Property Magazine April 2023 Issue 416

SLIM SHADY

LIKE London buses, as the saying goes, you wait ages, then two turn up together.

And that’s certainly the case with a pair of brand new buildings just opened in Estepona.

Dramatically changing the coastline - and genesis of the once small fishing village - the Mirador del Carmen tower and nearby ‘carbon neutral’ town hall are very much a statement of current mayor Jose Maria Garcia Urbano.

Soon to enter his fourth term, they come after a decade of grand openings, including a hospital, athletics stadium and orchid museum.

Taking just 14 months to build, the unusual 12-floor Mirador del Carmen (left) comprises an arts and cultural centre, with close links to the Carmen Thyssen Museum, in Malaga.

It also has a library, an auditorium for concerts and a rooftop terrace with viewing platform.

At the opening at the weekend Urbano described it as a ‘colophon’, a Greek word, meaning inscription or stamp at the end of a book or manuscript.

Junta president, Juanma Moreno, added it was a ‘gift’ to the town and its visitors. It comes just weeks after the town also finally inaugurated its new €13 million town hall (right).

While its signature boast is an internal slide between the fourth and fifth floors to liven up the days of the 200 employees, the seven-floor structure also aims to be carbon neutral. Said to be the ‘most sustainable town hall’ in Spain, due to its renewable energy creation and ‘bioclimatic solutions’, the cube is sheathed by a white lattice designed to shield the inhabitants from the heat of the day.

Meanwhile, photovoltaic panels have been installed on its roof, which are expected to cover the entire electricity demand.

FOREIGN RUSH

FOREIGN property buyers accounted for 88,858 home purchases in Spain last year - up by 45% on 2021 figures.

The College of Registrars says deals struck by non-Spaniards worth at least €500,000 increased by 63.5% compared to the previous year, accounting for 8,975 transactions.

The registrars added that the percentage of foreigners entering the Spanish housing market is normally around 13% annually, but rose last

HighspendingforeignersboostpropertymarketwithBritsontop

By Alex Trelinski

year to 13.8%.

Overall, nearly 650,000 sales were carried out last year - the highest figure since 2007, just before the property bubble burst in Spain.

The breakdown of results by nationality puts UK buyers at 11.07% of purchases made by foreigners.

They are followed by Germans with

9.47%, French (6.97%), Belgians (5.21%), Moroccans (5.15%), Romanians (5.07%) and Dutch (4.91%).

The registrars deduced that properties with an area of over 100 m2 are bought by Americans, the British, Danes and Dutch, while those below 80 m2 are usually acquired by Moroccans, Romanians, Bulgarians, Poles and Italians.

Unsurprisingly tourist areas are the areas that most foreign buyers go

for- led by Alicante province with 41.7% of all house deals, with Tenerife on 35%.

In terms of regions, the Balearic Islands account for 34.38% of all non-Spanish sales.

That's followed by the Canary Islands (28.6%), Valencia (26.8%), Murcia (19%), Andalucia (15%) and Catalunya (13.5%).

Broadly speaking, British and German buyers led the list of foreign

buyers in coastal and island areas, while Romanians and Moroccans were the leading non-Spanish purchasers in landlocked regions like Aragon, Extremadura and Madrid. Total transactions last year were 646,241 deals - 14.5% more than in 2021 with used property sales exceeding 530,000.

The average price paid for a home in Spain was around €188,000 - a 4.5% rise, with bigger increases in the Balearic Islands, Madrid, the Basque Country and Catalunya.

SEEING DOUBLE: The new Estepona town hall and Mirador (below)

Home from home

ALICANTE province was the most popular destination amongst foreign buyers in 2022 by a significant margin, and also the province with the second-highest rate of growth.

Some 20,865 home sales in Alicante province involved foreign buyers in 2022, the highest level in Spain, and 68% higher than 2021, reveals the 2022 market report just published by the land registrars’ association.

Foreign demand in Alicante province was 50% higher than Malaga province (13,908), the second most popular province with foreign investors, and home to the Costa del sol. The chart shows foreign demand in 2022 in key regions and provinces of interest to foreign buyers. Alicante province attracted 23.5% of all foreign buyers in Spain last year, and Alicante and Malaga province between them accounted for just under

40% of foreign demand.

If you look at just key regions of interest to second-home buyers Alicante was 25.8% of the market and Malaga 17.2% (combined total of 43%), as illustrated in the pie chart.

In terms of growth, sales almost doubled in Valencia province (+97%) followed by Alicante province (+68%). Foreign demand increased the least in the Balearics (+22%) and Madrid (+15%).

The market share of foreign buyers was the highest last year in Alicante province (+42%) and Tenerife in the Canaries (35%) and lowest in the Madrid region (5%), excluding other areas that are not of interest to second-home buyers.

This information will be enough for many. For those who want more detail, subscribe to my website, Spanish Property Insight for unrestricted access to all the data and charts. www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

Yanks a lot

SPAIN is the second best country to relocate to for Americans.

Only Japan is a more popular choice to become an expat, while France comes third.

The research by Ibrinfo took the top 13 countries according to the number of American expats living there.

Next it scored the countries on nine factors: road quality, pollution, landmarks, healthcare, nature, monthly costs (without rent), salary after tax, average internet download speed and average rent for a one-bed flat in a city center.

Spain has an average monthly income after tax of 1839 dollars and average rent at 811 dollars, it discovered.

Meanwhile its healthcare index score is 77.9, 3.8 points higher than the UK, and has a pollution index of 39.6 out of 100.

It scored top in internet download speed, a factor that is crucial for those working remotely. The country also enjoys 5,666 nature spots, 17,264 landmarks and the third best road quality score, making it great for those looking to do some weekend trips.

In total Spain scored 81 out of 117 points, only 12 points behind Japan and 2 above France.

Good life beckons

A BRAND new website is encouraging townies to swap for the quiet life in the country.

The site Come and Live in a Village (www.venteaviviraunpueblo.com) aims to be a platform to help repopulate the many villages and hamlets in Spain that are suffering from depopulation.

There are 47 stunning inland villages in Andalucia already on the site, each with alluring videos extolling their best virtues.

As well as interviews with the local mayors, there are potted pointers on transport links and other key facts, such as closest hospital, wifi speeds and population statistics.

Feel the draft

EUROPE-wide plans to clamp down on drafty homes are expected to hammer Spanish property owners where many buildings are poorly insulated.

Under proposed new EU rules, homeowners will be expected to invest in reducing their energy wastage.

It is estimated that an alarming 80% of Spanish homes don’t meet the EU's criteria for energy efficiency.

Properties will be required to boost their energy ratings to at least a category E by 2030 and then push it up to a D by 2033, under EU plans.

Spain has around 28 million old and badly insulated buildings, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition.

Efficiency

Meanwhile, over 80% of homeowners believe they live in an efficient and sustainable house, and 60% do not know their own energy rating, according to real estate union UCI.

Initially the proposal was to restrict sales and rentals that didn’t fit the new rules, but now the EU is leaving the issuing of fines down to each member state.

The EU has recognised the costly investment of green renovations and has stressed the need for financial support and incentives.

Solar panels, insulating windows, thermal insulation, and low-consumption lighting are among the most popular changes people must consider.

Another survey found that 85% of owners, if able to, would be willing to invest in sustainable renovations, in particular as it will likely dramatically lower bills.

TIME TO SHUT UP!

SPAIN’S ombudsman has called on councils to do something about the noise caused by outdoor cafes, bars and restaurants, and crowds celebrating large events.

The platform also provides job offers and information on available housing in the area, plus average costs to rent and buy.

The platform, created by Ramon Pradera, showcases more than 300 villages all over the country, from

Galicia to the Canary Islands. It has so far enabled more than 2,000 families to start a new life in rural locations.

It points to the ‘hundreds of complaints’ it receives every year about the issue, and has reminded local leaders that they must ‘guarantee’ citizens’ right to peace.

The call came in the 2022 annual activity report from the ombudsman, which particularly singled out Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid.

LifestyleinSpainisseen aspreferabletoUKby youngBrits

ESCAPE FROM BREXIT

By Nadia McDonald

THERE has been a huge 31% increase in the number of young Brits (aged 18 – 24) looking to relocate to Europe. According to research, growing numbers of young people are considering a move to the continent as the cost-of-living crisis in the UK gathers pace.

Average house prices on the continent are significantly lower than the British Isles and lifestyles in Spain, Italy and Portugal are seen as preferable to the grey skies back home.

The average UK property price is £294,000, more than double the av-

erage prices in Spain of €120,000, France, €102,000, Portugal, €69,500, and Italy, €65,000 on Kyero.com.

Property prices are not the only thing enticing Gen Z-ers to hop across the

SPEEDY DELIVERY

A HEALTHY 20% of Spanish properties sold within a week last year. And only 14% took over a year from going on the market, according to property portal Idealista.

The quickest sales took place in Granada where 34% took under a week, while a quarter of Madrid properties sold within the same time.

A third of homes took between three months to a year to sell.

Channel. According to data from Eurostat, the average cost for housing, water, electricity and other fuels in the UK was an alarming 68% higher than the rest of Europe.

Remote Companies are increasingly giving employees the opportunity to work remotely, making a move to Europe an option for many young people.

Several countries have set up attractive visa schemes for remote workers, such as the in creasingly popular Digital no mad visa in Spain.

The Defensor del Pueblo, as the ombudsman is known in Spanish, stated that noise is ‘the most-frequent and repeated reason’ for complaints received. ‘Only regulation and effective supervision will avoid urban centres becoming uninhabitable places,’ the text ruled.

Dustmen

The ombudsman also called on councils to better regulate extractor fans in restaurants, dustmen working in the early hours and the noise from air conditioning units.

The report also pointed to the regular complaints from associations and platforms during 2022 in Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid, in response to the ‘proliferation’ of pavement cafes, the invasion of public space by them, and the crowds of people that they attract.

It also called into question the fact that this invasion of public space was an effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, but that no changes have been made despite its ending.

Leaf it out

A TOWN hall has decided to take a stance against noisy leaf blowMarbella has bought a dozen new machines that are quieter, due to vibrating less. It means workers can begin the task of blowing trash and fallen leaves earlier in the morning as they won’t disturb residents.

RURAL IDYLLS: Benahavis and Alozaina (left)

WISE WALLS

Award-winning Casa Sophia is said to be Spain’s greenest home

IT is said to be Spain’s most renewable home.

Casa Sophia, near Madrid, is constructed entirely from recycled and low-impact materials which ‘protect the planet but also the health of its inhabitants’.

Covered in an incredible 60 solar panels generating a whopping 24,000 kWh of electricity a year, it creates much more energy than it can consume and can sell the rest back to the grid.

Its walls are made from stone and a natural photocatalytic mortar decontaminates the air while its interior has a fir cladding and all furniture is made from fully sustainable wood, free of formaldehyde.

It also has a green roof and a vertical garden, which climbs up the wall to give extra insulation and to further improve air quality as well as aid cooling.

Rainwater and wastewater meanwhile, are

collected and treated in a ‘bioplant’ to then be reused in toilet cisterns and for irrigation in the garden.

The award-winning house, in the village of Guadalix de la Sierra, has a garden planted entirely from native plants and trees. The firm that carried out the works, 100x100biopasiva, also recycled 100% of

its waste and offset all CO2 produced in the building process.

The building is the result of 28 years of research in green construction and two years of design. It has received some of Europe’s highest certifications for its sustainability, energy efficiency and carbon neutrality.

“We hope it will lead the way for many others,” insisted architect, Joaquin Ruiz, who has got a certification from prestigious German ratings company Passivhaus. Casa Sophia - which means ‘wisdom’ in Greek - has won many gongs, including the Excellence award from Europe’s Horizon 2020 programme.

ALMENARA, SOTOGRANDE

REF:

Modern house situated in a front-line Almenara golf position on a wonderful elvated plot with great views.

5 Bed | 5 Bath | Build 620m2 Interior 535m2 | Plot 4329m2 | Terrace 85m2

2.950.000 euros

SOTOGRANDE ALTO CENTRAL

Elegant villa with lovely private south facing gardens in the lower part of Sotogande Alto.

6 Bed | 6 Bath | Build 628m2 Plot 2638m2 | Terrace 58m2

2.995.000 euros

Holmes Property Sales S.L. Tel: +34 956 79 53 40

email: info@holmesotogrande.com

www.holmesotogrande.com

HSN3-736 REF: HSN1-268

Spanish stroll

THROUGHOUT Spain, the warm weather has drawn everyone outdoors. Now city streets are bursting with life and atmosphere, strolling about is the best way to learn a lot about the culture, history, and soul of each city and its people.

Andalucia is not short of quaint streets – wherever you go in the region, you’ll stumble upon picturesque calles, promenades, plazas, and passages to amble along, but every city has one or two that are simply magical. So here are seven Spanish strolls you won’t want to miss:

Carrera del Darro, Granada

EVERYBODY loves the Carrera del Darro. The ancient street starts in the neighbourhood of Albaicin and follows the Darro river, passing stone bridges, church and a convent, colourful 16th and 17th century houses, all the while nudging close to the Alhambra.

Less than one kilometre in length, it’s a picturesque stroll not a workout. On a hot day, the stone, the shade, the rippling water and the numerous cafes and ice cream sellers make this a cool option.

Calle Betis, Sevilla

THE neighbourhood of Triana lies opposite Sevilla’s historic quarter – and only the river divides them. The brightly coloured facades, and bars and restaurants of Calle Betis stretch along the waterfront on the Triana side. If you cross to Triana by the San Telmo bridge (near the Torre del Oro) you can stroll along this characterful street to Triana Market, enjoying spectacular views all the way, before cutting back at the next bridge (near the bullring). To experience this part of Triana at its liveliest, you’ll need to wait until after midnight, but dip into the side streets and you’ll find plenty of charm and history.

Plaza de la Constitucion, Almeria

POPULARLY known as Plaza Vieja, the square has been at the heart of the city for centuries, and was once the site of an Arab souk. Dotted with palm trees, it is now a calm, serene place –though the towering column at its centre, the Martyrs of Liberty monument, honours rebels who were shot when they came to recruit men to overthrow the king. The space is flanked by beautiful colonnaded buildings (including the City Hall) built or remodelled in the early 19th century, and many bars and restaurants. Located in the old town, right at the foot of the San Cristobal hill, it’s the ideal spot for a stroll between bars after visiting the Alcazaba.

Andalucia Country Houses

tel: +34 689 992 163 / +34 631 439 907 / +34 618 223 817 email: sales@andalucia-country-houses.com

Avenida de Andalucia, Montejaque, Malaga www.andalucia-country-houses.com

Amazing Colmenar

This edition we feature the lesser known Serrania de Ronda village of El Colmenar (otherwise known as Estacion de Gaucin).

Most people know all about Gaucin, the only Serrania village with stunning sea views and loved by the rich and famous for its discreetly hidden country mansions and Michelin standard restaurants.

But few know the hidden gem of Estación. Unsurpisingly given the clue in the name, there is a train station in the village!

The wonderful Mr Henderson’s railway that goes from San Roque to Ronda – makes a stop at the village – and each weekend the train deposits many walkers, ready to step out into the Alcornocales Natural Park and the amazing Cañon de Buitreras. El Colmenar is the gateway to the Alcornocales Natural Park and bordering the village is the meandering Rio Guardiaro, with its natural swimming pools, easily accessed from the picnic area at the lower end of the village.

The village offers two great restaurants and a couple of smaller tapas style bars and the usual array of local amenities. A charming and picturesque place for an idyllic holiday or permanent home.

Here you will find a fully restored spacious townhouse with an amazing roof top terrace and a thriving retreat business that is for sale due to the owner’s retirement. It’s a great investment – given it is fully booked for the 2023 season.

A genuine turn key business!

Continues on Page 8

Guest House, Gaucin

9 bed • 8 bath • Build 400m2 • Plot 10,000m2

Absolutely charming, authentic Andalusian rural wellness and yoga rebuilt on an ecological farm besides the beautiful Guardiario river and in a natural park, one of the most beautiful areas of Andalusia. 1 hour from Gibraltar. 1 hour from Costa del Sol (Marbella, Estepona). Located in a white village in Ronda mountain range. An ideal home and lifestyle business. The guesthouse has 7 ensuite guest rooms and a self contained 2 bedroom guest cottage: which could be used as an owner accommodation or for letting, making a total of 9 letting rooms rooms. Communal facilities include: dining room, living room, a small wellness spa with massage room, hot tube-jacuzzi, mud bath, and sauna. The kitchen is well equipped with professional equipment.

ref: ACHG2 – 750.000€

Estacion de Gaucin, El Colmenar

3 bed • 1 bath • Build 90m2 • Plot 0m2 Beautifully restored spacious townhouse in the heart of the village of El Colmenar. The elegant exterior is welcoming, once inside the entrance hall is wide and bright, leading into a light, spacious living room and large fully fitted country style kitchen with 4 seater dining table. To the left of the front door is a decent size WC.

ref: ACHEL4 – 140.000€

Spring has arrived and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to start indulging in the very Spanish practice of callejeando – taking a relaxed stroll. Here are our local picks...

Tel. (+34) 952 863 750 panorama.es

Offices at Puente Romano and opposite the Marbella Club hotel

ALTOS DE PUENTE ROMANO Ref: OP13957 Beds: 5 | Baths: 5 Built: 814 m² (incl. terraces) | Plot: 1,180 m² | Price: € 4,500,000

Mediterranean-style villa designed by the renowned architect Melvin Villaroel in one of the most prestigious areas of the Golden Mile.

GOLDEN MILE Ref: OP11760 Beds: 8 | Baths: 6 | Built: 820 m² Terraces: 226 m² | Plot: 1,850 m² | Price: € 3,450,000

HACIENDA LAS CHAPAS Ref: OP13708 Beds: 5 | Baths: 4 Built: 500 m² (incl. terraces) | Plot: 2,995 m² | Price: € 1,900,000

MARBELLA Ref: OP13923 Beds: 2 | Baths: 2 | Built: 127 m² Terraces: 35 m² | Price: € 675,000

ESTEPONA PLAYA Ref: OP12981 Beds: 3 | Baths: 3 Built: 158 m² | Terraces: 51 m² | Price: € 1,375,000

From page 6

Streets of charm

Calle de Marques de Larios, Malaga

THE Fifth Avenue of Malaga runs from Plaza de la Constitucion to the Alameda Principal in the old town.

Wide, spotless, and pedestrianised, it is lined with fashion stores and designer shops aimed at a far more moderate budget than its New York counterpart – it’s the grandeur of the tall buildings that make this one of the most famous and expensive streets in Spain.

The Christmas light shows are legendary but, in spring, it’s people-watching that’s the top entertainment. Anyone with tired feet should do it from an outside table at Lepanto, one of the few places for a drink along its length.

Avenue Campo del Sur, Cadiz

THE seafront promenade wraps around the city from the Puerta de Tierras to the Baluarte de los Martires, with the Victoria and Santa Maria beaches on one side and the bustling city on the other. The views are spectacular, especially when the sun is hitting the golden dome of Cadiz Cathedral.

Calleja de las Flores, Cordoba

CONSIDERED to be one of the most beautiful streets in the world, Calleja de las Flores is in the Jewish quarter of the provincial capital, near the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba.

A narrow passageway between walls festooned with blue pots of geraniums and carnations, it leads to a plaza where even more flowerpots are hung in pattern formations on every side. With the cathedral’s bell tower framed in the distance, this is quite rightly one of the photographed corners of the city.

Calle Duque, Jaen

IN the heart of the historic quarter, this steep, cobbled street of old houses is not only pedestrian, but made up entirely of steps. It begins not far from the Plaza de la Merced and ends at a mirador looking out over tiled rooftops, the mighty cathedral and the mountains behind.

Anyone wanting a longer stroll and aerial city views, should keep going: A trail through olives and pines up to the Castillo de Santa Catalina starts nearby – but get a map, directions and the castle opening hours first.

9 LIONS, NUEVA ANDALUCIA

Elevated three bedroom groundfloor apartment.

3 Beds | 3 Baths | 159m2 Built | 67m2 terrace

REF: 176-02272P | 995.000€

The spacious living room leads you out onto the large covered terrace in a south westerly orientation with open views and plenty of sun. The layout is very comfortable offering 3 suites and a guest toilet. The easy access is direct from the garage where there is room for 1 car plus golf buggy to the apartment floor. The apartment is built to a very high spec with underfloor heating throughout, airzone ac system, security windows and a top quality kitchen with Gaggenau and Neff appliances. Within the complex there are 2 outdoor swimming pools, clubhouse with gym, spa, Turkish sauna and an indoor pool. The urbanisation also offers 24 hrs security. A truly luxurious apartment that has to be seen to be fully appreciated.

MAGNA MARBELLA

West facing spacious apartment.

3 Beds | 2 Baths | 202m2 Built | 40m2 terrace

REF: 176-02300P | 949.000€

Outstanding open panoramic views to the sea, moutains and Gibraltar. Distributed on one floor, entrance, comfortable size kitchen, laundry room with plenty of wardrobes, open large living room looking out West. Master bedroom to the left side of the living room, with ensuite bathroom, dressing room and access to the terrace. To the right of the living room you find the 2 guest bedrooms sharing a large bathroom. The terrace is large enough for a sofa area and sunbeds to enjoy the amazing views.

BUENAVISTA DE LA QUINTA, BENAHAVIS

Spacious apartment in popular complex.

2 Beds | 2 Baths | 174m2 Built | 32m2 terrace

REF: 176-02208P | 695.000€

Spacious apartment with amazing coastal and mountain views. First thing that strikes you when you enter the property is the natural light and views. The large living room has direct access to the covered terrace with room for lounge furniture and sun chairs. The well equipped kitchen looks over the boutique style communal swimming pool and garden, overlooking the Benahavis mountain range. The apartment offers two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room and large living/dining area.

REAL ESTATE WITH THE PERSONAL TOUCH

Imperial Estate brings more than 20 years experience to help smooth the way in your property transactions

LOOKING to discover and buy your dream home here on the Costa del Sol - or perhaps the time has come to sell or upgrade your property?

You can eliminate the stress, hassle and general headache which can tend to be part and parcel of the process by choosing Imperial Estate to help guide and navigate you, professionally and seamlessly, through the whole process, from start to finish.

Established in 1999 Imperial Estate offers clients a dedicated and personalised service, individually tailored to their clients’ individual needs and requests.

A family business, centrally located in Fuengirola, Fabiola and her team bring to bear an intimate knowledge of the local market. And as part of an extensive network of estate agents with a shared database they guarantee that your property will be visible and accessible to any potential buyers.

You can take advantage of the free cutting-edge virtual tours service, professional photographs, energy efficiency certification among many other features and personal touches which Fabiola and her team provide, as part of their service.

You can also trust the team at Imperial Estate to take care of renting out your home or property, and ensuring it is managed securely and professionally.

So why not drop into their Fuengirola office to speak to Fabiola or to one of her friendly, knowledgeable, multilingual team about your property requirements and take the first step in finding your dream home.

Browse their website and property listings on www.imperialestate.com and take the opportunity to list your own property on the website absolutely free!

Check out their handy online property valuation tool, and subscribe to their mailing list, and be first in line to receive the latest property listings.

Call or email Fabiola and her team on: +34 952 664 966 or +34 656 815 699, and at info@imperialestate.com

Have a look at our website and find your perfect home. Either second hand or under construction we are going to guide you all the way through your purchase experience.

EYE OPENING

La Termica is designed to battle winds and heat

LIKE a giant wedding cake or cruise ship, it is set to stand out as a beacon of style and ingenuity on the Malaga

The ‘La Termica’ project of 870 homes, plus hotel, commercial centre and offices, will begin this year after getting the green light in the city.

The low density project will see 80% of its space given over to public and green spaces, while it will conserve the original industrial tower, from which it gets its name.

The cubic homes will be painted white to ensure thermal regulation and lower energy consumption, while their rounded structures will ‘reduce the impact’ of prevailing winds.

A collaboration between Malaga city council and developer Numa, they are designed by French architect Francois Leclercq.

An impressive 500 residential units have already been sold and the complex is expected to become one of the most prestigious in Andalucia.

MORTGAGE THINK TANK

WE NEED PROPERTIES FOR KEEN CLIENTS WAITING TO BUY A HOME OR INVESTMENT PROPERTY. CONTACT US WITHOUT COMMITMENT AND WE WILL PROVIDE VERY INTERESTING AND USEFUL INFORMATION!

952 664 966 INFO@IMPERIALESTATE.COM WWW.IMPERIALESTATE.COM

mortgage broker Tancrede de Pola

DO IT YOURSELF

After all, what could be better than building your own home?

MORE and more people are coming to Spain to build their own villa. The advantages are several in that you can design completely to your own spec., incorporating all of those features you always dreamed of. Also, you would expect the finished article to cost 10-30% less than if you had bought a developer-built home.

But before you jump head first into the build, there are a few things you should know:

● Get expert (legal) advice regarding the plot and potential licence issues…the pitfalls are many.

● You should always apply for your mortgage before the work starts so that you know exactly what your budget is. A on self-build mortgages are known as hipotecas auto promotor.

● Always ensure you have sufficient funds for your initial up-front costs, ie., to buy your plot, pay for the architect and apply for the licences, as you will not be able to borrow against these.

● All banks will expect you to own the land outright including the project and licences and, when you have these, will offer a percentage of the total cost (construction, land) but, very

rarely, the percentage of the final value after completion.

● Check how the land is classified. If it is labelled ‘Rustica’, you will find it very hard to get any bank to give you a mortgage both during the build and after. Opt for ‘urbana’ classifications.

● Have a 10-year building warranty in place, as banks will always require one when the self-build is for personal use. This is because if at any point in the following 10 years you want to sell the property, the warranty must be available to the buyer, by law.

● Prepare to pay more interest than a standard mortgage due to the higher risk associated with lending to a project. The term is also likely to be shorter.

At the Finance Bureau we have helped hundreds of people get mortgages for their self builds, and can help you get all of the above right. Talk to us and the possibilities for your dream home are endless.

Fantastic villa built on one level on flat plot near the town, very pleasant and sunny it offers 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, lounge, conservatory, large terraces surrounding the house facing the garden and private swimming pool, lock up garage and parking area, it has great rental potential and makes a fantastic home!

Price reduced.

Ref: 198 – 295.000 €

Fuengirola centre within Pueblo Lopez area, spacious bright and sunny apartment in quiet position with pleasant views to the gardens and mountains, comprising of 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, utility room, lounge and 2 terraces. All exterior making all rooms sunny and bright. Ideal home with all public services, shops and beach within walking distance.

Ref: L001 – 265.000 €

Mijas Costa, El Coto very charming corner semi detached house built on different levels comprising of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, large terraces, very small splash pool, patio, overlooking the mountains and sunset, parking for several cars make a a great Family home with great views and lots of sun!

Ref: 143 – 295.000 €

Fuengirola centre very cosy apartment close to the sea, harbour, restaurants and all kind of shops and services, rented most of the year with great rental income, consisting of 2 bedrooms, bathroom, open plan kitchen, lounge and balcony, very tranquil area and low running costs.

Ref: L004 – 189.000 €

Fuengirola Centre very cosy and bright apartment close to all services and only a couple of minutes walk to train station, short walk to beach and amenities, very quiet position within a residential complex it offers, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, guest toilet, fully fitted kitchen, lounge and terrace plus underground private garage. Great position makes an ideal home!

Ref: 108 – 266.000 €

Fuengirola centre Pueblo Lopez, beautiful, bright and spacious corner townhouse within this quite urbanisation in the town centre, south west facing it benefits from sun all day, comprising of 2 floors with a total of 140 m2 built plus 50 m2 patio, 2 bedrooms, 2 ½ bathrooms, kitchen, very large lounge and patio. Community parking, enclosed complex very secure. Worth visiting!

Ref: 052 – 425.000 €

Puebla Lucia, Fuengirola centre, spacious apartment in the best complex in Fuengirola, comprising of 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, utility room, lounge and terrace, excellent investment for rental income all year round, community pools, gardens and parking. Makes an excellent permanent or holiday home or rental income!

Ref: C140 – 280.000 €

Mijas Costa Cerros del Aguila, within beautiful and exclusive complex this garden apartment offers lots of space making an ideal home with beautiful communal areas and surroundings. Offering 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully fitted kitchen, spacious lounge, large terrace leading to private garden with mountain views. Private parking. Ideal home and and great rental potential.

Ref: L002 –335.000 €

HAVE A LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE AND FIND YOUR PERFECT HOME. EITHER SECOND HAND OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION WE ARE GOING TO GUIDE YOU ALL THE WAY THROUGH YOUR PURCHASE EXPERIENCE. WE NEED PROPERTIES FOR KEEN CLIENTS WAITING TO BUY A HOME OR INVESTMENT PROPERTY. CONTACT US WITHOUT COMMITMENT AND WE WILL PROVIDE VERY INTERESTING AND USEFUL INFORMATION!

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Have a look at our website and find your perfect home. Either second hand or under construction we are going to guide you all the way through your purchase experience.

MIJAS COSTA

FUENGIROLA CENTRE

ALHAURIN EL GRANDE

FUENGIROLA CENTRE

FUENGIROLA CENTRE

FUENGIROLA CENTRE

PUEBLA LUCIA

MIJAS COSTA

TASTE OF SPRING

WITH Semana Santa upon us, it’s time to resume outdoor living.

Summer ranges are about to drop in store… and will usually be gone by the end of May. So, if you want to get ahead outside, here are some top terrace tips.

On your marks, get set, go: More-is-more maximalism – a hot trend right now, and our strong sunlight, deep blue skies, staggering sunsets, and colourful landscapes can certainly handle it. Add in plenty of patterns with different

As we finally move outside back into our gardens and roof terraces, Julia Begbie, takes a look at a few hot options

sized repeats, lots of strong colour (a wide range from light to dark) including the frames of furniture, and a variety of surface textures too.

Not a style for shrinking violets - if you have a go and it looks a bit sad, you probably need to add more!

Quiet minimalism – if bold colour and pattern set your nerves on edge, then follow Nicky Dobree’s advice (below) and take inspiration for colour from the landscape.

Establish a base neutral palette (e.g. off-white, beige, taupe, or grey) and hold back with the accessories, limiting the colour palette to soft and muted tones and shades picked up when you survey your surroundings.

Invest for long-lasting style – use high quality sun and weather-resistant textiles, such as Designers Guild fabrics, to get years of pristine performance.

According to Jacqueline Roberts of TerazzaBella, in Estepona, among the biggest developments in terrace design has been the huge increase in exciting colour and pattern, not just in textiles but in outdoor rugs and wallpaper too. Now you can have whatever you want, inside or out!

Visit www.telabella.es

Live like Jackie O

HARD WEARING:

Materials from Designers Guild

JUST between us, there is something special going on at Ikea right now: a partnership with cult Finnish design brand Marimekko – beloved of Jackie O and Carrie Bradshaw. If you know, you know. These star designer collaborations sell fast and are one season only. The Marimekko products

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE PROS

Designer Nicky Dobree on how she was inspired by the local vernacular to create the sumptuous look of hip Vejer hotel Plaza 18

quite a departure and is Nicky’s first hotel project. Judging by the ecstatic guest reviews, it won’t be her last.

are branded ‘bastua’: use this term to filter the Ikea website and discover a small but perfectly formed capsule range of kimonos, floor cushions, rechargeable lanterns, trays and platters, glorious glassware, and all manner of beach and terrace textiles to get you and your home summer-ready!

The branded carrier bag (watch out for late summer resale prices on eBay) is just €0.99 and would make a great gift / beach bag.

British interior designer Nicky Dobree is best known for a portfolio chock-full of sumptuous, snowblown ski chalets.

So Plaza 18, a boutique hotel in sun-baked Vejer de la Frontera, is

You might wonder how an outsider - even a professional one - could drop in, flawlessly convert a venerable Andalucian building, and deliver an impeccable sense of place.

It helps that Nicky has been a regular visitor to Vejer and is a true champion of the Andalucian vernacular.

Plus she’s a veteran when it comes to getting wide things up narrow tracks.

Of particular interest from an interior design point of view is how Plaza 18 manages to feel both historic and contemporary, and cool and cosy, all at

the same time.

Here she gives the Olive Press her tips for renovating and decorating in Spain.

ON COLOUR: Take local inspiration for colour, look to nature and local culture, so for example, against the soft stone tones of the south of France you might pick a palette of soft pinks and greens, whereas in the south of Spain, you start with a black and white canvas and you can afford to use bolder colour.

ON MIXING OLD AND NEW: Even if you want contemporary style, don’t strip out beautiful original details, instead invest in restoring these. Furnishings don’t have to work so hard when the architecture is beautiful; you can mix very modern pieces with antiques in a well-restored period building, particularly when you select local pieces.

ON PUEBLO BLANCO STYLE: The pueblo blanco vernacular is strongly black and white, but in an older building, the patina of use alters colour. Plaza 18’s blacks and whites are off-blacks and offwhites, and not off-the-ferretería-shelf. All colours

were carefully tested on site. Culturally, Africa also has a role to play in Andalucian style, and in Plaza 18 artworks by African artists were also woven in.

ON OUR CLIMATE: A room that is decorated using light-coloured linens to alleviate the summer heat can also be cosy on a chilly winter’s night when you turn on lamps, sink your feet into rugs, plump cushions and surround yourself with a collection of art and decorative objects.

ABOVE ALL: Save time and money by getting professional design help, learn about local style by working with an expert who knows instinctively what’s right and where to find it.

“EVERY project has to be grounded by its location and its architecture…having a sense of place for any building is absolutely vital.”

Let us help you

Sierra Blanca

Bedrooms: 6 | Bathrooms: 9

8,500,000€

Terrace size: 224m2 | Build size: 882m2 | Plot size: 2168m2

Villa Quinta

Bedrooms: 8 | Bathrooms: 10

Build size: 1446m2 | Plot size: 1740m2

14,000,000€

Marbella Club Benahavis

Bedrooms: 6 | Bathrooms: 9

9,500,000€

Terrace size: 615m2 | Build size: 1370m2 | Plot size: 6000m2

Lomas de Marbella

Bedrooms: 6 | Bathrooms: 6

6,500,000€

Terrace size: 284m2 | Build size: 647m2 | Plot size: 1441m2

Villa Arboleda

Bedrooms: 5 | Bathrooms: 4

1,695,000€

Terrace size: 159m2 | Build size: 296m2 | Plot size: 609m2

Beach Villa

Bedrooms: 4 | Bathrooms: 5

Build size: 414m2 | Plot size: 434m2

3,950,000€

Los Flamingos, Benahavis

3,395,000€

3,395,000€

Top quality villa built to the highest standards situated on one of the best plots in Los Flamingos Golf Resort. South facing with spectacular views to the Mediterranean.

Los Flamingos, Benahavis

Bedrooms: 6 | Bathrooms: 3.5 | Terrace size: 114m2 | Build size: 533m2 | Plot size: 2122m2

Bedrooms: 6 | Bathrooms: 3.5 | Terrace size: 114m2 | Build size: 533m2 | Plot size: 2122m2

3,395,000€

Main floor: Spacious hallway, large living area with fireplace, dining area with open plan fully fitted kitchen, three guest bedrooms sharing one bathroom, guest toilet, garage for 3 cars. Direct access to the covered and uncovered terraces, the garden and the private heated pool.

Top quality villa built to the highest standards situated on one of the best plots in Los Flamingos Golf Resort. South facing with spectacular views to the Mediterranean.

Top quality villa built to the highest standards situated on one of the best plots in Los Flamingos Golf Resort. South facing with spectacular views to the Mediterranean.

First floor: Master bedroom suite, two guest bedrooms sharing one bathroom, laundry room. Terraces and porches with every bedroom.

Main floor: Spacious hallway, large living area with fireplace, dining area with open plan fully fitted kitchen, three guest bedrooms sharing one bathroom, guest toilet, garage for 3 cars. Direct access to the covered and uncovered terraces, the garden and the private heated pool.

Lower floor: Separate extra room/area with bathroom (fitness). Storage and technical room.

Main floor: Spacious hallway, large living area with fireplace, dining area with open plan fully fitted kitchen, three guest bedrooms sharing one bathroom, guest toilet, garage for 3 cars. Direct access to the covered and uncovered terraces, the garden and the private heated pool.

First floor: Master bedroom suite, two guest bedrooms sharing one bathroom, laundry room.

First floor: Master bedroom suite, two guest bedrooms sharing one bathroom, laundry room.

Italian marble floors, A/C with heating, underfloor heating, alarm system. Gated community with 24hrs. security. Close to all amenities and the beach, 10 minutes to Puerto Banus. Next to the 5* Villa Padierna Hotel with all its facilities.

Terraces and porches with every bedroom.

Terraces and porches with every bedroom.

Lower floor: Separate extra room/area with bathroom (fitness). Storage and technical room.

Lower floor: Separate extra room/area with bathroom (fitness). Storage and technical room.

Italian marble floors, A/C with heating, underfloor heating, alarm system. Gated community with 24hrs. security.

Italian marble floors, A/C with heating, underfloor heating, alarm system. Gated community with 24hrs. security.

Close to all amenities and the beach, 10 minutes to Puerto Banus. Next to the 5* Villa Padierna Hotel with all its facilities.

Close to all amenities and the beach, 10 minutes to Puerto Banus. Next to the 5* Villa Padierna Hotel with all its facilities.

tel: +34 662 562 083 info@marbellaestategroup.com

Avenida Del Prado S/N office 1 , Aloha Garden

tel: +34 662 562 083 info@marbellaestategroup.com

www.marbellaestategroup.com

tel: +34 662 562 083 info@marbellaestategroup.com

Avenida Del Prado S/N office 1 , Aloha Garden

Avenida Del Prado S/N office 1 , Aloha Garden

www.marbellaestategroup.com

www.marbellaestategroup.com

END YOUR REAL ESTATE SEARCH TODAY

END YOUR REAL ESTATE SEARCH TODAY

Let us help you

END YOUR REAL ESTATE SEARCH TODAY

Let us help you

Let us help you

La Zagaleta, Benahavis

Bedrooms: 5 | Bathrooms: 6 | Terrace size: 370m2 | Build size: 1080m2 | Plot size: 4826m2

La Zagaleta, Benahavis

Contemporary renovated top quality villa in La Zagaleta. Fully private and south facing with sea views.

Bedrooms: 5 | Bathrooms: 6 | Terrace size: 370m2 | Build size: 1080m2 | Plot size: 4826m2

9,400,000€

9,400,000€

Main floor: Living area, dining, fully fitted kitchen with Miele appliances, office, two guest bedrooms en suite, guest toilet.

La Zagaleta, Benahavis

Direct access to the private pool and gardens.

9,400,000€

Bedrooms: 5 | Bathrooms: 6 | Terrace size: 370m2 | Build size: 1080m2 | Plot size: 4826m2

Contemporary renovated top quality villa in La Zagaleta. Fully private and south facing with sea views.

First floor: Master bedroom suite and two guest bedrooms suite.

Main floor: Living area, dining, fully fitted kitchen with Miele appliances, office, two guest bedrooms en suite, guest toilet.

Two lower floors: Gym, sauna, indoor pool, intergrated cinema, entertainment area, staff quarters, garage.

Contemporary renovated top quality villa in La Zagaleta. Fully private and south facing with sea views.

Direct access to the private pool and gardens.

An exceptional property!

Main floor: Living area, dining, fully fitted kitchen with Miele appliances, office, two guest bedrooms en suite, guest toilet.

First floor: Master bedroom suite and two guest bedrooms suite.

Direct access to the private pool and gardens.

Two lower floors: Gym, sauna, indoor pool, intergrated cinema, entertainment area, staff quarters, garage.

First floor: Master bedroom suite and two guest bedrooms suite.

An exceptional property!

Two lower floors: Gym, sauna, indoor pool, intergrated cinema, entertainment area, staff quarters, garage.

An exceptional property!

SELLER’S MARKET

QDID HOUSE PRICES GO UP OR DOWN IN 2022?

In 2022 house prices went upwe’re talking a rise of about 6%. And almost everyone had record sales last year. A lot of real estate agencies - including us - had their best year ever.

This year, 2023, started a little bit slowly but now it looks like the market is on the move again and moving faster. This is a slight shock as last year the market took off spontaneously.

What’s more, spring is our busiest season, as everyone in Northern Europe realises how bad the weather is up there and they want to move down!

I don’t expect prices to go up this year by as much as 2022 - I think we will see an estimated increase of 2% over the year. But it is going to be a difficult market for buyers with a budget under €1 million still expecting to find the criteria they’ve seen in properties in the last couple of years. The market has made it to a spot where demand is a lot higher than supply, and this plays on the side of the vendors. They do not need to negotiate too much on prices - if at all - compared to the price drops for sale agreements we have seen over the past couple of years.

WHAT IS DRIVING DEMAND?

In spite of the economic problems the world is experiencing postCovid with inflation and other factors, demand is still high. But the wealthy, those who have the facilities to ride out the storm, are the ones who are driving the market in the Marbella area.

Also I believe that there is a fear with all the economic changes happening worldwide and many wealthy people prefer to keep their wealth in properties in a luxurious bubble such as Marbella instead of risking a big loss in the banks or stocks. We have to keep in mind that properties are like gold, they will never lose value no matter what, the market fluxes going up and down, but pinned points such as the Costa del Sol will always keep their value. As always, the middle classes are the ones to feel it most. They may find they can not afford to buy a property and then have to suffer high priced rentals as well.

IS A PARTICULAR TYPE OF PROPERTY BECOMING MORE OR LESS POPULAR? IF SO, WHY?

In my eyes resale property is becoming more valuable and this has to do a lot with the most popular areas.

Companies doing renovations are more and more in demand with people preferring to buy well-built older properties. They prefer to have a solid structure that has lasted for years rather than the not-so-solid plaster-board walls of new properties.

I am not saying new builds are not in demand, but we have to keep in mind that the most popular locations only have so much land that is allowed to be developed. Areas such as Nueva Andalucia,

Sierra Blanca, parts of the Municipality of Benahavis such as El Pariaso La Quinta, Los Arqueros are now mature. This means that many buyers prefer to take over a property in these areas and renovate it to higher standards, rather than move further away just to have a new build property. Or as a last resort, if they can find a plot, they can build their own. But in this case we’ve experienced many months of delays in paperwork in Marbella. This is not acceptable from our point of view as real estate brokers, knowing the vast income we bring to the Town Hall…

WHAT CHALLENGES ARE PEOPLE TYPICALLY FACING WHEN BUYING OR SELLING PROPERTIES?

The challenges today are that sellers who want to sell as high as possible need to realise that they may not get what they really want for their property. If they need to sell quickly they should take the offer that’s on the table.

The buyer’s challenge is that when they find the right property they should not be stubborn in an attempt to get the best deal! Try to close the deal ASAP as the market has almost nothing good left!

WHAT NATIONALITIES ARE MOVING OVER TO THE AREA AND HAVE ANY INCREASED OR DECREASED

SIGNIFICANTLY IN 2022?

We still have a lot of Scandinavians, and we see a lot of British people. We also have a lot of French and Belgians here as well.

So we could say that it is mainly central and particularly northern Europeans who are the ones bringing in the money for investments or holiday homes.

Even though we have to keep in mind that the Russian-Ukrainian war has affected the market, every day we see more Eastern Europeans investing in properties for holidays or just as a pure investment. They want to keep their wealth somewhere physical and not in the bank.

Despite what is said and heard, in my eyes many Eastern Europeans hold a lot of funds and I do believe they will come and start investing more in the next few years. I believe they were not really familiar with this area, which is becoming more famous by the day around the world.

We also have a growing portfolio of North Americans coming over to retire or simply work remotely.

The cost of living is a lot cheaper than California for example, and property prices are more affordable - you definitely can get more for your money! (Without expecting a tsunami or hurricane to hit you - joke).

ARE THERE ANY NEW LEGAL/ TAX/PLANNING IMPLICATIONS OF BUYING OR SELLING PROP -

ERTY EITHER IN DEVELOPMENT OR ON THE HORIZON OF BEING APPROVED AND IMPLEMENTED THAT PEOPLE NEED TO BE AWARE OF?

Not as far as I am aware. We keep on top of such matters for our clients. Searches are taking more and more time though, compared to the past two years. We always keep up to date with our friendly lawyers, who get us up to speed on any laws that we should be aware of.

CONSIDERING ALL OF THE ABOVE, HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE PROPERTY MARKET TO CHANGE AND DEVELOP IN 2023?

I thought there would be a lot more property on the market, keeping in mind everything that was sold last year. All those projects bought last year should be renovated and up-selling by now but they are not. All I can say is that I am uncertain if this is due to the increment in prices of materials and manpower or just that they have not finished the works yet. This could explain very easily the lower numbers of properties on the market to the benefit of owners who can hold out for high prices without fear of losses.

The Olive Press carried out a Q&A with the man behind the deals and CEO of Marbella Estate Group Sam Shaje about the state of the Marbella luxury property market in 2023

FIRESHIELD: MAKING WOODEN STRUCTURES SAFER

Cape Reed’s Fireshield could play a crucial role in fire prevention

MARBELLA , February 2023. International thatch and carpentry expert, Cape Reed, has launched a unique fire-retardant coating which is specifically formulated to help prevent fires from catching on structures built with natural sustainable materials. Approved by insurers and industry standards alike, the treatment provides an additional layer of protection against the possibility of wild fires for the many businesses on the Costa del Sol that have thatch roofing, reeds and natural wood structures.

LAGUNA VILLAGE FIRE… COULD IT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?

In 2020, Laguna Village (pictured), famed for its Polynesian style Tiki thatched roof buildings, was razed to the ground.

If Cape Reed Fireshield’s flame retardant coating had been applied to the structures, it could have prevented the spark from turning into a devastating fire, slowing the progress and thereby making it more manageable.

AN EXTRA LAYER OF FIRE PROTECTION

Andre van Heerden, Managing Director of Cape Reed explained: “In Spain alone, in 2021 more than 283,000 hectares were badly damaged by wild fires.

“This poses a very real threat to business owners on the Costa del Sol who would face financial ruin if their chiringuitos, beach clubs and many other natural structures dotted along the coastline were to catch fire.

“Cape Reed has created many beautiful highly durable structures that need to be protected against the possibility of fire, that could be caused by extreme temperatures, by accident or even intentionally.

This is why we launched Cape Reed ‘Fireshield’.

Now we can offer all business owners ac-

cess to our unique patented flame-retardant coating which is suitable for all types of structures, including pergolas, gazebos and of course thatched roofs”.

INTERNATIONAL FLAME RESISTANCE STANDARDS

Cape Reed Fireshield is a specially formulated chemical that can be applied to thatch, timber and various other natural materials to significantly increase resistance to fire.

The fire-retardant water based tumescent coating doesn’t contain any toxic elements, making it both environmentally and user friendly. The treatment conforms to all relevant international standards, including the EU, Dubai and UK standards, and offers an overall B-Roof (t1) fire rating.

APPROVED BY INSURERS

Most insurance companies require professionally administered fire-retardant treatments on any natural structures within the terms and conditions prior to providing full insurance cover. Cape Reed’s Fireshield fulfils this requirement.

EASTER DISCOUNT OFFER

As a special limited-time Easter offer, Cape Reed is currently offering huge discounts on five different timber and thatch structures currently.

All structures will also be treated with our unique fire-retardant coating, Fireshield, absolutely Free!

Visit https://capereed.es/promotion/ for more details on this offer.

IBERIAN CONQUEST

A little-known Israeli chain has acquired eight new hotels in Spain in a year

WELCOMEINVITATION

Strand Properties invited into a tough club to become a world leader

STRAND PROPERTIES, the Spanish real estate company founded by Finns Serena and Anssi Kiviranta, has been invited to join the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World ® network.

The invitation is a testament to the quality of their work and their exceptional customer experience.

The network includes 550 companies from around the world. These companies are located in 70 countries, with an estimated 136,000 real estate agents working under them.

Each year, well over one million real estate transactions are made by the network’s companies.

All the companies invited to participate are recognised for their expertise and excellent knowledge of the local and global markets.

All brokers in the network have been vetted, using efficiency and performance as criteria, with a particular focus on commitment to a quality customer experience.

At Strand Properties, we are certainly pleased to be invited to join the ranks of the world’s best.

It feels good to be recognised in this way. Being part of the network gives us more tools to operate globally. Through us, you can now buy and sell homes anywhere in the world.

Strand Properties has offices in Marbella, Fuengirola, Malaga and Mallorca.

Sirena and Anssi Kiviranta were two of the founding partners of a very successful Finnish real estate concept Bo LKV.

They participated in growing the business from scratch to a company of 200 employees and €23M turnover in less than five years.

A capital investment company acquired the majority of Bo LKV in the autumn of 2019. In mutual understanding, the Kiviranta couple had the chance to start a real estate agency abroad under their own brand.

The Strand Properties chain has grown to become one of the most recognised real estate brands among agents, customers, and developers.

IT has been something of a silent takeover. But in just seven years an ambitious Israeli group has acquired 17 hotels in Spain. In the last year alone, the Leonardo chain has bought eight hotels in the country, with six in the Balearic Islands and one in Fuengirola. The giant €200m-plus splurge includes its first purchase on the Costa del Sol, the Leon-

ardo Hotel Fuengirola, which has had a total refit (pictured above and left).

Opening last week, the 184-room hotel is an emblematic hostelry with breathtaking views along the coast and over to Morocco.

Bought last March the hotel has had a year of total renovation, overhauling the furniture and decor.

“We want to be part of the revitalisation of this classic tourist destination, providing quality, comfort and service in the style of the Leonardo brand,” explained hotel manager Antonio Cantos.

The new look hotel, which is just a few paces to the beach and marina, has had a comprehensive overhaul of all its rooms by the group’s head designer Andreas Neudham.

In the latest Spanish splurge, the chain has also acquired the famous OD hotel in Mallorca, which has now just reopened as the Leonardo Boutique Hotel Mallorca Port Portals.

The 77-room design hotel - long popular with a hip island crowd and visiting DJs - has maintained its charm, while adding numerous stylish touches.

In addition, the group has added the frontline beach hotel Royal Palmanova and the Royal Mallorca, which will open shortly.

Meanwhile three more hotels are due to reopen after a complete overhaul in the Santa Eularia and San Antonio areas.

All of the hotels have been completely rebranded and taken to the standard of the Leonardo group, which owns 230 hotels in 111 destinations worldwide.

The global hotel chain - which has five different brands, including NYX and Herods - was launched by Israeli businessman David Fattal in 1998.

Last year, it also bought Hotel Dilly, in London, which is expected to have a total cost - including renovation - of 103 million euros. The hotel group is listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE).

For more information and bookings, visit www.leonardo-hotels.es

NEW: Three hotels glammed up in Santa Eularia and San Antonio

You can find more exclusive properties on our website. Are you interested in selling your property and having it advertised on multiple portals and newspapers or are you interested in buying a property?

CONTACT US: +34 676 90 15 19 | INFO@STRAND.ES | STRAND.ES

FUENGIROLA | 2 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 195 M2 REF: STRAND9676 | PRICE: 895,000€

MÁLAGA | 2 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 76 M2 REF: STRANDM9011 | PRICE: 430,000€

ESTEPONA | 2 BEDS | 1 BATH | 64 M2 REF: STRAND1617 | PRICE: 450,000€

MARBELLA | 3 BEDS | 3 BATHS | 294 M2 REF: STRAND2443 | PRICE: 1,995,000€

MÁLAGA | 3 BEDS | 3 BATHS | 511 M2 REF: STRANDM5041 | PRICE: 1,400,000€

MIJAS | 3 BEDS | 3 BATHS | 346 M2 REF: STRANDP5038 | PRICE: 1,050,000€

FUENGIROLA | 3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 95 M2 REF: STRANDP2016 | PRICE: 579,000€

MARBELLA | 2 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 135 M2 REF: STRAND1610 | PRICE: 685,000€

MÁLAGA | 5 BEDS | 3 BATHS | 281 M2 REF: STRANDM8054 | PRICE: 785,000€

MARBELLA | 5 BEDS | 4 BATHS | 360 M2 REF: STRAND9622 | PRICE: 2,590,000€

MARBELLA | 2 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 99 M2 REF: STRAND9543 | PRICE: 376,000€

FUENGIROLA | 3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 175 M2 REF: STRAND1517 | PRICE: 619,000€

ROOM WITHOUT A VIEW

IN the days of slow travel, you watched scenery passing the train window and, later, people passing below your hotel balcony. Then you went out and ate stuff you’d never tried before, and got lost.

Then along came glamping when being a real traveller meant booking a yurt, Airstream, barrel, train carriage or crate in a field and sitting outside it listening to owls.

A decade on, tourism trends have swung to the opposite extreme. In capsule hotels the views are non-existent and the only potential communing with nature is during a trip to the shower block. Capsule hotels have been popping up across Spain as different companies race to have the most and be the leading brand.

Each boasts its own set of perks, but they have fundamental things in common: You get a room without a view, or the space to stand up or swing a cat, or natural light; a selection of remote controls; generous, well-equipped, shared facilities; and you get a cheap night in a top city.

Optimi Rooms Bilbao [https://www. optimirooms.com] was one of the first.

Others include Art Seven [https:// www.artsevenhostel.com] and Oxygen Hostel [https://www.oxygenhostelcapsules.com] in Madrid; and Atypicap Capsule [https://www.atypicap.com] in Tenerife.

FUTUROTEL

As Malaga’s Futurotel Malagueta [https://www.futurotelgroup.com]

claims to be ‘the hotel with the most advanced technology of the moment’ I checked it out.

The advance online check-in didn’t go through, and the Virtual Butler who was to call or text before I arrived, didn’t, but the humans dealing with the large crowd (mixed ages, mixed sizes) at the front desk were friendly and helpful.

‘Room’ is misleading –what you get is a box or pod or capsule inside a room.

But, in contrast to the standard hostel design of open-sided bunks in an open plan dorm, the accommodation in a capsule hotel is individual, private, sealed shut, all yours.

I was led along a corridor and shown how to press this, that and the other, and waft my hand past a sensor to unlock a door to a dark and hushed space.

Two tiers of pods stretched along both sides, their sliding doors sealed shut like lids to a hatch, lights blinking denoting stuff. It was like something from Alien or The Matrix except for the shoes lying around– all trainers.

I was offered the choice of dropping to my hands and knees and crawling into a pod, or using fixed steps to access the one stacked on top.

Opting for the eye-level one, I concentrated as the man from front desk ex-

plained which buttons controlled the light, air, heat, temperature, door lock and flat screen TV. He handed me a bag containing remote controls, game controller, headphones, and towels; and I climbed in, slid the door shut, and examined my surroundings.

IN THE POD

Futurotel pods are entirely taken up by a small double mattress. You can kneel, but there is nowhere, and no way, to stand.

They are somewhere between an MRI scanner and BA long haul business class –not for the claustrophobic. But the beds with their white duvets and clouds of pillows are luxuriously comfortable (if you don’t think so, you can select a different mattress and pillow from a menu) and the space, if limited, is spotless and well-designed.

As well as USB and charging points, and a foldaway table, each has mirrors, mood lighting, a basket of snacks, and a large flat screen TV at the foot of the bed.

The TV screen is basically the control panel, not only providing access to Spanish TV, Netflix, HBO, Disney and whatnot, but hundreds of games (and players), room service and the front desk.

It also tells you the time, the date and where you are (vital given the absence of any other clues), and the current temperature out there in the real world should you ever wish to visit it. Theoretically, it would be easy to lie there for days. It would be a good place to get over a cold, or to put someone who didn’t like sunshine while you went shopping or sightseeing or took a cruise.

If you’re planning on applying to go to Mars, you could get a feel for the transport.

SHARED SPACE

The shared bathrooms are wellequipped, with eco-packs of shampoos and gels; taps controlled by sensors; and showers with a thrilling variety of settings. Even the toilets and mirrors are smart – smarter than me: I lost interest in trying to heat the seat, and play videos while cleaning my teeth, but I appreciate the fact that the technology is there for those who find these things important. There’s an attractive bright white

Continues on Page 22

Don’t you want a hotel with local character and a room with a view? Judging by the success of capsule hotels, apparently not all of you, writes Sorrel Downer

COSY OR CLAUSTROPHOBIC: You don’t get much space in a capsule and facilities are shared

The joy of living in Estepona

An avant-garde design that blends into the surroundings in a consolidated area that’s just minutes from the beach and the city center.

At Mesas Homes II, you’ll find the perfect home in the perfect place.

Spacious terraces

Swimming pool and gym

Design

600m from the marina

From Page 20

LIVING IN A POD

seating area (with plants) and an openplan kitchen with enough pans, crockery and cutlery to start a pop-up restaurant, though, aside from the kettles, and fridges (share one or rent your own), what guests use most is the microwave.

Vending machines run the length of the wall, some stocked with deodorant, toothpaste and chargers; but the majority contain late night junk food snacks, and readymeals from burgers and chicken wings to macaroni bolognese.

Though I’d passed two couples who appeared to be in their late-60s, and a couple of women in their 30s, and a family with teenagers, the vending machine content is confirmation of the hotel’s target market: the 20-something gamer.

Beyond the vending machines, the Subbuteo, the pool table, and vintage Mario Bros arcade game, some of them were visible in the Vegas-dim of the gaming area. Futurotel gives its guests Play Station 5 with more than 1,000 games and the sports stream-

SOMETHING IN THE AIR…

Tsome warmth and sunshine. Or perhaps it’s the buzz of the opening of new restaurants, various food markets, fairs and sailing regattas. The island is wak ing up.

There has been an increase of interest in buying a property on the island since 2020 and so far, this remains, even with increased inflation and the European energy crisis. Mallorca property prices re main among the highest in Spain. Have you been thinking of relocating to the Mediterranean? Of relaxing on your private terrace soaking up the Mediterranean sun shine and listening to the waves.

We are thrilled to introduce this magnificent waterfront property in the hidden bay of Cap

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ing service DAZN free of charge and says ‘you won’t want to leave the hotel during your stay’. If – despite this – you do, electric scooters can be reserved via app, QR code, your in-pod TV, or by walking to reception and asking.

THE REAL WORLD I was out of there like a greyhound from the traps in the morning, anxious to bask in daylight. At Malagueta beach, one block south, the sea was shimmering, parakeets were squawking in the palms, and there was a lot of jogging, cycling,

NOT BAD: You may live in a capsule but there is fun to be had

scooting and speed-walking going on.

Outside a café, people were drinking coffee and eating toast, yacking with friends, dogs at their feet. It was busy and invigorating. The light, temperature and fresh salty air were perfect.

Futurotel Malagueta’s location on Calle Maestranza is excellent – by the sea, just a five-minute walk from the Pompidou Centre, 15 minutes from the cathedral, the Picasso Museum, and streets of tapas bars and restaurants.

You wonder, if the goal is to create an immersive environment guests won’t want to leave, whether it would make more sense to stick hotels like this out by airports (like

Yotel at Gatwick).

But capsule hotels continue to make alien landings in top spots in popular tourist destinations. And they have their advantages: the miniscule sleeping area is offset by loads of public space and amenities, and for a city break they’re generally a bargain (Futurotel Malagueta has spotless pods for two from around €35). Just don’t forget to check out the real world just outside the door even – or especially if – you’re an ardent gamer. Most Spanish tourist destinations also offer lots of public space, free amenities, and a wide range of entertainment – as well as much, much better food.

SEEING DOUBLE?

Why are there two property registries in Spain? And why are they showing different m²? Property specialist Christofer Fogelberg explains

IT’S a question frequently asked by my clients.

There are indeed two different registries; the Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) and the Tax Registry (Registro de Catastro).

Both have different purposes and the reason they usually show different metres squared for the same property is the way the information was collected.

The Land Registry is dependent on the Ministry of Justice and is the legal source of information about a property, i.e. from its sale.

The collection of the information for this registry is mostly done from title deeds signed before a public notary.

The description from the deed will be shown here, including the m².

The Tax Registry on the other hand, is dependent on the Ministry of Treasury and is the base for all the taxes payable for a property, such as rates (IBI) and purchase transfer tax (ITP).

The information in this registry, including m², is mainly based on estimations collected from aerial flight photos!

I will give a common example;

A villa built and registered in 1980 had a pool built in 1992.

The pool was built without a building licence and was never registered in the property registry.

BUT the pool shows in the tax registry as the tax office discovered it on flight photos and

added it for tax purposes.

All estate agents typically find these problems when assessing a property and should always advise the vendor to get the situation sorted out before putting the property for sale.

In 2015, a law came in to harmonise the information in both registers but – surprise - the authorities made it the responsibility of the owner to undertake it. So it mainly only gets done when a property is sold, and if the buyer and vendor get the correct advice.

To conclude, the Property Registry is the legal base for a sale of a property but the Tax Registry marks the taxable base of the sale.

A strange paradox is that it is voluntary to register property sales and properties in the land registry, but all properties are obligatory registered in the tax registry.

The responsibility that the information is correct and updated is the owners.

So before putting a property up for sale it is always recommendable to get a registered estate agent to properly assess the property.

Neale

GOLDEN VISA UNDER THREAT

As Portugal

popular

IRELAND and Portugal have recently announced the cancellation of their so-called ‘Golden Visa’ schemes.

These programmes gave residency to non-European Union citizens who invested a certain amount of money in their country, as does a similar visa in Spain.

The programmes generated substantial foreign investment, with Portugal taking almost €7 billion since the program was initiated in 2012.

So popular had been the uptake in Spain’s Iberian neighbour that in 2022, Portugal saw a 42% increase in investment through the Golden Visa program, harvesting €654 million in just one year.

Despite this success, Portugal and Ireland have chosen to revoke their programmes out of fear that it was encouraging money laundering and contributing to a speculative housing bubble.

And indeed, there’s no doubt that Portugal has a problem with a lack of affordable rental housing stock in its main cities.

Lisbon saw a rent increase of 37% last year, so it’s understandable the government wants to rein in uncontrolled price growth.

Recent data in Spain however, suggests house prices are, in comparison to other countries in Europe, anything but exuberant.

DEVELOP AND BUILD SERIES

TERRA Meridiana boss Adam Neale has been spending considerable time scouting out, researching and promoting properties in specific niche developments on the coast.

These include Sierra Blanca, Madronal and Cascada de Camojan, where the company is about to build a ‘huge’ luxury villa, alongside the architecture company, Ark, in Sotogrande.

In an informative YouTube video, architect Manuel Ruiz Moriche explains how the villa, Atrio, is a ‘very special project in the most privileged place in Marbella with amazing views.”

Adam also takes viewers around another extraordinary development in Sector B of Zagaleta, the most expensive, exclusive urbanisation in Spain.

In a series of films he explains the remarkably complex and costly way the builders have had to first drive giant concrete piles into the ground before

BAD TIMING

Yet Spain might now be considering doing the exact same thing.

In the same week that Portugal cancelled its program, Más País, a small left wing political party, proposed cancelling Spain’s version of the Golden Visa program.

The party, born out of the ashes of Podemos, has a reasonable following in Spain and a number of coalition partners in all its regions. But Spain’s Socialist-led government should think twice before taking this route because it could have an outsized impact on the real estate sector and economy as a whole. It comes at a moment when a year of interest rate rises, high inflation and political uncertainty are already creating serious headwinds for the housing market.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

The Spanish Golden Visa scheme is a residency program designed to encourage investment. It grants long term residency to non-EU citizens who invest a certain amount of money in the country.

The required amount varies based on the type of investment, with a minimum of €500,000

for a property purchase.

A larger investment in a business or government bonds grants the same visa, though the property requirement has been the most popular. This residency allows the investor to live and work in Spain, access social services like public healthcare and education. It also puts them on the road to citizenship, if they choose. And finally, it allows visa holders to bring immediate family members to Spain.

The Golden Visa scheme has been incredibly successful, attracting around €1 billion in in-

vestments every single year in direct investments.

A big contribution to the economy it helped to increase the number of foreign buyers purchasing property here.

In the first half of 2022, foreign buyers accounted for 14% of all property purchases in Spain, the highest number ever. The visa scheme definitely helped.

Of these, the largest non-EU purchasers of property were the British, who made up 10% of all foreign purchases, that’s almost 11,000 homes in one year.

And let’s not forget that the majority of British purchases are under €300,000 and therefore the Golden Visa doesn’t apply. However, in the Costa del Sol, where 60,000 of Spain’s 400,000-plus British expats live, fully one-third made purchases over €1m.

DRILLING THE NUMBERS

Since the launch of the programme in 2013, about 25,000 people have acquired a golden visa.

Over half come from China and Russia, though Russians have now been barred from the program (despite many, as I understand it, getting around the rules in Madrid).

To put that 25,000 in perspective, that is for ten years of the program in total.

Last year Spain welcomed over 300,000 nonEU immigrants in total. That means that the Golden Visa represents less than 1% of residency permits.

The number of approved Golden Visa applications per year is about 2,500,which is a tiny number given that last year over 750,000 properties were purchased.

Foreign buyers were behind only 7% of Spanish home purchases worth over €500,000.

even beginning to sculpt terraces. Wearing a hard hat he talks to project manager Chris Warren about all the key stages needed to ensure that everything from the inside pool to cinema goes to plan. Across one day alone, the site sees an incredible 45 lorries delivering materials

for the one villa. Specific materials are mixed on the site and then taken away for testing in a lab over a month to ensure appropriate strength. The final part of How to Build a Luxury Villa in Zagaleta will air later this year.

So, it makes no sense to claim the visa program is responsible for a lack of affordable housing.

On the other hand, the actual impact on investment and the economy is large.

That’s true not just in terms of the billions that the program brought into the country.

The Golden Visa program has also contributed to the sense that Spain is an attractive investment location, friendly and inviting to foreigners who want to make the country their home.

We know, and I’ve written before, that the Spanish housing market has solid fundamentals. Much more so than, for instance, Sweden or Canada.

But it is vulnerable to negative sentiment in the context of the negative headwinds I discussed above.

If Spain begins to turn an unfriendly face to foreigners, even only the wealthy ones, it could create a further negative inertia in the real estate market.

Hopefully central government will toss the proposal by Más País quickly into the dustbin.

cancelled its

visa programme a small left wing political party in Spain proposes scrapping it here too, writes Adam Neale

HOT OR NOT?

As it approaches its 20th anniversary, Spanish architect Enric Miralles’s Scottish Parliament has been voted the ‘ugliest in the world’. Is this fair, asks Nadia McDonald

AT home, Enric Miralles is seen as one of Spain’s most celebrated architects, with works including the Santa Caterina Market and Natural Gas Building, both in Barcelona.

Abroad however, it is sadly a rather different story, where he has become infamous for designing the much derided Scottish Parliament.

Causing much controversy, the building in Edinburgh, opened by the Queen in 2004, has recently been voted the ugliest in the world by architecture magazine Buildworld.

Described as a ‘disparate and disjointed muddle of concrete and glass’ and a ‘veritable eyesore’, there is no let up on social media or sites like TripAdvisor, where recent reviewers described it as a 'design travesty' and 'monstrosity'.

There is a caveat for poor Enric, how -

ever: The polarising design had been chosen after winning an international design competition, but he died halfway through.

Indeed, he never lived to see the finished product, passing away four years before its inauguration.

From its very outset the building divided opinions, in particular, with the appointment of a non-Scottish national at its helm.

That said, Miralles successfully brought together quintessentially Scottish motifs and local materials to create a tribute to the land and its people.

Despite the long-standing criticism, the architectural world initially looked favourably upon the building winning the Stirling prize for architecture.

The design was actually planned as a ‘mesh of brutalism’, a mix of postmodernism and cubism giving it an ageless quality, a 'dialogue across time', as Miralles described it.

Its deconstructivist style warrants further inspection with its cacophony of shapes, textures and heights.

At first glance the building is more reminiscent of a university campus than as a key political seat, but this self-effacing value creates a sense of a non-hierarchy and openness, while its scattered windows offer up an almost political transparency.

The structure 'heralds a modest democracy rather than anything more politically bombastic', as Claire Wright described it in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) magazine.

ous buildings including the debating chamber. Its ceiling features leafshaped rooflights with oak beams that fragment the light as it penetrates the space, while the steel panels that surround the skylights form a map of the west coast of Scotland. The natural light enjoyed by the lobby is further amplified by the reflective granite from Aberdeenshire. Light and brightness are a part of the building's fabric, as much a material as any other. In the Main Hall, Miralles used vaulted concrete ceilings which were cast in-situ and had abstract designs of the

Saltire cross etched into them. The tapering vaults hold a mysticism with carefully angled lighting casting shadows across the floors, while the acoustics of bustling politics reverberate off their walls.

The debating chamber spans 1,200 square metres with no supporting columns instead supported by oak and stainless-steel beams that form the main focal point of the room.

Seating is arranged in a V-shape promoting a more cooperative politics, in stark contrast to the commons of Westminster where opposition and governing party face each other in a

V-SHAPED:

for

is designed to be less confrontational

Catherine Slessor, of the Architectural Review, meanwhile described the feat as 'a Celtic-Catalan cocktail to blow both minds and budgets’. She added: “It doesn't play safe, energetically mining a new seam of National romanticism refined and reinterpreted for the twenty-first century'. In terms of blowing budgets, that certainly contributed to condemnation of the building, with the final project costing eight times more than the original price projection. Indeed, at £414 million (around €450m) it cost every Scot £85 in tax and ended up being part of a public enquiry, which finally exonerated Miralles.

A birds-eye view of the project reveals stainless steel roofs shaped like upturned boats, inspired by Scotland's coastline. From above it appears as undulating hills, a marker of the country's topography and its famed highlands.

It is expansive in its breadth rather than its height, laying-low so as not to obscure the view of its surroundings, with its different levels allowing for light to enter at every available point. The garden lobby connects the vari-

TERRIBLE TRIPLE

OTHER regulars amongst the world’s ugliest buildings include the pointed and space-like Hotel Ryugyong in North Korea (left), the brutalist concrete FBI headquarters at the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington (above) and the postmodern, lego-esque residential Mirador Building in Madrid (right).

Image © Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Seating

SMPs

FETED CATALAN: Miralle’s designs in Barcelona are much loved

combative fashion.

Next year, the Scottish Parliament building will celebrate its 20th anniversary when further commentary on its 'hot or not' status will be thrown to the fore again.

Miralles was not trying to design a building that would placate public opinion, he wanted to create a timeless statement as practical as it is eye-catching.

Whether it is the world's ugliest building is a matter for the eye of the beholder. Ultimately 'parliament is just a way of sitting together', as Miralles once said, and that is exactly what he achieved.

PAIN FREE

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Put some Sunshine into your next home with a stress-free experience

you through the whole process from start to finish. Sunshine Immo provides you, the buyer or seller, everything that you need to make what can be a stressful process, pain free. It is not limited to the area and can also assist you with properties on the coast. With nearly 20 years’ experience, Sunshine IMMO and their multilingual team will guide you through every step.

They pride themselves with their customer service. You can clearly see this if you take a look online at their customer satisfaction ratings. Sunshine knows+ that all clients’ needs are different, so their team will identify and work with yours. Just give them a call or drop them an email.

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