CABRERA, Dominican Republic.- No matter the status of worldwide economics, those who have the money to spend will always want a little luxurious slice of Caribbean style rest and relaxation. If you build it -- and build it right -- “they” will indeed come. The remaining questions are: Which tropical location will a developer choose to erect the latest five-star hot spot? And, Which local community or natural resource is likely to pay the price?

In the case of the Cristal Beach Project, an up and coming “CondoTel” community, the answer to the first question is: The pristine sands of Playa Caleton, aka “Cristal Beach,” in the town of Cabrera on the Dominican Republic’s heralded North Coast. The second answer refreshingly seems to be: None.

Lawrence Citarelli Jr., of Lawrence III Corporation, Citron Holdings, LLC. & First Hampton International Realty appears to be the right developer in the right place at the right time. He has plenty of money, a real passion for this island, and a conspicuously deep care for the community he invests in.

“Every one of our proprietary projects provides for a certain portion of the ROI (return on investment) to go directly back to the less fortunate children of the community we are doing business in,” says Citarelli, who, since first coming to the Dominican Republic in 2007, has sponsored over two dozen children to get them off of the streets and into school, earning him a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the Dominican government. He has also pledged the land purchase, design and construction of a new, state of the art school for the community of Cabrera.

“We’re pioneers here, and that’s good,” says Citarelli, pointing to the recent Robb Report, which dubbed Dominican Republic the “next and most sought after destination.” Not that DR development is anything new, eastern Punta Cana could realistically be called an all-inclusive province at this point, but the Cabrera project has many pleasant surprises that Citarelli hopes will set examples for other future developers.

Green building is one of them. Citarelli practices sustainability by incorporating alternative energy sources, water conservation techniques, ground material recycling, and unit sparsity into all of his designs.

But let’s get to the goodies.

Members of the Cristal Beach Resort community are promised to be awash with amenities -- outside of the natural offerings of crystal clear waters and tropical greenery. All the traditional Caribbean resort expectations are included on a grand scale: a double-decker infinity pool that flows into the expansive ocean view, a natural stone staircase leading to pure, secluded powder, a full service spa, an international restaurant boasting French, Italian, Caribbean and traditional Dominican fares, and not to mention close proximity to the Playa Grande Golf Course, referenced as "The Pebble Beach of the Caribbean" by Golf Digest.

To sweeten the deal, as residents enjoy the five-star conveniences, they also share in its profits year round. Hotel operations, boutique sales and restaurant earnings all generate shared income.

Citarelli hopes that his high expectations are enough to set him apart from the development pack, “I do not just need to exceed everyone’s expectations, I need to exceed mine. As an owner myself, I have insisted on many components that make this very different from other resort projects.”

The all-star team of business partners he’s built around himself helps and includes two, two-time Super Bowl champions of the New York Giants fame, Leonard Marshall and Phillippi Sparks -- Sparks also the father of American Idol champion, Jordin Sparks -- and a cast of intense, fun-loving experts in art direction, architecture, construction, conservation, and business management.

With current expanding real estate businesses in the U.S.A. as well, The New York Times suggested in November of 2008 that, “A tumbling real estate market somehow signals the best of times for Lawrence Citarelli Jr.” Hopefully, this latest project on the Dominican North Coast will continue in that charmed vein.

The CondoTel groundbreaking is slated to commence once 28 of the 60 units have been reserved, though Citarelli says that they’ll go vertical no later than December of 2010. “The project is fully funded,” assures Citarelli, going on to say, “The structure of this project affords security of principal, guarantee of performance, titled ownership of one’s piece of paradise via world recognized Fidelity Title, income generation... along with the rare attributes of environmental, humanitarian and social responsibility.”

The 2 and 3 bedroom units range from 1827 square feet to 3191 square feet, with initial condo prices ranging from $324,000 to $1,170,000, fully furnished. For more information, visit: www.cristalbeachresort.com.