Rising from the beach are hillsides, that quickly form steep mountains, which offer unparalleled views for miles around. These are the vistas that first caught the eye of friends and fellow visionaries Ron Hatfield and Ken Schnitzer. They bought a small, but ideal, piece of land and built their very first homes here. The rest has been equally magical, with only a few hundred homes ever able to call this place home.
Hugging the shores at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, Los Cabos is a place where natural beauty meets unparalleled luxury.
Palmilla has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1956. Today, our luxury properties and communities in the area are the epitome of luxury living amidst the natural charms of the Baja California Peninsula.
Learn more about our heritage and enduring legacy. Be part of our story. Explore our Cabo luxury real estate offerings and contact us today.
Early Beginnings
Los Cabos has been a tourist hotspot since its declaration as a holiday destination in the 1970s when Mexico decided to build the infrastructure to make it a vacation destination. However, its story goes back much further.
Accessible only by yacht or helicopter, the first luxury resort in Los Cabos was created by Don Abelardo Rodriguez, son of the Mexican president, and his wife, Hollywood star Lucille Bremer. In 1956, the Palmilla Hotel opened with only 15 rooms. Despite its modest size, the hotel marked the beginning of tourism in the region. Their vision laid the foundation for the region’s reputation as a secluded and exclusive retreat, where the world’s elite could escape in refined luxury. This timeless allure still defines Los Cabos today.
17 years later, the Transpeninsular Highway was completed, making Los Cabos more accessible to vacationers from California. With greater access came a sudden surge in tourist activity in the region.
Key Developments and Milestones
As tourism bustled in Los Cabos, the Palmilla Hotel slowly became the place to book a memorable Cabo holiday.
The hotel’s reputation and the local tourism scene prompted Don Kroll to purchase the Palmilla Hotel and the surrounding 900 acres in 1983. This was the beginning of residential development in Palmilla.
Three years later, the opening of the SJD International Airport significantly enhanced the accessibility of Palmilla and the broader Los Cabos region. Then, in 1992, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course was opened as an attraction to discerning vacationers and avid golfers.
Palmilla and Los Cabos’s momentum didn’t end there. In 1994, SJD International Airport’s private jet terminal opened.
This terminal was designed to offer Palmilla’s most affluent residents and guests a seamless and discreet arrival experience befitting the community’s refined elegance.
The Visionaries: Ken Schnitzer and Ron Hatfield
In 1995, Ken Schnitzer and Ron Hatfield visited Palmilla for a long weekend and noticed a small, scenic plot of land next to the Palmilla Hotel, with breathtaking views of the beach and steep mountains.
Inspired by the property’s potential, Schnitzer and Hatfield began the groundbreaking for the first Villas Del Mar custom residence in 1996.
Concurrently, the nearby Palmilla Hotel also expanded, with 115 rooms being added to accommodate more guests.
After a year of dedicated effort, Schnitzer and Hatfield proudly introduced Villas Del Mar’s first Casita in 1997.
The Casita was a single, private residence complete with all the modern amenities, and it was among the first luxury rental properties that established the exacting standards of living that have come to define the Del Mar communities.
Del Mar Community Development
1998 saw the founding of Del Mar Management. This new entity was tasked with overseeing the property management and community services for the Palmilla and Villas Del Mar developments.
In just two years, investment in the newly developed Palmilla luxury real estate communities became enticing for large corporations. In 2004, the prestigious One&Only brand acquired the Palmilla Hotel and undertook a $90 million refurbishment.
2005 was the year of the Club Ninety Six Beach Club’s opening. And, in that same year, a Del Mar Casita became the first home in Cabo to sell for more than $1,000 per square foot — a testament to the unparalleled quality and desirability of the community.
Palmilla community’s expansion continued in 2006 with the Oasis Palmilla land blessing. This was a significant milestone that honored the spiritual significance of the land and its stewardship.
Following the 2006 Palmilla expansion, development in the area continued to accelerate. In 2007, a partnership was formed between MSD Capital and Ron Hatfield. The partnership led to the development of the Espiritu Del Mar community, which was celebrated with a land blessing in 2008.
At the same time, Del Mar Development reached a significant milestone by breaking ground on its 200th home. The milestone was a symbol of Del Mar Development’s commitment to providing prospective homeowners with a luxury living experience.
The year 2010 saw the opening of the Club Espiritu health and fitness center. This ultramodern facility offered an unparalleled opportunity for wellness and recreation, solidifying Palmilla and Villas Del Mar’s reputation as a holistic luxury destination.
A year later, Espiritu Park was opened. It offered residents and visitors a beautifully landscaped outdoor space for leisure, relaxation, and community gatherings.
In 2012, Del Mar Development continued its steady growth by breaking ground on the Villas at La Montana.
The 2010s in Los Cabos passed in full force, and Del Mar communities continued their steady expansion and enhancement of the luxury living experience.
In 2013, as the Espiritu Estates community broke ground, Los Cabos hosted its first Ironman competition, with the event starting at the iconic Palmilla Beach.
However, despite the event’s success, Hurricane Odile struck in 2014. Luckily, Del Mar Development homeowners were unwavering in their commitment and raised over $1 million for the Hurricane Odile Employee Relief Fund.
This pivotal year also saw the creation of Del Mar Real Estate. This is our exclusive, on-site real estate brokerage that serves as a dedicated resource for our discerning clientele.
A year later, the renowned One&Only Palmilla Resort received a $150 million renovation. Complementing this impressive upgrade, the H+ Hospital was opened near the Palmilla community to provide visitors with access to state-of-the-art medical facilities.
Over the past decade, there have been several key developments and enhancements that have significantly enriched the experience for our homeowners and visitors.
In 2016, Del Mar Real Estate reached a milestone by surpassing $100 million in sales. This achievement was concurrent with the launch of the Del Mar Real Estate Channel and is designed to keep our community informed about the latest news and developments in Palmilla.
By 2017, we also broke ground on three major projects — Remanso at Palmilla, the Estates of La Montana, and Legado. The Club Ninety Six Sports Lounge, a members-only space that offers a range of modern amenities and activities, was also introduced.
The following year saw the opening of the Espiritu Sales Office. The office is a symbol of our commitment to accessibility and community engagement.
2019 was a momentous year for us at Del Mar Development. The year saw the completion of the first home in the Legado development.
The Espiritu Town Center, Organic Garden, and Café Espiritu were also opened this year, now providing a hub for community engagement and refuge.
Preparing for the Promising Future
2020 brought about significant challenges, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic, tourism in Los Cabos was stunted, and so were many local real estate developments.
Despite this, we at Del Mar remained committed to ensuring our residents' safety while developing new homesites.
Our current phase includes the creation of three new areas:
With tourism now fully revived, we are focused on expanding our offerings with new properties and modern amenities to enhance the experience for our guests.
Our developments are ongoing, with investments surpassing the $300-million mark.
However, despite the massive scope of expansion, there are countless interested parties vying for our Palmilla luxury rental properties and residences. Hence, now is the perfect time to secure your place.
Prospects, Sustainability, and Lifestyle
At Del Mar, sustainability and exclusivity are at the heart of our Cabo luxury real estate development ethos. For this reason, we’ve embarked on several projects for the sustainability of our Palmilla communities, like our desalination project.
To make our beachside communities water-independent, we’re investing in desalination plants that provide fresh water from the Sea of Cortez.
Besides this, we plan to develop more exclusive parks, a longevity clinic, sports facilities, and clubs to enhance our health and wellness offerings further.
With the partnership of Fortem Capital, our goal is to continually add amenities and properties that elevate the experience for every Palmilla guest.
Within Del Mar communities are an array of amenities that can elevate the living experiences of every resident and guest, including:
Del Mar’s Contribution to the Community
Since the mid-50s, the community of Palmilla has been carefully nurtured and skillfully developed into the exclusive and serene luxury destination we know today. Over the last 30 years, Del Mar Los Cabos has been the leader in luxury development.
Under the influence of Del Mar, increasingly luxury real estate properties have appeared and added to Los Cabos’s allure, although nothing beats the original. From Palmilla luxury villas to rental condos, there’s something for everyone looking to experience Cabo’s charm in luxury and comfort.
At Del Mar, our commitment to Cabo luxury real estate development is a story that’s decades in the making. The development of Palmilla and the Del Mar communities has been instrumental to the local area's life and vigor, creating numerous jobs in construction and hospitality.
Our efforts have enhanced local infrastructure and tourism, contributing to the economic growth of Palmilla and Los Cabos.
We've remained dedicated to preserving the region's natural beauty and heritage throughout this process. At the same time, we commit to fostering a vibrant and sustainable community.
Del Mar Los Cabos is the leader in luxury real estate development, sales, and vacation properties in the Baja California del Sur Peninsula. Our difference lies in our expertise and dedication to excellence. We have built a legacy, from sea level to mountain top, to preserve the perfection of this place we call home.