It may not be currently featuring on the radar for many overseas property buyers and investors, but the Spanish city of Barcelona is fast earning a reputation as being a big budget destination for property investors looking for something special.
The city’s reputation as an ultimate lifestyle destination has been enhanced following an influx of super rich real estate investors, looking to expand their portfolios beyond traditional property hotspots such as New York, Paris and London.
In the last few years, real estate firm Lucas Fox International Properties has seen increasing numbers of clients with budgets of more than 10 million Euros, keen to add Barcelona property to their real estate portfolios. The company’s latest venture, LF Luxe, is targeting affluent buyers who have seen Barcelona transform itself into a prosperous, global city since the Olympic games in 1992.
In the last decade or so, Barcelona`s status as a leading gastronomic and cultural hub has spread beyond Europe’s borders, drawing in entrepreneurs and businessmen from all over the world, as well as some big name celebrities – including Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who bought a large city centre pad in 2013. The city’s ‘golden couple’, singer Shakira and FC Barcelona star Gerard Pique, are currently building a spectacular home in the city’s outskirts, providing an additional glamorous vibe to this already buzzing coastal metropolis.
Last year saw the launch of Barcelona’s Superyacht Marina in the heart of the city, and which regularly welcomes Roman Abramovich’s fleet of yachts.
Culinary superstardom is now within the Catalan capital’s reach, reflected in the city’s 23 Michelin starred restaurants and numerous exciting new venues emerging almost on a daily basis
Barcelona’s own globally recognized fashion brands, such as Desigual and Zazo & Brull, have encouraged major international chains to make the city a key part of their strategy for flagship store openings in Southern Europe. This is because of the strength of ‘Brand Barcelona’ – traditionally linked to fashion and its football club – and because of the growing number of tourists visiting the city each year.
“Barcelona is a very seductive city” explained Lucas Fox co-founder Alexander Vaughan.
“Progressive, creative and constantly re-inventing itself, it has always attracted a discerning, creative crowd but now we are seeing new wave of super-affluent investors, who recognise the city’s global appeal as well as its growth potential.
“A number of high-profile industry leaders, businessmen and personalities have chosen to buy in recent years and, as Barcelona continues to establish itself as one of the world’s leading cities, we believe this trend is set to continue”
Image caption: Barcelona’s Number One address – Francesc Masia 10. Copyright: Lucas Fox International Properties.
Andrew Batt, International Group Editor of PropertyGuru Group, wrote this story. To contact him about this or other stories email andrew@propertyguru.com.sg
