Gecko Towers
There was a time when potential property buyers in the Marbella region were confronted with just three relatively simple choices.
With the 1970’s and 80’s the development of apartment blocks (pisos) was in full swing and while there were echos of tradition with terra cotta roof tiles and pastel or white painted walls, the architecture wasn’t particularly appealing. In fact much was really gopping with the experimental use of concrete techniques that was unappealing and hasn’t worn well. What were the Planning Departments up to, didn’t they impose any aesthetic hurdles to these constructions?
There were town house (adosado) developments often near too or facing in the general direction of the beach. They tended to be bought by Spanish nationals who, having spent much of their lives in City environments in Seville or Madrid, they yearned for a plot with a small garden sufficient to house a barbecue and a paddling pool.
The third option were low rise villas (casitas) built in the early 1960’s as summer cottages for the national market with white-washed but pebble dashed walls, often very beautiful terra cotta floors, some lovely uses of wood but invariably with bad plumbing and electrics. Many were clustered in small urbanization close to the beach.
The late 1990’s saw a boom in the property development with much of the western Costa del Sol being urbanized into communities of varying levels of quality and curb appeal. Some golf facing or located property, both apartments and villas blossomed and continue to be appealing. While others, often located on steep hills thereby delivering sea views were less pleasing.
Many of the villa developments were in a style that can best be described as ‘faux maroc” with extensive use of terra cotta, tiling and courtyards. Many of these properties continue to appeal and tend to offer the more recent purchaser as an interesting tableau to substantially renovate into simply beautiful properties, often with stunning views.
The turn of the millennium and the subsequent financial crisis stopped both Spanish and national property developers in their tracks. It caused them to rethink about the products they were designing and constructing. This has led to a growth in more minimalistic glass, high ceiling and a boxier straight sided style that has heavily drawn on the architecture of Northern European cities of Germany, Scandinavia and the UK. Combine these properties with wooden floors and infinity swimming pools and they are very attractive the new markets of Costa del Sol buyers.
Even during the blight of the Covid Years, a mini-boom has been seen and the mechanical crane is once again the “National Bird of the Costas”!
The Belgian and the Dutch buyers, who like many Spanish purchasers are led to the new Marbella market by a desire to not have an apartment like back home. To have a small almost plunge-pool and manageable garden seem to heavily feature in their buying aspirations.
The area that is described as “the New Golden Mile”, between San Pedro de Alcantara and Estepona and beyond, has witnessed the development of some stunning new and hugely creative looking apartments many of which are beach/sea facing and, I am told finished to an exceptionally high level of quality and detail. These beachside developments are as good as can be seen anywhere with fine architectural qualities, proving to the potential purchaser with exacting requirements that the developers are clearly savvy to their market. The asking prices reflect this internationalization of the finished product.
Other more enterprising buyers are drawn to the prospect of taking on a renovation or new build project. The infrastructure of trusted professional including architects, technical architects (a professional responsibility more readily discharged in the UK by a Quantity Surveyor) and tried and tested builders have provided a ready resource to turn an aged or dilapidated property or a viable plot into a saleable commodity. This may be for the purchaser’s own use but a profit may also exists for the purchaser provided the right price is paid for the property with a seller having realistic aspirations for their disposal.
God only made so much Costa del Sol, so there is often a premium, particularly for a sea view that for many UK purchasers is a pre-requisite to their purchase in the Marbella region. There are slightly inland prospects that should not be ignored particularly if your dream is to raise citrus trees, to stable horses or to grow avocados but the coast is the draw for many as it is hand in glove with golf courses and/or a myriad of sea or beach based entertainments.
Should you be interested in discussing the processes involved in buying a property in the Marbella region, we would be delighted to assist you. Our team of bi-lingual, highly experienced and wholly independent team of Abogados are ready to help you.
Please call me, Mark FR Wilkins, during usual business hours on +34 600 343 917 or, if you prefer, or e-mail me at mark@roslegal.es
Please note that our posts are for general interest. They is no substitute for proper legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances as provided by a qualified Abogado who is experienced in the application of the Spanish Law.
© Mark FR Wilkins 2021. All rights reserved.