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The ‘California of Europe’: a long development process
The Málaga coastal area we know today has been the subject of a long
development process, with a gradual evolution towards privileged
enclaves overflowing with colour, light and joy. The story of this
development is undoubtedly related to Torremolinos and to its main
airport, El Rompedizo. It was here where the first charter flights
landed, bringing with them the first tourists. However, it was not
until the end of the 1950s and into the early 1960s that we
witnessed a true tourism boom. This was demonstrated with the
inauguration in 1959 of the first luxury hotel, El Pez Espada of
Torremolinos. It hosted such stars as Orson Welles, Frank Sinatra
and Julio Iglesias. Its further expansion was prompted by Marbella’s
growth in the 1970s where Alfonso de Hohenlohe played an exceptional
role. Lola Flores, Gunilla Von Bismark, Baron Thyssen, James
Stewart, Gina Lollobrigida, Rock Hudson, Ari Onassis, Maria Callas
and King Fahd typified its unique story.
Forty five years ago, Marbella was an agricultural village of 10,000
with a modest mining industry. The full-time permanent residents
today are 100,000 beside its floating population.
With its international renown as the jewel of the Costa del Sol, its
20 kilometres of coastline comprise quality developments with their
infrastructure, cultural centres, sporting facilities and golf
courses, Marbella is a desirable and very hospitable city where
everybody wants to live. The modern look and appearance of Marbella
has not affected the presence of architectural Arabic and later
remains. A variety of people, estates and landscapes join themselves
to the roots of its rich history.
The Banús challenge
Only six kilometres from the Old Town of Marbella is Puerto Banús,
now one of the world’s leading upmarket tourist centres. Nominated
as a National Tourist Centre of Interest, it has many supporters
defining it as the flagship of the Mediterranean. Its development
started in 1967 and has made it, since its very inception, the
biggest and most envied leisure harbour in Europe.
Currently the harbour can accommodate 915 boats. Owing to the
administrative requirements of the Administration, its expansion
took until 1998 to materialise. It is still continuing. The new
projects foresees an increase of 380-400 new mooring berths for
boats from 15-100 metres in length, as well as one for supercruisers.
Strolling along the harbour one can see the best yachts in the world
anchored or moored and the last models of cars from all latitudes,
parked along its avenues.
Costa del Golf, the most dynamic coast of the ‘Mediterranean Arch’
This is the reason why Marbella became one of the favourite
destinations of internationally renowned singers and artistes. It
was why Europeans, many of whom were British and German, decided to
purchase a second residence. Analysts have expressed the opinion
that the coast will, in the near future, become the privileged place
for retirees from the whole of Europe. The most adventurous theory
is that it is the ideal place to combine a home on the Costa and
work elsewhere in Europe.
Another attraction of this area is its numerous golf courses. They
are closely associated with the sporting tourist but there are many
other activities such as nautical sports and horse riding on offer
for the traditional tourist. However, golf will probably remain as
undoubtedly the most appreciated factor for those electing to
relocate and live here.
Also, only six kilometres from the Old Town, you will find an area
of great beauty adjoining the sea. It is Golf Rio Real, one of the
longest established golf courses and characterised by the impressive
beauty of its environment and its respectful integration into the
natural environment. Inaugurated in 1965, the 18 holes were designed
by Javier Arena who made good use of the gentle natural slopes,
thereby enabling golfers to enjoy extraordinary views.
The development. Alminara Golf
There is a tremendous opportunity to enjoy a lifestyle of quality
located in this unique environment. Alminara Golf is an exclusive
Project from the company Alminara Promociones, a Madrid-based
corporation with broad experience in the construction of residential
and office buildings as characterised by their high quality. They
relocated to the Costa del Sol three years ago with this project in
mind. Owing to the necessity of obtaining all the necessary permits,
it will be delivered within a maximum period of two years.
The complex of 24 apartments is located as “frontline golf”. Each
one boasts a garage and a store room and its design respects the
light and open spaces that characterise the Mediterranean style.
Their views to the sea and the greens of the Río Real Golf Club,
their proximity to the exclusive boutiques of Puerto Banús and their
luxuriant semi-tropical gardens with waterfalls and swimming-pools
count among the many enjoyable attractions of this development. In
this superb project we have highlighted luxurious and pleasant
qualities. These include such items as reinforced main access doors,
marble floors and skirting of the highest quality throughout the
dwellings, fitted wardrobes, bathrooms with electric underfloor
heating and fully equipped kitchens.
In addition, the layout and siting of the dwellings has been
carefully studied – there is a hydro-massage bathtub in the main
bathroom, a fireplace and chimney in the living room and a safe in
the bedroom. All these details can play a decisive role at the time
of choosing your property.
If we agree that the Costa del Sol is much more than just sun, sea
and sand we also suggest that its future is also assured by other
sectors such as its Rural Tourism, Congresses and Conventions,
nautical activities, cruises, health and beauty. Cultural activities
and the learning of many other languages are exciting possibilities
to keep in mind whenever you hear mention of the Costa del Sol, the
Costa of Golf and of the emotions, light and colours where life
takes on another meaning.
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