Diana Lynch Opening DR’s First Black-Owned Golf Resort

Renowned attorney Diana Lynch has made history as the owner of the first Black-owned golf resort in the Dominican Republic.

As the founding member of Atlanta’s award-winning Lynch Law Group, Lynch established herself as an elite legal defender representing the best of the best in sports and entertainment. Now, the retired attorney is expanding her professional portfolio to develop a premiere Black-owned golf resort and spa in DR’s Samaná Bay.

Alma de Samaná Golf & Residences, an ambitious $582-million project, is expected to take 15 to 20 years to finish, though the resort will see some sections open. The project will span 2,000 acres and comprise a blend of commercial and residential real estate, showcasing more than 1,400 upscale villas and condominiums along the northern coastline of the Dominican Republic, known for its uninhabited white beaches and mountainous landscape.

The history-making golf resort “is designed to empower, inspire and aspire to unite the world and recognize what it is like to be human again – in a place rich in heritage and untapped beauty where humanity is the destination,” Lynch told Hotel Investment Today.

Amenities will include an 18-hole golf course, a direct-access beach, professional sports training facilities, a rehabilitation center, and a medical campus. Phase one is underway to develop the AKEN Soul Experience at Las Terrenas Residences in collaboration with the Miami-based white-label hospitality firm AMEK Group. The developers are set to unveil 42 eco-luxury residences across seven buildings after breaking ground on the project last August for a launch date later this year.

Owners of the lavish units are expected to spend at least $459,000, making the development an easy return on investment for project financiers. There will be a choice between five property types including 2-3 bedroom garden villas and tree-top villas with pristine views of the Atlantic Ocean.

“I think that our market is generally those individuals who are looking for long-term legacy build,” Lynch said. “Real estate historically has been a safe bet, especially in this kind of market, where the stock market can be so up and down. So, for those investors who are looking to really capitalize on where they can place their money and still get a return, this is it.”

It’s a symbolic nod to the Dominican Republic’s history as the property sits on land that was once inhabited by African slaves. With Lynch serving as the first Black owner of a luxury golf resort and spa in the country, Alma de Samaná’s development highlights the growth of Black purchasing power across the globe.

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