A house on a golf-course on the Basque Coast
Nestling against backdrops of manicured greenery, these houses benefit from idyllic environments mostly attracting fans of the little white ball, but also those fond of nature and peacefulness. Along the Basque Coast, home to a succession of over a dozen golf-courses, the market consists of a plethora of desirable properties offering contemporary or period architecture, mainly sought after by buyers of second residences.
The Basque Coast plays host to some of France’s loveliest golf-courses. Real treasures set between the beaches and mountains, offering courses quite stunning for their panoramic views and particularly appealing to discerning players. A real regional heritage, each course offers golfers a different spectacle and ambiance, highlighting the region’s attractions. Benoit Verdet, founder of the Prestant Immobilier group and a fan of the Basque Coast for over 12 years, likes to use the golf-courses to sketch out a portrait of the Basque country : “Around Biarritz, the Golf du Phare is rather citified, that of Chiberta rather “seaside”, and that of Arcangues, rather countrified, with a typical panoramic view of the Basque country. These three golf-courses are held in high esteem. Prices of their houses and large properties range from 2 to 5 million euros, depending on the course and its immediate surroundings. Around Saint Jean de Luz, the golf-courses of Chantaco and La Nivelle enjoy very beautiful panoramic views and long-established reputations linked to the quality of their Art Deco architectural legacy, notably bequeathed by the architect Pawlowski. Prices of desirable properties start here from 1.5 million euros. The Bassussarry golf-course offers more opportunities, from 600,000 €. Prices of houses on golf-courses are determined by their exact location, their views, but also their peacefulness. Prestant Singular Properties currently has a remarkable property for sale in an ideal location on the Golf d’Arcangues, sheltered from view and wonderfully quiet”.
While the vast majority of owners and buyers of houses on the greens are (or become) golf enthusiasts, this type of property appeals less to locals than clients in search of second residences. As explained by Philippe Thomine Desmazures, associate director of the Barnes Côte Basque agency : “On this market, 80% of the buyers are in fact looking for second homes. Most of them are from large cities in Europe, including many from Paris who have been showing up in considerable numbers over the past few months on the Basque Coast. Local notables are involved in some transactions, though it’s rather rare. There are two motivations for acquiring a home on the greens : the first is a passion for golf, the second a quest for peace and quiet. There are a dozen or so golf-courses between San Sébastian and Hossegor, so it’s much more than a niche market. It attracts different kinds of buyers who can choose from three options : buying a house ready to move in, or a house built in the 1950’s or 1960’s that needs total renovation or could even be razed to the ground, or acquiring land for a new-build. This last option offers great opportunities, given that there still remain a few reserves of land with plots from 1,000 to 2,000 m2 offering lots of assets. It is important to emphasize that it makes more sense today to buy land for a new-build than an ageing house.”
Benefiting from growing appeal, the Basque Coast attracts a sporty, well-off clientele from all four corners of Europe, as confirmed by Nicolas Descamps, President of the Côte Ouest Immobilier agency affiliated to Christie’s : “Since the second half of 2015, we have noticed a comeback on the part of French ex-pats living in London or Singapore, and the return of German, Belgian and Spanish buyers, which has given a boost to the market for high-end properties, including those on golf-courses. The Basque Coast is a region well-known for golf, a sport which is part and parcel of its lifestyle. In our portfolio of available properties, we currently have very lovely houses offering luxurious appointments, nestling on the golf-courses of Chiberta, Le Phare and in the area around Ilbarritz. Worth close on 2 million euros, these residences target a wealthy clientele. Prices are lower further from Biarritz, though the market still boasts properties with very appealing assets, such as a contemporary house of 250 m2 we currently have on offer on the Bassussarry golf-course, priced at 1,100,000 €. In the same area, we are also proposing a more modest home of 140 m2 with a pool at 490,000 €. In 90% of cases, these types of properties are acquired by golfers. Demand is steady for houses on the greens, it is a lively and smoothly flowing market, on condition that the prices posted reflect market reality ! Which some sellers still tend to forget…”.
