Filed under: News
We have been waiting long for it but finally the final step has been made in the aproval of Marbella´s urbanistic plan. It has taken almost eight years to get this done! We wonder why, but that is an other subject. There is only a group of seven homes/projects that have been left out of the plan, so there is not a reason for everyone to be happy.
Although critisized by some whe think that the final aproval gives direction and security for the future. A huge step forward can be made on the infrastructural installments of the town and it will be easier to obtain building licenses from now on. Although it is a shame the seven projects could not be included 17.000 houses that had some sort of urbanistic ´problem´have been consolidated in the new plan.
The town will triple it´s free public spaces and makes room for an investment of approx. € 1.800 million euro in eight years. Please read the full article at Diario Sur
Filed under: News
The owners of the Hotel La Quinta Golf Resort & Spa have signed a pre-agreement for the management of the hotel with the Sol Melia group. The Hotel La Quinta was managed by Starwood under the Westin brand up until now.
Sol Melia will take over the management and run the hotel under its brand “Melia” starting from the month of January. This will give it time to establish the brand until March, when the reopening for the season begins.
The new deal, will mean that Sol Melia will have three hotels in Marbella, including the Gran Melia Don Pepe and the Melia Marbella Dinamar. The Hotel La Quinta has 172 rooms.
Spanishnews.es
Filed under: News
Marbella — For decades, Marbella has been an international hub for both business and pleasure. Marbella’s unique demographics and smart-casual atmosphere have made it a center for the entrepreneurial spirit that is well established and growing in Spain.
Because of its international reputation and appeal, Marbella attracts millions of tourists and hundreds of thousands of English-speakers of different nationalities who decide to make Marbella their permanent home, including many celebrities. They come here for night life, excitement, and leisure, but many also come seeking opportunities for business and learning. In the past 50 years, Marbella has seen countless hotels, golf courses, developments, international schools, as well as other businesses set up, and now the launch of an English-speaking University.
Marbella University is the first and only English-speaking University in the South of Spain. With a state-of-the art educational program based on the most advanced knowledge and didactics, it will offer 3-year Bachelor degrees as well as a 1-year diploma program. The diploma program provides students with general understanding of people, human life, business, and society through a “stimulating, mind-opening curriculum,” says the University spokesperson. The diploma program also allows students to start Marbella University’s Bachelor programs, in the case that they don’t already have an IB, A-level, or equivalent diploma. In addition, Marbella University’s Bachelor programs include areas of study such as Business Administration, Communication & Public Relations, Tourism, Journalism, and Psychology. The curriculum meets the highest educational standards, and fits the needs and desires of Spain’s up-and-coming professionals. All Marbella University Bachelor programs are in line with the Treaty of Bologna’s educational requirements and curriculum standards.
In Marbella, people enjoy a unique quality of life, safety, and international appeal. The Costa del Sol is virtually free of pollution, has extremely low rates of crime, and is in close proximity to rich cultural cities like Granada, Seville and Cadiz. All these factors and more make Marbella the perfect place to study for those who want a true international experience that is as fulfilling as it is enlightening.
For more in
formation about the launch of Marbella University, or its programs and admission requirements, visit MarbellaUniversity.com.
Spanishnews.es
Filed under: News
The fall in Spanish house prices is easing, according to new figures.
The decline in values of Spanish property fell at a slower pace in the first quarter, dropping 4.5%.
But the market is still some way from turning positive, government data showed.
The year-on-year decline in the first three months of the year, according to data released by the Housing Ministry, was a small improvement from a 6.2% annual fall at the end of 2009.
Prices were falling by a record rate of 8.2% in the second quarter of last year.
The data was in line with a private report by surveyor Tinsa which said house prices fell at an annual rate of 5.5% in February, the same as in January.
The figures are thought to mask far greater declines in frothier parts of the Spanish property market, particularly in the Costas where as many as 600,000 Britons live. Many cashed in on property gains at home to buy in Spain, pushing up prices locally.
Spain saw one of the biggest booms in house prices, with values rising three-fold between 1995 and 2007, according to the Housing Ministry.
The average number of housing starts in Spain in the final stage of the boom years was 700,000 per year yet the population has only been rising by about 600,000 per year, according to ratings agency S&P. Britain’s rate of building, in contrast peaked at 160,000 in 2007.
The credit crunch, sparked by bad mortgage lending, that began in 2007 and led to global recession has had a dramatic impact on Spain. The ending of the construction boom has sent the unemployment rate soaring to 20%.
Demand for property in areas dominated by Britons has also been further undermined by the falling value of the pound in the past 18 months, which has made life more expensive for expats and also made it more expensive for potential buyers.
Almost four million Brits living around the globe are planning a mass return to home shores, according to some estimates.
Last week a Reuters poll predicted Spanish house prices would fall by 8% this year and the slide would continue in 2011 before stabilising the year after.
