Cambodian-French luxury villa development joint-venture Forest Harmony Co Ltd on Saturday announced the soft launch of the second phase of a development project in southwestern Kampot province which comprises a golf course and a condominium.

The new phase has been named “Golf Harmony” and follows the successful launch of the project’s first phase – named “Forest Harmony” – in December, the developer said.

The $18 million first phase broke ground early in December on a 13ha plot in Prey Thnang commune’s Phary village in the province’s Teuk Chhou district, some 18km from Kampot town.

It comprises 78 villas, of which more than 60 per cent have been sold, according to the developer.

The second phase will cover 27.3ha and will include nine golf courses and four five-storey condominium buildings, the developer said. Construction is expected to be completed in two years.

Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association president and local shareholder of the project Chrek Soknim said the concepts of second homes and leisure developments are gaining momentum in the Kingdom.

He pointed out that developers who are looking to invest in holiday and leisure home properties generally focus on villas located in coastal areas, hills and mountainsides.

He highlighted Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong and Kep provinces as new target locations for developers eager for a slice of the holiday home market.

“The living standards of Cambodians are improving, and they are starting to eye properties specifically for retirement, leisure and relaxation,” he added.

Seraj Sutton, chief operating officer of Century 21 Cambodia, who has been appointed Forest Harmony exclusive sales agent, said development of the second phase will add lifestyle opportunities for first-phase villa owners and add more colour to the province where the tourism, real estate and investment landscape is rapidly evolving.

He said: “Kampot is now a vibrant destination for tourism and business with a wide range of food and entertainment options.

“We’re bringing in the Western design concept of holiday villa homes to Kampot and we aim to attract more upscale holidaymakers to spend time in Cambodia for holiday and weekends.”

Four-bedroom villas at the Gold Harmony are an average of 1,200sqm in size, with prices in the $361,000-409,000 range and include an individual swimming pool, the developer said.