Co Authored by Heidi Wosak & Playa Miramar Homeowner Al Schwartz

 

This is the first article in a series about getting to know the beachfront neighborhoods of Puerto Peñasco in more detail. The miles of beaches hold little known secrets that few venture out to discover. We start first at the eastern edge of Puerto Peñasco with the community of Playa Miramar.  The history and commentary from an actual homeowner, who has been there from the beginning, should help the reader understand why this community is truly a hidden treasure.

 

The beach community of Playa Miramar sits some 22 miles south and east from the town of Puerto Peñasco proper, but is worlds away in almost every aspect.  The desert beach is a wide, white sand expanse, unbroken for miles in either direction.  The terrain to the sea is a gentle slope that allows for easy wading as well as swimming and, at the time, camping.  Homeowner Al Schwartz still boasts that “spending time at Miramar is one of THE great ways to spend a weekend!”

 

The land now known as Playa Miramar was owned by an Ejido, or farming commune, that began leasing beachfront lots in early 1990.  Since Al was more than passing familiar with the place, his family decided to take a chance and buy a lease.  Al goes on to share his thoughts, “Of course, the idea of building a beach home was just a distant dream in 1991 when we got our lot.  First, because we were not exactly sure of the rules governing home ownership on leased land, and second because the property was off the power grid.  In fact it was nearly 20 miles to the nearest utilities of any kind.  So began the odyssey for answers to our questions.”

 

Al shares his experience here with us about building and living in Playa Miramar. “In 1997, after much investigation of both the legalities of building in Mexico and the various ways and means of providing utilities to a home on the beach, I was ready to commit to building.  My research yielded a few new wrinkles to the building game as it was practiced on Miramar back then.  First, I opted for a new type of construction.  Instead of the usual concrete and concrete block construction, I chose Fanosa Panel; a product that is made in Mexico and one which my local architect was very familiar with, since he was a distributor.  Fanosa panel is a composed of a steel web truss, sandwiched between two mats of steel mesh and the voids are filled with polystyrene foam.  The panels can be made in any length and any thickness. The panels are erected and clamped together, then stuccoed.  This method of construction not only gave my new home a ‘fast track’ in construction, the finished product rendered R-34 walls and an R-54 ceiling.  Adding custom made Argon gas filled thermal windows gives the house an outstanding insulation factor, which is great for both heating and cooling. With the advent of better solar electric systems, getting the house powered up was a lot easier than I thought it would be.  The system, which incorporates solar panels, an inverter (to convert the DC to AC) and battery bank was complimented by a 12 KW, L.P. gas-fired Onan generator for those times when the Sun’s rays and the storage batteries didn’t suffice.  Together the system provides all the energy you could need.  Since the house has every amenity any house stateside could want, including satellite TV and internet as well as central heating and air-conditioning, the system has done a terrific job.  If you weren’t aware of what was powering your hair dryers and trash compactor, you’d never know that you were off the power grid.  Add in a 2,500 gallon water cistern (water is delivered via truck on demand) and a septic system, a 1,000 Liter L.P. gas tank (also delivered on demand) and the entire house is self-sufficient. Beachside living at Miramar is nothing short of spectacular.  I know that it sounds like hyperbole, but take this into account; I live next to some of my dearest friends.  These are people, like me, who walk the road a little less traveled.  The beach has its own rules of etiquette, which lend an even more familial atmosphere.  You never know when someone will stop by for a chat, or a drink or when you will do the same while walking along the beach.  Almost without exception, everyone that lives at Miramar is mellow…and has beer or Margaritas at the ready!  While there are always those who chose to dramatize (even Eden had its snake after all), the prevailing attitude among my friends and neighbors at Miramar is: “If you’re Lucky Enough to be at the Beach…You’re Lucky Enough!”  Al’s dedication to building with the highest quality materials and for full time living conditions makes his home one of the prized beachfront estates in Playa Miramar.

 

Since completing his home in 1997, several interesting things have happened, most notably that their leases have been converted to bank trusts (giving us full legal rights of ownership, and even title insurance) the Mayan Place Resort has been constructed immediately adjacent to the community and Puerto Peñasco has been ‘discovered.’  With all that, their HOA (El Pueblito de Playa Miramar, A.C.) has begun the process for getting the neighborhood on the electric power grid for the owners who want that, as well as discussing the possibility of putting in water mains to do away with the trucked water. 

Al and his neighbors share a feeling that, “one of the best things about Miramar was its isolation.  Little Playa Miramar is growing up…and fast!” 

 

Al is selling his home to move along in his life and offers this advice to anyone who is considering Playa Miramar as their next beachfront vacation neighborhood, “The beach is still white.  The water is still blue.  The people are still friendly, and the beer is still cold.  Thankfully, some things don’t change.”  That is the Spirit Al!

 

Within the past year the lots that are on the north side of the beachfront community of Playa Miramar have received titles. There are 3 tiers of lots to choose from.  

 

Currently there is no “popcorn trail” or signs for that matter leading the way to Playa Miramar so, if you would like to see this community first hand, here is the secret to getting there:  Head Southeast on Fremont Blvd, pass Playa Encanto and keep heading South at the “Y”. A few miles past you will come upon double arches, take a right here!  Go down this road until it basically ends and turns to the left.  Keep driving East past the condominium towers of Luna Blanca to the entrance of Playa Miramar. There is a guard gate for the Mayan Palace, take a right here and you are now entering into one of the rare gems of Puerto Peñasco- Playa Miramar. Welcome and drive slowly, wave to the neighbors and respect the peace of this community.

 

For more information about Playa Miramar contact heidiwosak@century21penasco.com