You wouldn’t think so from the clean, modern look of Sotogrande, but this year Andalucía’s largest private residential community celebrates its 50th birthday!
The exclusive resort that has become a byword for elegance, style and understated glamour was founded in 1963 after American-Filipino Joseph McMicking and his Spanish-Filipino wife Mercedes Zobel de Ayala y Roxas fell in love with this idyllic stretch of coast.
Situated a little off Gibraltar and only half an hour west of Marbella (with today’s communication means) they envisaged this to be a privileged setting where people could come to live, holiday, retire or spend part of the year. Enamoured with the beautiful sandy beaches, the views of Gibraltar and North Africa, the deep blue water and the lofty olive groves and pine forests they acquired five neighbouring farms that were to become the foundations of the future Sotogrande.
It wasn’t long before others shared in their vision and within just a few years some of the most noted families in Spain – and far beyond – began building stylish holiday villas on the shores of the Mediterranean close to where it meets the mighty Atlantic. In time a secluded and well-designed residential area evolved around broad, leafy streets flanked by the tasteful architecture and dimensions of summer villas.
Since then Sotogrande is much grown, but in an orderly and controlled fashion that has always sought to balance the interests of development and the environment, creating elegant living spaces whilst maintaining an exceptional quality of life as the resort followed the fairways of its famous golf courses into the hills. Today Sotogrande is famous for its style, quality of life, attractive layout and architecture, and the fact that development follows the rare luxury of a master plan, creating a very harmonious environment.
Its founders would be proud of what the place they first envisaged has become fifty years on. Justly proud, Sotogrande is organising a host of events throughout the year to commemorate this landmark celebration, from sailing regattas such as the III Copa 50 Aniversario Sotogrande and other sporting events to fairs, markets and cultural and social activities. The official celebration, held at famous Sotogrande beach club El Cucuracho at the beginning of August, drew many illustrious names, including a long list of Spanish and international celebrities, indicating just how beloved this beautiful spot on Spain’s south coast has become over the past 50 years.
By Jackie Cruz - Manifesto ·