Sotogrande

Sotogrande
Sotograndeaerialview
Residential area
Coordinates: 36°16′42″N 5°17′24″W / 36.27833°N 5.29000°W / 36.27833; -5.29000Coordinates: 36°16′42″N 5°17′24″W / 36.27833°N 5.29000°W / 36.27833; -5.29000
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Andalusia
Province Cádiz
Comarca Campo de Gibraltar
Municipality San Roque
Established 1964
Population (2009)
 • Total 2,584
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 11310
Official language(s) Spanish
Website Official website

Sotogrande is the largest privately owned residential development in Andalusia. Originally a gated community, it is located in the municipality of San Roque, Cádiz, Spain, southern Europe and is composed of a 20 square kilometres (8 sq mi) stretch from the Mediterranean Sea 25 km east of Gibraltar, back into the foothills of Sierra Almenara, providing contrasting views of sea, hills, cork forests and green fairways, including the Rock of Gibraltar and Morocco.

Some of the richest and most powerful families of Spain have summer homes in Sotogrande.[1] Regulars and inhabitants of Sotogrande include Sir Peter Caruana, former Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Tony Blair, Emilio Botín, Ana Rosa Quintana,[2] Royal Shakespeare Company actor Mike Gwilym,[3] as well as HRH Prince Louis Alphonse, Duke of Anjou, the legitimist pretender to the throne of France.[4][5]

History

Sotogrande was established by the generous couple Joseph Rafael McMicking y Ynchausti, an heir to the Philippine multi-national conglomerate Ynchausti y Compañia, and, Mercedes Zobel de Ayala y Roxas, of the prominent Zobel de Ayala family, both are Spanish Filipino.

The Zobels, having seen the idyllic coasts in 1962, bought five neighbouring farms, with the idea of creating a luxurious residential development by the Mediterranean. McMicking succeeded in creating what has become one of the most luxurious urbanizations in Europe, in May 2006 it was featured in The Times as having the most expensive homes in Europe.[6] The jet set appeal of Sotogrande lies in the natural beauty of the site, enhanced by the early landscaping, planting of avenues of palm and conifer trees, underground infrastructure and wide, two-lane roads. There are a number of artificial lakes and 5 golf courses, including the world-famous Valderrama, created by Jaime Ortiz-Patiño[7] and the San Roque course.

Architecture

Sotogrande is well known as an architectural showcase on the Costa del Sol, with styles varying from the traditional Andalucian to mid century modern, all the way through 21st century design and even more unusual designs, including moorish/mudejar style homes and even a Swiss chalet. In 2008 the local government declared three buildings as of cultural interest, protecting them from reform or demolition. These architectural gems were the Biddle House, by Francisco Javier Carvajal, the Zóbel house by José Antonio Coderch, and the Real Club de Golf by Luis Gutierrez Soto.[8]

Sport

Today, Sotogrande is renowned for its varied sporting facilities. It has five golf courses in Europe, Valderrama Golf Club host to the European Tour's Volvo Masters and the 1997 Ryder Cup, the Club Real de Golf, Almenara, La Reserva, La Cañada and a Golf Academy; 6 world famous Polo fields owned by the Santa María Polo Club; two Tennis and Padel Tennis Clubs and the SotoTennis Academy; the Raquet Centre which specializes in padel tennis and the Octogano which specializes in tennis, a rugby club and two Beach Clubs (Cucurucho,Octogano); a Kayak / Sailing Club, Riding stables and a busy marina.

Nature

River Guadiaro and Estuary, Sotogrande, a natural area of 27 hectares and the only marshland on this part of the coast, has been designated as an Andalusian National Park, Wildlife and Nature Reserve. A series of pathways has been constructed, with information boards explaining the natural area, enabling nature lovers unobstructed views of the estuary, its wildlife and in particular the migratory birds, on their route to and from Africa.

Economy

Sotogrande seems to have kept its head above the crisis. Finanzas, a Spanish finance publication, says that whilst prices in other areas of the Costa del Sol have taken a fall to the tune of -11.4% in Torremolinos, -10.99% in Fuengirola, -7.4% in Manilva, -5-5% in Casares and -3.4% in Mijas Costa. In Sotogrande average property prices have remained the same or increased, in some cases up to 45%. This phenomenon is attributed to the financial status of the residents of the urbanization.[9]

Marina

Sotogrande marina has a taxi boat service during the summer season.

References

  1. ↑ "Spanish Resorts: Sotogrande, Costa del Sol". Retrieved 2012-08-02.
  2. ↑ "Todo sobre CALLEJEROS | Reportajes en". Cuatro.com. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  3. ↑ "La Revista de Sotogrande". Issuu.com. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  4. ↑ "Luis Alfonso De Borbon And Margarita Vargas Are… Fotografía de noticias | Getty Images España | 103766561". Gettyimages.es. 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  5. ↑ Warner, Gerald (2010-05-29). "French royalists celebrate the birth of twin sons to Louis XX, rightful King of France – Telegraph Blogs". Blogs.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  6. ↑ "Spanish gold - Times Online". Property.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  7. ↑ "The 50 best golf courses - Outdoor & Activity - IndyBest". The Independent. 2010-04-10. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  8. ↑ "El Periódico de Sotogrande" (in Spanish). Issuu.com. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  9. ↑ Housing prices come down, but not for the rich: Sotogrande records hikes of 45%. blevinfranks.com

External links

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