Ron Hatfield

Ron Hatfield | Baja Traveler

Ron Hatfield

Los Cabos Innovator And Luxury Developer

By Mayté Rodríguez Cedillo

One of Cabo’s original visionaries, Ron Hatfield has spent more than 20 years creating a lifestyle that has not only set a precedent in Mexico but has been recognized worldwide as an exemplar of the luxury residential resort lifestyle. The seaside communities of Villas Del Mar, Espiritu and Oasis Palmilla are the most exclusive in Baja, featuring the finest collection of magnificent seaside residences, world-class amenities and unrivaled residential resort services. With more than 200 luxury homes completed and occupied within their gates, some of the best views and home sites in Los Cabos remain available. Hatfield and the company he cofounded, continue to stretch the boundaries of resort home design, introducing groundbreaking new residential offerings along the ocean view hillsides of Espiritu, built on a two decade foundation of innovation and experience.

From Texas To Baja
A Houston native and graduate of Rice University, Hatfield has more than 40 years of experience in multifamily, residential and commercial developments, including Cypress Station, Northwest Crossing and Champions Village in Houston. His love affair with Baja began in 1994 when Hatfield and his business partner, Kenneth Schnitzer, jetted down to play the new Jack Nicklaus Palmilla golf course. They were blown away by the pristine oceanfront neighboring the original Palmilla Hotel, an irresistible find for the right developer. By 1995, they had purchased a stretch of beachfront and would break ground on five homes in what is now Villas Del Mar. Del Mar Development would go on to set the stage for high end residential development in Mexico acclaimed for its cutting edge resort home design and masterful construction techniques.

Building A Lifestyle
From the start, Hatfield and Schnitzer understood, it takes more than beautiful homes to create a coveted, world class destination. The Del Mar communities are renowned for their vast array of exclusive amenities, which include the Club Ninety Six beach club and the ocean view Club Espiritu fitness club, spa and sports park. Additionally, homeowners enjoy golf cart access to the neighboring One&Only Palmilla Hotel, the 27hole Palmilla Golf Course and The Shoppes at Palmilla. The developer owned and operated Del Mar Management provides carefree homeownership with unprecedented residential and resort services ranging from paying personal bills and pre-arrival home preparation, to personal chef and butler service and in-residence spa treatments.

“We didn’t come down here to start building a short-term project and go home,” Hatfield recalls. “We were emotionally involved. We wanted to make it a place to be proud of, a place to live fulltime with our families. We put real heart and soul into the community.” Sadly, Schnitzer passed away in 1999, but Hatfield remains in Los Cabos, making it his year-round home and continuing to shape the future of real estate development in Baja Sur.

Espiritu: The Next Chapter
With the first Del Mar community, Villas Del Mar, nearly complete, the legacy continues along the picturesque hillsides of the adjacent Espiritu community, where views stretch from Palmilla Bay to the city lights of San José del Cabo and the mountains beyond. From sprawling Espiritu Estates to 10,000 sq. ft. custom homes, Del Mar Development continues to break new ground, showcasing a transitional style of architecture that blends traditional Mexican elements with contemporary beauty and simplicity.

Hatfield recently unveiled Del Mar Development’s latest residential offering which marks a first of its kind in the community, The Ledges at Espiritu, presented in partnership with MSD Capital, the investment firm founded to exclusively manage the capital of Michael Dell and his family. Named for its dramatic perch above Palmilla Bay, The Ledges is a collection of Residences and Penthouses featuring a sophisticated, yet casual contemporary design and spacious outdoor living areas, including rooftop terraces atop the Penthouses with private infinity edged pools and sweeping ocean views. Residence buildings feature resort pools and designated shaded cabanas for each residence with poolside concierge service.

“With The Ledges, we really wanted to offer something new and different, from the architectural design to the services and amenities; offerings that were inspired by our homeowners and from listening to what they were asking for over the last two decades,” Hatfield added.

When asked by BajaTraveler® what he thinks has attributed to the success of Del Mar Development, Hatfield replied, “We set out to build a world-class residential community, and we didn’t spare any expense in the planning and development. It’s been the passion and dedication of not only the development company but all of the employees who have worked together to contribute to our success. It has been the highlight of my life and a true labor of love.”

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