Like other parts of the Costa del Sol, Sotogrande has its own mix of properties, landscapes and views that define it and give it a unique charm and character of its own. Central to it all are the luxuriant golf courses that criss-cross the terrain and the calm waters of the marina that glisten in the Mediterranean sun.
These two elements also represent the two distinct parts that make up Sotogrande, and where the marina area is dominated by elegant apartments the residential areas are the domain of villas. You will find small clusters of luxury townhouses and low-rise apartments here, but above all it is home to the Sotogrande Villa.
So is there a typical Sotogrande villa, and if so, what is it like? In reality a place with the area and varied topography of Sotogrande is naturally home to a wide variety of different architectural styles, property sizes and also budgets, with individual villas ranging from rustic and traditional, to contemporary and modern.
The villas here also range in size from charming smaller homes on medium-sized plots all the way to truly impressive mansions on expansive estates, but amid all this variety and choice it is possible to describe a Sotogrande Villa that is representative of this exclusive resort community and its lifestyle.
A style of living
More than a very specific architectural style or size, the Sotogrande Villa exudes a recognisable ambience that is in tune with its surroundings and the Sotogrande way of life. Elegant, stylish and certainly luxurious, it is most typically a well sized, though by no means over-sized home, on a generous stretch of verdant level land.
The main stylistic trends have evolved from rustic in the earliest days to the early modernism of the 1960s and the neo-rustic styles that were prevalent until recently. In this, and the recent revival of modern architecture, Sotogrande is not so different from the more luxurious parts of Marbella, but in Sotogrande luxury is presented in a more discreet and less showy manner, resulting in well-balanced designs that speak of taste, refinement and a feeling for fine living.
Spacious, luxurious properties with amenities to match the most exclusive real estate markets in the world are the norm, but presented on a scale that is always in proportion to the land they stand upon. Fine gardens are a feature in this too, reflecting a body of residences that is secure in itself and not given to overly ostentatious showcasing.
As a result, the typical Sotogrande villa comes in many shapes and sizes, but is recognisable by refined touches such as the treatment of volume, the relationship between size and land, the lack of garlanding and the creation of beautiful homes designed as much for quiet enjoyment as an impressive venue for entertaining.
By Jackie Cruz - Manifesto ·