Brian Dobbin, founder of Citizens International, also established Elmsbridge Property International alongside his wife, Kaline. Together, they have built a multi-award- winning luxury home development company, offering bespoke residences, property management and rental solutions, creating homes from concept to completion. Their two flagship developments in Antigua, The Beach Houses and The Gardens, provide buyers with the opportunity to own a luxury retreat in this island paradise, along with the option to apply for citizenship to Antigua & Barbuda. The Citizen spoke to Brian to learn more about these exceptional developments.
Could you tell us a bit about the founding of Elmsbridge? What was the original vision, and how has it evolved over the years?
Elmsbridge was created following our relocation to Antigua after we sold our previous international development and sales company on the London public markets in 2007. Our vision was to develop a specific, larger-scale project here.
Antigua is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but what else about the island drew you to develop here?
The ease of air travel, a stable government, close cultural ties to other Western nations, and, most importantly, having the Privy Council as the court of last resort shaped our decision to relocate here.
The Caribbean can be competitive in terms of luxury real estate. What do you believe Antigua offers that’s distinct from other islands in the region?
Antigua has all the essential things – a beautiful environment, a stable and pro-active government, less crime relative to the other islands, a mix of international residents already on the island, and direct flights from key North American and European cities. The fact that it has a CIP programme really sealed the deal.
What inspired the development of The Beach Houses and The Gardens? How do these projects reflect your vision for high-end living in Antigua?
We undertook these projects while working on launching larger-scaled developments on the island, which are now coming to market in the coming year. Both of these current projects represent our development ethos of creating properties where one does not have to leave to have a wonderful experience. From the development plan to construction finishes, furnishings and landscaping, we seek to build individual retreats where families and friend groups can have the best times of their lives.
Can you tell us about the recent nomination of The Gardens as the Best Residential Development in the Americas?
The Gardens was selected as the top residential project in Antigua by the London-based International Property Awards and is now up for the same award for the Americas region. We have won previous development awards for the Americas and in the overall international category. The highlight has been winning the gold medal for Best International Development on two occasions for our Humber Valley Resort project in Canada, chosen from hundreds of nominations worldwide.
How have you approached sustainability in these developments?
We have integrated solar power into both projects at the choice of the client/owner, and we rely on large cisterns with municipal water supply as a backup. When designing a villa, we consider the prevailing winds to maximise natural cooling. One of our larger upcoming projects is planned to be completely off-grid.
Community seems to be a growing priority in luxury developments. How are you fostering a sense of community in these projects?
Community has always been at the heart of our projects, and we have spent over 20 years honing our Homeowner Association Agreements to support our developments. Having clear, transparent and fair rules is critical to fostering good communities. Once 50 percent of the properties are sold in one of our developments, the Homeowner’s Association takes over the operation of the community.
For those considering Antigua as a second home, what are the island’s biggest draws in terms of lifestyle and opportunities?
The island’s timeless attractions such as its weather, beaches and rich culture, remain very important to our clientele. However, the CIP programme has added a significant incentive, offering not only a physical presence but also a legal foothold on the island. This has spurred a lot of people to come to Antigua. This influx then in itself becomes the biggest draw, as the gravity of like-minded and affluent individuals from around the world attracts more and more like-minded and affluent people.
What would you say to anyone considering investing in real estate to gain citizenship by investment in Antigua?
Move quickly, as the costs and timing to secure an Antiguan property will never be as favourable as they are now.
What does the future hold for Elmsbridge beyond The Beach Houses and The Gardens? Are there any upcoming projects or expansions in the pipeline?
We have several projects of scale in pre- development preparation both in Antigua and elsewhere. I look forward to speaking about the new projects when they are ready.
Would you like to highlight anything else?
All I can say is that after selling our development business and cutting ties in North America and Europe 16 years ago, we could have moved just about anywhere for business and/or pleasure, and we chose to relocate to Antigua.
