IN THE PRESS · JAMESEDITION
What Did JamesEdition Publish About Puerto Vallarta?
On October 13, 2026, JamesEdition, the international marketplace and journal for luxury real estate, published "Investing in Puerto Vallarta's Trophy Penthouses and Hillside Homes" by Sandie Braeckman. The article presents Puerto Vallarta as an established, dollar-denominated market for international buyers and features four residences represented by Coldwell Banker La Costa: two two-story penthouses at Grand Venetian, a thirteenth-floor residence at MAYĀMAR in Amapas, and the largest floor plan at Velōa in the Zona Romántica.
Quotable summary: JamesEdition's October 2026 feature names three ways serious buyers are entering Puerto Vallarta today: a finished trophy penthouse on the bay, a completed new build on the hillside, and an early position in the most walkable neighborhood in town. All four featured homes are represented by Coldwell Banker La Costa.
Which Puerto Vallarta Residences Are Featured?
The feature groups its four homes around the three neighborhoods where, in its words, the most compelling inventory is concentrated today.
Grand Venetian Tower 2000: two two-story penthouses on Banderas Bay
Two mirror-image penthouses occupy the top two floors of Grand Venetian Tower 2000, with wraparound terraces facing Banderas Bay, the Sierra Madre and the city. Both are offered fully furnished and are already connected by an interior door on the lower level, so a buyer can acquire one or combine both into a single bayfront residence, subject to applicable approvals. View the listings: Grand Venetian PH1-03 and Grand Venetian PH1-02.
MAYĀMAR, Amapas: Residence 1302
On the hillside of Amapas, Residence 1302 sits on the thirteenth floor of the south tower at MAYĀMAR, the two-tower development by Grupo Solcon. JamesEdition describes it as the largest floor plan for sale in the tower, with a west-facing terrace over the bay and Old Town. Explore MAYĀMAR.
Velōa, Zona Romántica: Residence 1002
In the Zona Romántica, Residence 1002 at Velōa is the development's largest floor plan, larger than any of its four penthouses according to the article, with a rooftop infinity pool in a building a short walk from Los Muertos Beach and the Malecón. Explore Velōa Residences.
What Does the Article Say About Buying in Puerto Vallarta?
Beyond the homes themselves, the feature gives international buyers a clear picture of how the market works. The points it highlights:
- Ownership: foreign buyers hold title through a fideicomiso, a renewable 50-year bank trust in use since the 1970s. Our guide to buying in Mexico's restricted zone explains how it works.
- Closing costs: typically 4% to 7% of the price, and lower as a percentage on higher-priced homes because many fees are fixed. The article cites Coldwell Banker La Costa's figure of just over 3.3% on a $1.5 million closing this summer. See what buyers really pay at closing.
- Pre-construction pricing: new towers such as MAYĀMAR and Velōa are usually sold on tiered payment plans, with the largest discount for buyers who fund about 80% up front, which is why published prices can differ from developer list prices.
- Value: the article notes that top-tier pricing in Puerto Vallarta remains below comparable oceanfront product in Los Cabos and the Riviera Maya.
Who Represents These Homes?
All four residences are represented by Hannah López and Tom Gordon of Coldwell Banker La Costa. JamesEdition describes them as the number one Coldwell Banker team in Mexico for 2025, members of the International President's Elite, and among the top 2% of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide. Both live in Puerto Vallarta full time and, as the article notes, have opened a sales office on site at Velōa.
Coldwell Banker La Costa was founded in 1986 and has been the number one Coldwell Banker office in Mexico since 2021. Our luxury listings are distributed internationally through channels that include JamesEdition and Coldwell Banker Global Luxury®.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I read the JamesEdition article?
The full feature, "Investing in Puerto Vallarta's Trophy Penthouses and Hillside Homes," is published in The Journal on JamesEdition.com, dated October 13, 2026.
Which properties does JamesEdition feature?
Two two-story penthouses at Grand Venetian Tower 2000, Residence 1302 at MAYĀMAR in Amapas, and Residence 1002 at Velōa in the Zona Romántica, all represented by Coldwell Banker La Costa.
Can the two Grand Venetian penthouses be bought together?
Yes. According to the article, both penthouses are offered by the same owner and are already connected by an interior door on the lower level, so they can be bought individually or combined, subject to applicable approvals.
How do foreigners own property in Puerto Vallarta?
Through a fideicomiso, a renewable 50-year bank trust that gives the buyer full rights to occupy, rent, improve, sell and pass on the property.
Who are the listing agents?
Hannah López and Tom Gordon of Coldwell Banker La Costa. You can reach them through their profile on cblacosta.com or by contacting any of our three offices.
Interested in one of the featured residences? Request the Details Browse New Construction
Property details, availability and pricing are summarized from the JamesEdition article and current listings and are subject to change; confirm all details with the listing agents. This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Coldwell Banker La Costa, founded in 1986, has been the number one Coldwell Banker office in Mexico since 2021, with more than 40 AMPI-certified agents across three offices on Banderas Bay. Equal housing opportunity. Each office is independently owned and operated.