Simply Spain
Words: Edward Chamberlin As tourists gingerly discover the unspoilt wonders of Murcia, Polaris World is ready to accommodate them ANCIENT AND MYSTERIOUS, the history of Murcia in Spain tells a story of Carthaginiantrading posts, Moorish caliphates and waxing and waning empires. However, this dramatic history is not readily apparent in the lush hills, colourful fruits [...]
Words: Edward Chamberlin
As tourists gingerly discover the unspoilt wonders of Murcia, Polaris World is ready to accommodate them
ANCIENT AND MYSTERIOUS, the history of Murcia in Spain tells a story of Carthaginiantrading posts, Moorish caliphates and waxing and waning empires.
However, this dramatic history is not readily apparent in the lush hills, colourful fruits and glistening beaches of the region, which bask in more hours of sunlight per year than anywhere else in Europe. Yet somehow Murcia, which is just a short drive south from Alicante, has remained relatively undiscovered by tourists. And what tourism does exist has done none of the damage to the Spanish landscape that other regions have unfortunately suffered.
Property developer Polaris World, which has offi ces in London and Dublin, is keen to keep things unspoilt. "We identifi ed what the trend in vacation homes of the 21st century would be," states José Luis Hernández, the company’s CEO. "Trying to anticipate our customers’ wishes, we planned to create something that would fulfi l these requirements."
One can only assume that the former corporate lawyer anticipated correctly as, since launching in 2001, Polaris World has gone from dealing in a mere 150 square metres to selling over 10,000 properties. "The fi rst year we sold approximately 400 properties. By the next year it was 1,500 and it just kept growing," says Hernández. "This year we expect around 3,000."
Polaris World’s newbuild properties range from £80,000, 70 metre-square two-bedroom apartments, to £1m, 400 metre-square luxury villas. Hardly London prices, so to speak, and this is part of the attraction, but Hernández believes other developers have priced themselves out of the market. "Competitors have raised prices to such an extent that buyers no longer think that they are getting value for money."
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They" appear to be predominantly Brits, followed by Spaniards, with a smattering of Scandinavian and German buyers. Hernández makes no bones about trying to attract more Brits to Murcia: "The British are traditionally one of the most demanding of properties in Spain. They love all elements of Spanish culture, gastronomy and landscape, and we have bet a lot on the British market." By a lot, we are referring to the £14m devoted to penetrating the British market and a further £3m on a television advertising campaign this year. Many customers are second-home buyers, often retirees, moving to a more summery climate in their autumn years, but Hernández has noticed many young families making a break from it all and starting businesses in Spain. And with all the new residents of Murcia, the spectrum of Polaris World’s services has spread beyond mere housing. Polaris World Homestyle is an affi liated company that provides furniture to new buyers; it also operates several garden care centres, property management companies and a vacation club allowing buyers to rent out their properties while they are away. With the addition of hotels, restaurants, sporting facilities and a robust infrastructure between these elements, Polaris resorts are tending towards becoming small towns in their own right. And buyers are fl ocking to inhabit them.
This is all good news for Polaris World (and buyers), but aren’t we in danger of seeing this beautiful region fall foul of overdevelopment, as has happened in other Mediterranean resorts? Hernández insists not, thanks to Murcia’s conscientious environmental laws.
"Murcia is probably one of the regions in Spain with the most restrictive environmental laws when it comes to real estate development," Hernández explains. "For example, this is the only region where no new developments can be planned closer than 500m from the sea or in places where you have hills or mountains even if the slope is very light."
The philosophy behind these restrictions is to preserve the authentic elements of the Spanish landscape. Too often, overzealous developments intended to meet tourists’ demands result in a distinctly un-Spanish atmosphere. However, one change to the landscape is being welcomed: Murcia’s golf courses. The golfi ng attraction of the region has been cemented by drafting in Jack Nicklaus. Aside from his achievements in the sport, Nicklaus is one of the world’s most renowned golf course designers: 45 of the world’s 100 best golf courses have been designed by him. Now Nicklaus is collaborating with Polaris World to create seven golf courses, all within 40 square kilometres, to be completed over the next two years.
"He is very motivated and has brought in his two sons, who also design golf courses," states Hernández. "So it’s not only a professional thing but also has family involvement." Over the next 15 years, Polaris World plans to build a further 25,000 homes in Spain. But rest assured that when fl ying into Alicante, the views of Murcia will remain as alluring as ever.
