Barcelona property market heats up
According to the latest figures available from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE), house sales in Catalonia were up 43.4% in March over the same month in 2013. Barcelona accounted for 65.7% of those sales.
Samantha Gore, Sales Director for Sitges-based estate agent uv10.com, explains, “After seven or eight years in the doldrums, life is being breathed back into the Spanish property market with affluent, attractive, accessible places such as Barcelona leading the way. Prices here are as low as they are ever going to be, throwing up some great investment opportunities in one of, if not the best, cities in the Mediterranean.”
Samantha continues, “Barcelona attracts around one quarter of all foreign investment into Spain, largely because of its warm climate and culture, wonderful combination of urban and coastal life, thriving fashion scene and striking architecture. It also helps that Barcelona is well connected to the rest of the continent via motorway and high-speed rail links, as well as boasting excellent flight connections to northern Europe via an airport that is just 15 minutes from the city centre. From luxury million euro plus loft living in El Born to rental apartments in Eixample, Barcelona has an investment and lifestyle opportunity to suit every strategy and wallet.”
“Our clients tend to be cash buyers, sometimes retirees, often families with young children. They are selective about location and won’t buy something ‘just because it is cheap’,” finishes Samantha. “They are seeking a way of life, able to wait for longer-term returns and happy to rent out in the meantime. We are also seeing a growing interest from non-EU buyers looking to take advantage of the 500,000 euro-plus Golden Visa market. For the discerning, Barcelona is now the place to be.”
Not only has the INE reported the vast 43.4% year-on-year rise for house sales in Catalonia, but property portal Idealista recently revealed its list of Spain’s most expensive streets with Barcelona claiming two of the top three spots. In second spot, behind Spain’s most expensive - De Miraconcha in San Sebastian at 9,453€/m² - is the Barcelona seafront Passeig de Garcia Faria at 7,303€/m² and, in third, Passeig de Gracia, one of Barcelona’s most important avenues in the Eixample district, at 6,954€/m². Streets in Madrid and Bilbao round-off the top ten.
On the Market in Barcelona:
Refurbished Loft in El Born
A refurbished loft space in El Born, one of Barcelona’s trendiest tourist spots chock-full of historic buildings hosting funky eateries, cosmopolitan bars and clubs, and independent boutiques. Located on a quiet pedestrianised street overlooking the impressive Mercat del Born - the largest covered square in Europe, home to the ruins of medieval Barcelona - this beautiful apartment is also just ten minutes walk from the beach and 100m from Parc de la Ciutadella with its popular boating lake and zoo. The apartment has been recently renovated to achieve a calm, natural space with contemporary finishes such as polished concrete floors and exposed brickwork, which complement shabby-chic touches such as the exposed beams running throughout the living room and bedrooms. French windows offer great views of the historic Born Market and the spacious open-plan living/dining area leads on to a 50m² light-filled terrace giving a sense of space and openness rarely found the middle of the city. Two interior patios also add light. Available as-is, or as part of a joint purchase with the neighbouring sister apartment for a total of 1.98 million euros (approx 1.61 million GBP). The apartments can be merged to create a huge four bedroom four bathroom apartment of 330m² plus 100m² terrace and three inner patios.
Two Bedrooms, Two Bathrooms
Built area 165m², Terrace size 50m²
Price – 1.15 million euros (approx 936,000 GBP)
New Build Apartments in Eixample
Located just off Passeig de Gràcia, this extremely rare new-build luxury apartment block offers the ultimate in chic city living. Behind an original facade designed by prized architect the late Enric Sagnier, the apartment building has the feel of a five star hotel. These stylish properties with all mod-cons (Neff kitchens, rain showers, video intercom) range in size from 51m² for a one bedroom to 84m² for a two bedroom and come with a choice of layouts, from traditional to “design” where room sizes can be changed by way of sliding doors, to suit your mood. Outdoor spaces range from small balconies to huge terraces for indoor/outdoor living.
Prices from 346,500 euros (approx 281,000 GBP)
For more information, visit uv10.com.
