Page 92 - Port Douglas Magazine 30

LUCAS VISION:

20 YEARS IN THE MAKING

Words by HOWARD SALKOW

Image: Kate Hewitt Landscape Design
he traditional cue to a film crew at the beginning of a take may purchased the land in 2000 and are in the process of transforming
refer to: Lights … Camera … Action … and as cinematography the seven-acre site into a beachfront enclave offering exclusive
and television have captured our imagination over many features in a pristine and secluded environment.
Tyears, it’s never been questioned where these three sharply Although they have been ‘sitting’ on the land for 19 years, David
directed words can be heard. believes this investment and development – the name of the property
In 1998 and 2003 respectively, the producers and directors of epic has since been changed to The Beach Residences – is appropriately
war film Thin Red Line and the children’s TV series Pirate Islands, justified and suitably timed.
discovered that a remote, rustic and an off-the-beaten track of land His decision to embark on the project is his strong affiliation with Port
in Port Douglas would be the ideal location for some of their shoots. Douglas, which has never wavered since celebrating his honeymoon
The actors and camera crews have long moved on, to be replaced by in the port in 1996, and when he bought Villa Hemingway. Located
construction equipment which is turning this seven-acre, small, dirt on 1 Island Point Road, this magnificent mansion with breathtaking
road off Mitre Street – it sits adjacent to Pullman Sea Temple Resort uninterrupted sea and coastal views, is currently on the market for
and Spa and is a low iron onto the fourth fairway at Palmer Sea Reef $10.8 million.
Golf Course – into a dream ocean-front location. It has long been David and Jane like to recall they had no real plans to buy on their
known to the locals as Mango Beach. honeymoon, but after spending the better part of their time in a local
The key players now in this projected Port Douglas ‘developmental realtor’s car, they bought Villa Hemingway on the Friday before they
blockbuster’ are property developers David and Jane Lucas, who flew home.

92 tourismportdouglas.com.au