Las Cárcavas – Chacras del Mar

Las Cárcavas occupies 51 hectares of an unrepeatable landscape: the erosion formations that give it its name, forests, lagoons and the open sea, within the Laguna Garzón UNESCO biosphere. Half of the property was set aside as an ecological reserve, and on the other half Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld designed a project of 24 country estates of about 9.000 m² and 16 bungalows of 216 m² delivered turnkey, fully equipped. Communal life revolves around the pool, the beach deck, the polo field, the grass tennis court and a fine-dining restaurant, with housekeeping and concierge on demand. It's the perfect synthesis of ranch life and sea: sustainable, intimate and of an exceptional level of design.

Las Cárcavas occupies 51 hectares of an unrepeatable landscape within the Laguna Garzón UNESCO biosphere: the erosion formations that give it its name, forests, lagoons and open sea. Half of the property was set aside forever as an ecological reserve, and on the other half Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld —one of the region's great contemporary masters— designed 24 country estates of about 9.000 m² and 16 bungalows of 216 m² delivered turnkey, fully equipped. The design premise is dissolution: minimalist lines and natural materials so that each house disappears into the setting, letting the ocean and the pines speak. The result is a silent, timeless architecture of understated elegance.

The development is fifteen minutes from José Ignacio, wrapped in ocean, forest and stillness, with easy access by car, private jet or helicopter. At its heart beats Laguna Garzón, where ocean tides and fresh water meet in an ecosystem that shelters migratory birds, native flora and dunes shaped by centuries of wind. Belonging to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve isn't a slogan but a guarantee: the landscape of ravines, lagoons and endless sky will remain intact for generations to come. The safety of the surroundings adds another argument — Uruguay among the safest countries in the world, and a gated community within it — for those seeking total disconnection without any feeling of isolation.

Communal life has a deliberate nod to estancia living: a polo field, a professional-grade natural-grass tennis court, a pool, a beach deck over the sea and a barbecue area. The in-house restaurant serves fresh, local ingredients — many from the development's own organic garden — with an uninterrupted ocean view, and also serves as a venue for weddings and seaside celebrations, an activity that made the place internationally known. Housekeeping and concierge services operate on demand, on a pay-per-use basis, so each owner sets how much assistance they want. For the international buyer, the purchase process is designed to be clear and secure, with an experienced developer backing every stage.

• Architecture by Isay Weinfeld, one of the great contemporary Brazilian masters
• Half of the property is untouched ecological reserve within the Laguna Garzón UNESCO biosphere
• Beachfront bungalows delivered turnkey, fully furnished
• Polo field and grass tennis court, a nod to estancia life
• 50% of the area is preserved as an ecological reserve within the UNESCO Biosphere
• The development opened a fine-dining restaurant (project renovation)