two 'exclusive property' mega-mansions, each with an estimated price of US $ 1,150 million.
Those rich enough to afford the latter will have to submit an "innovative architectural concept" before they can be approved to buy the mansion, and Schmidt confirms that an application has already been submitted.
The island, which is built with "ultra-high-performance concrete modules", will have its own state-of-the-art health clinic, as well as an international school that can serve students from "young children to graduates with diplomas."
"Everyone is welcome" to the island of luxury
"There are no special requirements to become a Blue Estate resident," explains Schmidt.
“We require that all residents and visitors abide by” the Blue Estates community guidelines and rules ”from the day they arrive on the island, and must be able to sustain their island life by themselves.
"Everyone is welcome to buy, own or rent property and / or open a business at Blue Estate."
Residents who work here can apply for a variety of business licenses, valid for a 12-month period, but will not be taxed.
"The increase in remote work opportunities in the last decade (not only due to the pandemic) allows more people to freely choose a 'base of operations' that best suits their individual needs," he explains, before indicating that the Resident's average age is probably "significantly lower" than most other cities.
"Young entrepreneurs can focus on starting their business and don't have to struggle with paperwork and paying high taxes."
An environmentally friendly community
Blue Estate will also have several ocean clubs, lake-style pools, playgrounds, markets, restaurants, bars, and shopping areas, so residents will likely have plenty to entertain themselves.
Although it is difficult to judge how much the global pandemic may have contributed to buyers' decision to purchase a Blue Estate property, Schmidt says many have raised concerns about "personal or business restrictions" in their home countries.
Although most of the buyers have been from the US, some residents of Canada, Europe and China have bought some properties.
"Dissatisfaction has always been and will continue to be a driver of change," adds Schmidt.
There is also no visa requirement for buyers, residents "can stay as long as they want at the Blue Estate," according to Schmidt.
However, all arrivals will be subject to security checks similar to those at airports.
While construction won't start until next year and the island won't be fully finished for another four years, some of the properties may be ready for delivery by mid-2023.
To achieve its goal of being one of the 'greenest communities in the world', all energy on the island will be generated from renewable sources, and a single-use, zero-emission no plastic policy will be applied.
Blue Estate is also open to non-residents, however visitors must apply for a permit / visa prior to their trip as only a specific number of visitors will be allowed on the island at that time.
There will be two hotels on the island to accommodate visitors.
A mobile floating island
Although its position in the Caribbean Sea means that the strong current could become a concern, the island is protected with outer walls measuring more than 50 meters that "will dwarf the largest waves in the ocean," according to the Blue Estate Group.
It will also have automatic hurricane barriers that can be extended to provide the community with an additional shield against high winds.
In the worst case, the entire island can "roll away" from the oncoming storms due to its high-tech features.
While the Blue Estate appears to be the first floating real estate development that allows you to buy your properties, Schmidt believes that similar projects will start to emerge in the future, particularly due to the demand for isolated locations, which has been triggered by the pandemic.
"Our engineers have been working on the project since 2016, which gives us a bit of an advantage," he says.
"However, we already have plans to scale if demand remains at the current level or increases."
News of the development comes as construction continues on the Heart of Europe, a $ 5 billion mega-resort made up of a group of six man-made islands off the coast of Dubai designed to replicate popular European destinations like Sweden, Germany, Switzerland. and Venice.
Work on the ambitious project, which will largely be made up of hospitality establishments and second homes, began in 2003 and is scheduled to be completed in 2023.
Luxury island