Gecko Towers
A simple truth is that unless we consider our actions and their impact on the Earth, the world we leave will be increasingly unfit for habitation by our children, grandchildren and our decedents. Individually, we may feel powerless to halt the enormity of damage being done by heavy industry around the world, but as Chairman Mao Tse Tung advised, “the longest journey starts with a single step”. We have a responsibility to do what we can!
For many years the building ’Crane’ has been described as the National Bird of the Spanish Costas! As I write, there is currently a lot of new development being snapped up, in part, by those from Northern Europe looking for their bolt-hole in the sun. The demand slackened off in the decade between 2008 – 2018 but its seriously back.
Many who journey into the Costa del Sol property market will hear the anglicized expression, a “reforma” which is a corruption of a Spanish expression meaning “renovation”. A bit of a fixer upper!
While I won’t criticize those who buy a property that is the realization of an architect and developer’s vision for a particular location, I would like you to carefully consider whether a model, that embraces the ideas of Reuse and Recycling, is perhaps appropriate for your needs? Making good an existing property to suit their needs allows the new owner to place their stamp on a property making it more individual in the process. Whether it is reconfiguring an existing footprint to modernize or demolishing and rebuilding to realize a more practical use of the plot, the blank canvass that an existing property offers may be both a challenge and hugely satisfying. In the process of redevelopment environmentally sensitive elements can be also be considered such as insulation, smart materials, alternative power sources and non-acidic pool water filtration.
There are several wonderful beachside urbanizations that have grown up along the La Cala de Mijas to Casares stretch of the Costa del Sol – approximately twenty minutes to half an hour by car either side of Marbella – over the last fifty or so years. They tend to be smaller villas, often without pools, but on reasonable sized plots of around 500m3 and 750m3. Similarly, a good starting point may be an “adosado” or town house from a similar era.
These properties were invariably built in traditional ways to ensure the inside was cool withstanding hot summers as they tended to be owned by city dwellers from Madrid, Seville or Malaga who would seek refuge from the heat during the summer months. This would often mean the use of terra cotta tiles – often rather elaborate flooring – some wood and white washed walls inside and out.
These picturesque smaller properties may present the new owner with the raw material to realise their own dream home in the sun. In various discussions in recent months property purchasers have shared their checklist with me as to what they are looking for – and while I am not an Estate Agent – it is interesting to note that these buyers may best achieve their goals by the renovation of an existing property.
High on their checklist appears to be a preferred location away from high rise apartments with noisy swimming pools in the height of the summer months, a reasonable proximity to the beach, an ability to lock up and leave for some months at a time, an opportunity to see some rental returns to assist with running costs and some sense of control over maintenance costs.
I am not going to pretend that the renovation of a property doesn’t bring with it an element of fear. The word most mentioned at the prospect of undertaking such a project is “trust”. As in who can the new owner “trust” to: undertake renovation and rebuilding work; ensure that the work is correctly licensed and controlled by the Town Hall; ensure that the quality of the work undertaken is satisfactory; who can be relied upon to continue to manage the property including the new pool on a year round basis and who can be entrusted with the job of key holding, marketing and managing the property for rental use. These are typical queries and sadly there are no simple answers.
There are a plethora of architects, builders, ‘arquitecto tecnico’ – a valuable ally – plumbers, carpenters, electricians and swimming pool technicians all well established and seeking the new owners instruction. There are relatively few who would be recommended and the process is not dissimilar to that undertaken in the owner‘s home market. It requires some faith but a lot of questioning and assurance that sums paid follow and reflect the stage of work satisfactorily completed. I buy into a basic “Rogues don’t flourish” philosophy meaning that if a tradesperson – regardless of their nationality – can show you real examples of their work and have existing clients who are pleased to show you what work they have done for them, then you start to whittle down who you’d be keen to engage to provide you with relevant services.
What can be very exciting in such a re-building project is the prospect of using extensively available architectural salvage. Seeking out supplies of marble, stone, wooden doors, frames, iron work, antique tiling and flooring all of which will find a fabulous new use in a renovated property can add to the fun of the redevelopment. There are several architectural salvage yards along the coast but you would do well to seek out those in Córdoba, Jerez and Seville where prices should be a little more competitive for items of quality.
Should you be interested in discussing the Legal process 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.
Please note that our posts are for general interest. They are 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.
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