BEN F. MORRIS III
A Biography
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When Ben F. Morris III completed Casa Big Sur in Escaleras de Dominical, he succeeded while many contractors were failing. Morris invested his capital, talent, experience and dreams in a monumental luxury home which is so magnificent words do not adequately capture its beauty and views.
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Casa Big Sur represents the culmination of Morris’s professional efforts as a Landscape Architect, contractor and developer. Born in San Diego, California, Morris enjoyed the Southern California outdoor life of surfing and fishing. He earned a degree in 2000 in Landscape Architecture at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). After working for several Landscape Architecture firms and Design Build companies, he wanted a change.
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“We decided to explore Costa Rica. We ventured further south, and the fauna became greener and more tropical,” says Morris. “When we arrived in the Southern Pacific Zone, we realized it was the ‘cream of the crop,’ a true paradise.” Morris, Hayden and Geoff Nolan invested in properties in Uvita, where they built Tierra Verde (www.tierraverdeuvita.com), and three lots in Big Sur, Escaleras de Dominical, where just completed their first masterpiece Casa Big Sur (www.bigsurcostarica.com).
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Morris immersed himself in Costa Rican life, polished his Spanish language skills, hired crews, learned the local business procedures, adapted to a more relaxed pace, surfed the local breaks, made friends. He fell in love with a Tica, Sidia, and married her and adopted a daughter, becoming more part of the local scene. During the last few years, he has built excellent relationships with ticos and the many ex pats which occupy Costa Rica.
Morris’ willingness to stay here long-term has paid off in his success as a developer.
Morris’ experience with Tierra Pacifica and Tierra Verde Uvita gave him confidence to start construction on Casa Big Sur in April 2008. The project took 1.5 years to complete, with the help of a new partner, Geoff Nolan, of Atlanta, Georgia.
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“We bought the lot in Big Sur with the idea of building our own dream home for the three partners,” Morris says. “But we saw how special this location was with its rare, unobstructed view of the Escaleras mountain and sixty miles of coastline thus creating one of the best views in the Southern Pacific Zone and the entire country for that matter. The climate at 1,100 feet elevation has breezes and is cooler than the beach, so air conditioning isn’t needed most of the year.
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“We realized that we had one shot to build something special, something that would keep people talking for years to come. There was an opportunity here to construct something more suitable for the view and the jungle – a very high-quality, Bali-style residence for a discerning buyer,” Morris says. “My goal was to create a special place which evoked a certain lasting emotion, a place for a family to enjoy life while living in harmony with nature.”
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When the economic crisis hit, many builders cut back on their designs or stopped construction altogether. Instead of taking the easy road, Morris intensified his focus on Casa Big Sur by upgrading design and tripling the budget. The finished result is a $2.75-million residence, suitable for a family, friends and even a corporate retreat. Morris believes that Casa Big Sur is comparable to a $15 to $20 million residence in a Southern California beach city. Casa Big Sur is also offered under a fractional ownership structure, meaning several buyers each own a share for part-time use.
“Costa Rica is my home, and I intend to stay and build more projects of this type. We have the plans and permits to build another high-end Big Sur home in 2010,” Morris says.
Morris believes that Costa Rica – especially the Southern Pacific Zone – offers unique opportunities for a better life than exists in the USA. “But it’s not for everybody, and that’s the way we like it,” he says.
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“The key to relocating to Costa Rica today is making the required adjustments and appreciating what the country has to offer,” Morris says. “Take the time to get acquainted with the community – it is enriched with great people. The produce is fresher here, the fish and shrimp come in right off the boat and you can live a healthier life and feel better. The pace is slower, and the ‘manana’ attitude is a reality. Even surfing is more relaxed here.”
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Many dreams of home building are destroyed because of failure to understand that construction is a difficult process, he says. “Builders need to push to get their projects completed, cost estimates are usually too low, and many gringos are disappointment that things take longer are over budget” Morris says.
“Realtors sell lots as a dream, but the reality of building is tough. A safer investment is to buy a house already built by a team you can trust who did it right the first time.”
Soon Ben F. Morris III will have another house ready for a buyer to live the dream – without the hassle of building his own home.
Contact Ben F. Morris III: 506-8336-1005,
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