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mlb pitcher mark melancon in the zone with riviera nayarit retreat

May 2, 2019 The Star

San Francisco Giants pitcher Mark Melancon was standing in the middle of the ballpark … and imagining himself in his hot tub.

 

No, it wasn’t an idle moment during a game or practice at Oracle Park. Melancon was test-driving the floor plans for his family’s dream home in Mexico.

 

He couldn’t get to the actual site so he made the most of home-field advantage by bringing the project to California. Developer Ricardo Santa Cruz and two colleagues flew up from Puerto Vallarta to map out the 19,000-square-foot mansion using stakes and rope in the stadium’s outfield.

 

“It was really helpful because it gave me a physical idea of how big each space was,” Melancon told the Star in a phone interview. “On paper, it was hard to grasp.”

 

The residence, designed by Arizona architect Rick Joy, will be a secondary home for the pro athlete, his wife Mary Catherine and their three children, ages 3, 4 and 7.

 

It’s the largest of 55 private villas at One&Only Mandarina, a new luxury resort and residential community on Riviera Nayarit, about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. The other homes, which are being marketed by The Agency, range up to 11,000 square feet and are priced at roughly $4.5 million to $12 million (U.S.).

 

As the first buyers about 18 months ago, the Melancons paid $9 million for their retreat that’s perched on a private cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

 

“Your house is a really big house,” Santa Cruz had told Melancon. “We need a big, flat field.”

 

The pitcher, who has played for the Giants for two years since signing a four-year $62-million (U.S.) contract, knew just where to find one: his home stadium.

 

Santa Cruz’s team made two visits there — last fall and again in March — spending three or four hours positioning stakes and stringing yellow rope across the grass to outline the scale interior and exterior living spaces. Then the Melancons did a walk-through, tweaking and adjusting the layout before finalizing the design so construction could begin.

 

Among the changes were enlarged bedrooms and a wider kitchen after Melancon pictured himself opening the fridge doors and decided more room was needed. He also paid special attention to the gym.

 

“It was nice to be able to see how big it was,” he says, envisioning how his fitness equipment would fit. “I’m picky on that stuff.”

 

According to Santa Cruz, Melancon “had a really big wish list” for his tropical hideaway, which is divided into three buildings.

 

The final plans, customized for an active family who enjoy entertaining, include a media room, casino and game room, two hot tubs and two pools.

 

The infinity pool, which appears to hang off the edge of the bluff, isn’t designed for water games so a kid-friendly second pool was added, Santa Cruz explains.

 

He lauds the Melancons’ choice of location, which offers “spectacular views” of the beach, ocean, mountains, and the development’s polo fields and equestrian centre.

 

“What’s really cool about the home is one wing goes into the jungle so you get the full jungle immersion,” he says.

 

Calling the purchase a “wise investment,” Santa Cruz suggests a ballpark figure of $15 million as the appreciated value of Melancon’s property once his villa and the resort hotel are finished in about a year.

 

San Francisco’s Oracle Park, meanwhile, has been returned to its original purpose. Melancon and the Giants host the Toronto Blue Jays on May 14-15 after San Francisco swept a two-game series at the Rogers Centre late last month.

 

“Toronto’s one of my favourite cities,” Melancon says. “I love it there. The people are nice, down-to-earth.”

 

*Originally posted on The Star

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Map of Mandarina, Mexico
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Rosewood MandarinaRosewood Mandarina will have a residential-style hotel and set of unique private residences beginning in 2021.

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The JettyResidents and guests will depart The Jetty for their water adventures and gather each afternoon to enjoy the sunset.

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One&Only Private HomesThe villas are located in an exquisite private location in close proximity to the One&Only Mandarina.

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Rosewood Residences Starting in 2021, Rosewood Residences will take their residents deep into nature, offering them award-winning Rosewood hospitality.

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Canalan Beach ClubThe Canalan Beach Club is located on 1.6 kilometers of pristine and golden beaches for swimming, where you can enjoy kayaking and snorkeling.

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The Point An adult-only spot nestled on the rugged mountains, Carao captures the most spectacular views of the Mandarina sunsets.

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The PlateauA different poolside relaxation and dining experience, The Plateau overlooks The Jetty and the horizon of the Pacific Ocean.

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One&Only Majahua Beach ClubLocated on the calm waters of the Pacific, the One&Only Majahua Beach Club offers a relaxing and casual elegance experience.

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One&Only SpaThe One&Only Spa offers a truly unique holistic wellness experience and outdoor treatment rooms under the trees.

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Kids' ClubThe KidsOnly Club brings Mandarina's wonders to life, with tree houses, an insect cabin, game room, nursery, sandpit, and outdoor amphitheater.

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One&Only Private HomesThe villas are located in an exquisite private location in close proximity to the One&Only Mandarina.

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The FarmLocated in the Flatlands, The Farm offers locally grown produce and a country-at-your-table restaurant.

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The OutpostThe adventures begin at The Outpost, the place to enjoy the day exploring the trails and the Mandarina jungle.

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Mandarina Polo & Equestrian ClubThe Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club beautifies the Flatlands, offering an exceptional venue for lovers of an equine lifestyle.

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EstuaryThe Mandarina estuary houses a rich biodiversity and an exceptional bird observatory.

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