foothills of the Tramuntana Mountains for the past 20 years, ` chartering the estate out when I'm not using the property' . It could suit a family prepared to do the same, or planning permission could be sought to turn it into a full-time residence. Famous visitors to Son Net include Claudia Schiffer, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, the Kennedys and members of the Spanish and Scandinavian royal families. Older buyers look to add value to a villaÐ
designs, easy-to-maintain materials and constructing somewhere for children to play.
` Seven years ago, the average buyer was a 60-something couple wanting a tranquil and private property to use only in spring and autumn. Nowadays, we have parents in their forties demanding fewer stairs, safer terraces, under-floor heating and air- conditioning in villas that they can use all year round,' points out Daniel Chavarría Waschke from Engel & Völkers. Good country estates are attracting atten-
tion, too. Mr Chavarría Waschke is selling Son Net, one of the most expensive estates in Mallorca, on the market at €35 million. Dating back to 1672, when a pirate-turned- nobleman was granted the land as a reward for helping fight off the Moors, it' s now owned by American entrepreneur David Stein, the founder of Stein Hotels & Resorts. Mr Stein has much enjoyed living in this boutique hotel with his family in the
FOR SALE
€3.35m
Sa Coma
Seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom villa with games room, pool and Jacuzzi at Bunyola, 10 minutes north of Palma
Cluttons Mallorca (00 34 971 725 272; www.
cluttonsmallorca.com)
FOR SALE
€7.35m
Sa Casa Nova
A 16th-century finca with an old amphitheatre and
a guest house Cluttons Mallorca (00 34 971 725 272;
www.cluttonsmallorca.com)
updating the kitchen and giving bathrooms a faceliftÐ but many younger families simply want to move somewhere already immaculate where they don' t have to expend time or energy on major renovations. In the current economic climate, they want the safety net of owning a home that will retain its value in case they need to sell rapidly and move on, according to Julian Cunning- ham from Knight Frank International. One good example is a five-bedroom-suite water- front villa with views over the bay of Camp de Mar and private sea access, currently for sale at €5.9 million (facing page, top). ` Two guest or staff annexes, a double garage, lift, underfloor heating and air-conditioning make this ideal for a family requiring plenty of space and flexibility,' says Peter Hilton
FOR SALE
€5.5m
Santa Ponsa Nova
Six-bedroom villa set back from Ponsa golf course with three bedroom suites and a games room
Savills (020± 7016 3740;
www.savills. com/abroad)
from Chesterton Humberts in Mallorca. Those courageous enough to take on
a more complicated project deeper in the countryside are well advised to consult a good builder or architect in the area. Rules and regulations change from province to province, explains Amy Baillargeon from Cluttons Mallorca. ` For instance, if you' re buying on the north coast, it can be more complex to buy a villa that isn' t finished.' However, not everyone desires the res-
ponsibility of a large rural property thought to be a bit remote. Apartments in taste- fully renovated old buildings in the heart of Palma are drawing those that want to be close to the opera, cinemas, theatres and shops. A two-bedroom apartment in the Old Town
www.countrylife.co.uk/international
Country Life International, Summer 2010 71
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