Mallorca

La isla bonita

G

HOSTLY, half-finished apartments haunting the Spanish coastline have become a symbol of the hous- ing crash. But it seems unfair to

bracket the overdeveloped Costas with high- end homes on the sophisticated Balearic island of Mallorca, where prices have gene- rally held and buyers are still eager. `Mallorca is a different animal from main-

land Spain,' explains Robert Maunder from First Mallorca. `With four-fifths of the isle unpopulated and daily flights from the UK, including a new British Airways service from London City Airport beginning this

month, there is a good deal of interest in €350,000± €600,000 apartments and multi- million-Euro villas there.' A new trend for families choosing to

spend most or all of their time on the island means that there is even more demand for roomy apartments and villas, adds Mr Maunder. `The breadwinner commutes back to Britain for about a week each month,

70 Country Life International, Summer 2010

The glittering island of Mallorca in the sun-kissed Mediterranean hasn' t entirely escaped the clutches of the downturn, but, as more and more families choose to base themselves there, its future looks bright, says Cheryl Markosky

working here the rest of the time on a lap- top. Being close to good medical facilities and one of the island' s five international schools are critical requirements.' Three areas appeal to affluent buyers,

believes Michael Cunnington from Savills' affiliate MJC Associates: the south-west around Andratx with fine ocean views and homes on golf courses; more traditional Deià and Sóller in the north-west, where you find a number of older fincas; and Formentor in the north, attractive to fami- lies looking for larger plots overlooking the unspoilt bay. Mr Cunnington recommends renting a property firstÐ `a good way to determine the right sort of property and area for you' . Anyone sending children to an international school typically resides no further than 20 minutes from the capital city of Palma, a mini version of Barcelona dating back to the 14th century. Requests for more family friendly homes are leading builders to think about open-plan

FOR SALE

€5.9m

Camp de Mar

Waterfront, traditional- style villa with views over

the bay Chesterton Humberts (020± 3040 8210; www.chestertonhumberts.com)

FOR SALE

€2.9m

Puerto Andratx

Hillside villa with views over the port, infinity pool, guest

apartment and home office Savills (020±

7016 3740; www.savills.co.uk/abroad)

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