Projects
Yoko grew from one village into four linked land projects between 2021 and 2024. By 2024 we were already in deep financial trouble. In March 2025 the slide towards bankruptcy began, and for me that marked the end.
We never planned to grow this big in Santa Teresa. It grew in response to problems, to protect buyers and make it work.
Here is what each was meant to be, what happened and where it stands.
Project 1
Yoko Village North
What it was meant to be
The first village. Homes in nature, a shared coworking space, and a community of entrepreneurs, with roads planned around the trees.
What happened
We built a bridge and an access road with a neighbour, and four villas were finished between 2022 and 2024. Three more stopped halfway when their funding ran out. We replanned North from 42 lots to 21 larger lots, about 5,000 square metres each on average, to keep as much of the forest as we could. During COVID, building costs rose about three times, which nobody expected. A neighbour disputed the road after it was built, and I moved most buyers to a larger site. North later got its permits, and individual titles came through in 2024.
Where it stands today
Yoko North is in good standing today. Owners have their homes there, and some plan to stay.
Project 2
Sangha
What it was meant to be
A retreat and event space beside the North bridge. A place of peace, with glamping, wellness and a visitor center.
What happened
We built furnished bungalows there as part of the North community space. It hosted talks, workshops and gatherings, and it is where we did our landscape restoration work.
Where it stands today
Sangha later became a separate company when Yoko ran short of money.
Project 3
Yoko South
What it was meant to be
We only ever meant to build North. When it looked like North would not get its permits, buyers moved to a new site at the entrance to town, Yoko South. The first South site was about 30 hectares. Its access crossed a neighbour's land, which caused legal problems, so we bought the land next to it, Slow Living, to create access. Slow Living added about 100 hectares. Together they became one project, Yoko South, of about 130 hectares, planned as 216 parcels.
What happened
Work at South went beyond what was permitted, and it caused real anger. Permits were later obtained, which did not settle every claim about that work. In 2022 I turned down an offer to buy South, because the buyer planned far more homes and would have harmed the nature there. I now see refusing it as a major mistake. Individual titles came through in 2024, and then a new mayor challenged the South road and the titles were blocked again.
Where it stands today
South is stuck. I brought several developers to look at taking it on. None of them went ahead, and I have stepped back.
Project 4
Slow Living
What it was meant to be
Neighbouring land, much bigger than the first South site, bought to create access into South.
What happened
It became part of the South project.
Where it stands today
It is stuck along with South.
