Royal Sands development, Ramsgate: Gelato 'boutique' Destefanos unveiled as first operator

Destefanos will serve Italian gelato, coffees and pastries from a premises at Royal Sands in Ramsgate, which is part way through construction.

The scheme by developer Blueberry Homes at what was the Pleasurama site has already seen its first occupants move in at the end of last year, following completion of phase one of the project.

Phase two residents are due to move in shortly.

A spokesman for Blueberry Homes says almost all of the phase three apartments have now been reserved off-plan, with phase 4 - called Harbour View - about to launch.

This will be the final stage of the apartment build before the company starts on the hotel and leisure facilities of the development.

"We have seen phenomenal progress since the initiation of the Royal Sands development in Ramsgate," the spokesman said.

"All of the phases so far have been marketed and sold off plan, and we now have many happy residents moved into phase one, with phase two residents due to take occupation soon.

"We are fortunate to have received a great deal of positive feedback from clients, enjoying their panoramic views and the lifestyle seaside living offers.

"We will be launching the fourth and final phase apartments this spring. Harbour View will consist of 33 luxury apartments, all with uninterrupted sea views, balconies, and private parking."

Blueberry Homes started work on the seafront scheme in July 2020.

The development involves the creation of 106 luxury apartments, a 60-bed hotel and leisure facilities, including shops and food outlets.

The hotel, to be located at the Wetherspoon end, will be one of the final parts built in the £50 million redevelopment project.

Phase one apartments, nearest the Ramsgate Tunnels, were priced from £399k up to £750k.

Phase two, called The Horizon, had flats costing between £370k and £685k, and phase three, called The Sail, were priced as much as £775k.

An exclusive early bird opportunity will be made to reserve a phase 4 apartment before the properties are made available to the public for people registered.

Blueberry Homes says it is now also seeing advancement with the leisure and café facilities which will be part of the development.

"The first of the commercial units will be a gelato boutique Destefanos, in keeping with the luxury level of the development the boutique will serve Italian gelato, coffees, and pastries," the spokesman said.

The seafront site on Wellington Crescent - previously home to a funfair, bingo hall, café and listed building which was once the Ramsgate Sands Railway station - sat neglected for two decades, after being destroyed in a fire in 1998.

A development proposal was approved 17 years ago, but after years of inaction and ownership issues, the site remained derelict and neglected.