[Steve Lapper]

Textron withdrawal from Golf Construction anyone?

[Brian Phillips]

Brian:

You haven't ever met Donald Trump, have you?

If Martin Hawtree is building something Mr. Trump feels isn't right, he'll be fired like any other Apprentice.

Tom,

No but I do know Martin and I do 'think' he would rather be fired or walk than design something he doesn't think is his design.

[Brian Phillips]

The Nicklaus course at Ury is still on track for a construction start this year.

This Year ?

Meaning its started , or starting tomorrow , or next year ?

Brian , is this a Nicklaus/Niblick co-design or ?

It will be starting in 2009. 

It is a pure Jack Nicklaus Signature design with Team Niblick Ltd heading the construction.

[Rich Goodale]

Jim and Henry

If Trump wants to have the course(s) he has to build the hotel to draw the players to the course, and the hotel has to have the course(s) to bring the punters in.  It's a symbiotic relationship.  Of course, if the economy really tanks, all bets are off, but even in that case I'd have a flutter on the project going through in that the government will see the investment as Keynesian pump-priming and support it, maybe even financially.  There is a lot of recent Scottish history behind that theory.

Rich

[Brian_Ewen]

Anyone want to bet the first thing he will shirk out of will be the 225-pupil primary school, shops, 98 low-cost houses and 50 starter homes ?

[Sean_A]

Anyone want to bet the first thing he will shirk out of will be the 225-pupil primary school, shops, 98 low-cost houses and 50 starter homes ?

Brian

I wouldn't bet you a red cent because the Scottish government is in for a penny in for a pound where this deal is concerned.  This entire project has been a shameful scam from the get go.  Anybody who believes a golf course and hotel is going to be the saving grace of Aberdeen is deluded. 

Ciao

[Brian_Ewen]

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1007824?UserKey=

Lewis project potential for Trump
Credit crunch has ‘slashed costs for £1bn golf project and opened up new opportunities’
By Calum Ross
The cost of Donald Trump’s planned £1billion golf resort in Aberdeenshire has been slashed by the plummeting value of the pound.

The US tycoon’s right-hand-man, George Sorial, predicts that about $500,000 (£243,000) will be wiped off construction costs as the pound continues to slide against the dollar.

And he said the credit crunch has thrown up a number of opportunities for major new projects in the UK and across the world – potentially including Lewis. Mr Trump’s aide said Scots would be left in “no doubt” about the billionaire’s plans for the country by the end of next year.

He said that when the Menie Estate project got under way, £1 was worth about $2. Yesterday, the sinking pound was worth $1.40.

“Two years ago you couldn’t find contractors to do the work. Now for the work we’re doing we have had 10 different offers.”

Plans for Balmedie were rejected by councillors in Aberdeenshire last year, before being called in and approved by the Scottish Government.

Mr Sorial said there had been “overwhelming” interest in membership at the golf course, and in the homes which will be built as the last section of the development.

He added that the current economic climate provided the company with a number of opportunities for further investment around the world – including Scotland.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we made some announcements in 2009 all over the world,” the New York-based lawyer said. “When we have a market like today, there’s a lot of opportunity for a developer with cash.

“This time next year, there will be no doubt about our intentions for Scotland.”

He would not reveal plans, but said the organisation had “not ruled out” a development on Lewis – the birthplace of Mr Trump’s mother.

He said regular talks had been held with councillors in the Western Isles over potential projects on Lewis.

“It’s a place we’re fond of for obvious reasons. We’re evaluating a number of opportunities,” he added.

[Jon Wiggett]

With the project budget supposedly being $1b sure the falling value of the pound would save Donald in excess of $250m. This leaves quite a bit left over for a small off shore project. 

[Niall C]

Jon,

I'll think you'll find that the £1 billion (not the $1 billion figure you quoted although the way the exchange rate is going it might not make any difference ) is one of those figures that cost consultants/accountants come up with to show how much money a development will bring into the economy. What you'll find is that the actual costs of the development will be considerably less.

Aberdeen, being so dependant on oil, has traditionally had its own micro economy and therefore up until the recent slump in oil prices was doing better than the rest of the UK. Now I think Trump will struggle to find buyers for all his homes/condos never mind any difficulty he may find in getting funding. That said, planning permission lasts for 5 years so we could yet see Truptown going ahead.

On the architect side I seem to remember Fazio Jnr (I think, apologies if not) being introduced as the proposed architect and being interviewed on television standing on site, and saying wehat a wonderful natural property it was and all that was really needed was top put in the irrigation system and cart paths ! 

Hopefully Martin Hawtree will have better luck in dealing with the Donald.

Niall

[David_Tepper]

Niall C. -

Your memory is correct. Fazio Jr. was initially announced by Trump as the GCA who would design the course(s) for this project. At some point, he was replaced by Hawtree.

DT 

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