Terra Meridiana - Introduction to Alcazaba Beach

This is a stunning, five-star, beachfront development. It is one of the most beautiful and prestigious in the Costa del Sol. It has over 26,000 square metres of prize-winning gardens, and a wide range of luxurious properties. All this makes Alcazaba Beach a much sought-after vacation paradise.
Alcazaba Beach was built over several phases that have added to the property and gardens. Because of its beauty, it won the 2007 Architectural Heritage Prize for Urbanisations of Environmental Interest. This is Andalusia’s highest governmental award. It has also won multiple awards for its landscaped tropical gardens.
The property itself is 75,000 square metres that fronts onto 500 metres of beach. It has views across the Mediterranean, all the way to the coast of Africa. Its well-planned layout makes it a walkable, tropical paradise.
WHO WAS THE ARCHITECT AND DEVELOPER OF ALCAZABA BEACH?
Alcazaba Beach was designed by the Bolivian-born, internationally renowned architect Melvin Villarröel. His design philosophy was always focused on emphasizing human space, the natural environment and local design traditions.
The developer of Alcazaba Beach was the Chilean family Leria who are responsible for many luxury developments in Marbella. Alcazaba Beach was the developer’s first foray into Estepona, which in 1988 was far less desirable than it is now (in real estate terms!). At that time, Estepona was just a small, inconspicuous fishing village. It was barely noticeable compared to the glitz and glamour of Marbella. Many thought the Leria family were overly ambitious, if not crazy, to build a fashionable resort of 400 apartments on the beach in such a backwater.
WHERE IS ALCAZABA BEACH LOCATED?
Alcazaba Beach is located at the western extreme of Estepona’s New Golden Mile. This puts it close to the centre of Estepona. It is also just a few hundred metres from the shops and services east of the town. By car or bike, you can get from doorstep to the historic centre of Estepona in ten minutes. By foot, along the waterfront, you can arrive in 30 minutes.
Alcazaba Beach is also situated close to the Kempinski Hotel. The new Laguna Village is a mere 10-minute walk away. It is also just a short stroll to Trocadero beach restaurant. All properties are just steps from the beach. The development lies just two kilometres from exit 157 of the AP7 toll road. It also connects with the Avenida Litoral and A7 coastal road. This places Gibraltar’s and Malaga’s international airports less than an hour away.
The urbanisation is well placed to make the most of Estepona’s growing list of attractions. These include the new Orchidarium and botanical park. There is also the Felipe VI Auditorium (the largest theatre on the coast). In addition, there are a wide variety of bars, restaurants, and stores that fill the whitewashed streets of the town’s historic centre.
WHEN WAS ALCAZABA BEACH BUILT?
The property is a first-line beachfront development. The first phase apartments, built in the 1980s, look out directly over the Mediterranean oceanfront. The fourth and final phase of apartments were built in 2007.
HOW MANY APARTMENTS ARE THERE IN ALCAZABA BEACH?
Alcazaba Beach has over 300 apartments of various sizes and types distributed over 4 phases. You will find 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom apartments, penthouses, and duplex penthouses. The size of properties begins around 100 square metres and goes up to over 180 square metres.
WHAT TYPE OF PROPERTIES ARE THERE ON ALCAZABA BEACH?
Phases I-III are the oldest properties in Alcazaba Beach. They do not have underground parking or lifts. A few of these apartments do have underground storage rooms. In original-condition apartments the bathrooms and floors are fitted with grey marble. They also have windows that are single glazed. In traditional manner, kitchens are separated from the main living room. All apartments have integrated, centrally controlled air conditioning and an alarm system as standard. Many apartments have been completely refurbished and have new marble, double glazing, underfloor heating, individual thermostat-controlled air conditioning. Some have been converted to open-concept kitchens/living room layouts, etc.
Phase IV is the newest phase and dates from 2007. Apartments in this phase come with underground parking and storage rooms. They have modern features such as underfloor heating in the bathrooms and double-glazed windows.
WHAT ARE THE PROPERTY PRICES IN ALCAZABA BEACH?
There are a wide range of prices available, depending on location and size. These start from under €500,000 to over €1,500,000. Larger properties and those closest to the beach are the most expensive. Most units on the ground and first floor are 2-bedrooms. The 3-bedroom units are reserved for some penthouses. There do exist 3-bedroom ground floor units, but these are rare. It is possible to convert corner 2-bedroom apartments into 3-bedroom apartments.
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[@paulmohr4755]

Dear Adam, great video. You are saying that the urbanization is one of your top 10 favorites. it would be fantastic if you could tell us what the others are. Thanks and regards

[@TerrameridianaRealEstate]

Hi Paul, thank you for watching the video and your feedback. In all honesty I probably have more than 10! I will limit my answer to front line beach urbanisations to compare with Alcazaba Beach based on the rule where you buy is just as important (or more important?) as what you buy.
Estepona:
Cabo Bermejo - another villaroel designed complex, has to be one of the best run communities on the coast (with community fees to match)
El Coral - an unusual complex architecturally designed by Augustin Vioque, situated on playa del cristo beach, small community with gardens and a pool and access to the beach, what more do you need?
Los Granados del Mar - Espacio development designed by Dorronsoro architects - one of the few communities built in the last 20 years to offer residents large green community spaces, indoor pool and restaurant. Apartments are very spacious, some suffer from road noise.
Venalmar - small townhouse (a few apartments) development situated in Benamara on a nice beach, good sized homes with private gardens. Low density development with communal pool.
Sotogrande:
Valgrande - ok a cheat, this is not on the beach - classical style architecture close to Valderrama, lots of pool areas and gardens, indoor pool and spa and like Monteros Playa below designed as small villas containing several apartments giving a low density feel to the development.
Edificio 10 - old school development situated right on the beach, villa size apartments with private pools and large communal gardens, take the water taxi to the port in Summer
Marbella:
Japanese Gardens, Puente Romano - another villaroel complex - what an incredible investment if you had managed to purchase 5-10 years ago, Beautiful gardens and pool area right on the beach on the Golden Mile.
Los Granados, Phase II, Puerto Banus - another Espacio / Dorronsoro collaboration, small development walking distance to Puerto Banus but not in the madness, concierge service, beautiful gardens inc indoor pool. Ground floors and penthouses often have private pools. One of the few urbanisations with decent living room sizes, unfortunately for cost reasons most apartments are built with narrow living rooms, these are much wider.
Gran Marbella - Old school complex like a residential building in Madrid but situated on the beach in downtown Marbella. Everything is on your doorstep and you can overlook the sea or park to the west, concierge service, apartments are old and in some cases need upgrading.
Los Monteros Playa - Gorgeous gardens, palatial size apartments in a classical style built as individual villas comprising several apartments on probably the best beach in Marbella.

[@paulmohr4755]

@@TerrameridianaRealEstate Thank you so much for your recommendations. I will get back to you as soon as we are ready to invest! Paul