A view of the ocean in Biarritz : a highly-rated luxury

Houses and apartments in Biarritz offering the privilege of a clear view of the ocean are rare and always in high demand. Focus on a micro-market in which buyers are more than ready to pay considerable sums for prime locations…

A seaside resort known for its aura of casual elegance, Biarritz benefits from a delightful environment in which nature reigns supreme. Apartments offering ocean views are, however, few and far between, and concentrated in certain neighbourhoods, as explained by Pierre Deglaire, founder and director of the Coldwell Banker DP&P Consulting agency : “Three neighbourhoods in Biarritz enjoy attractive sea views : those of Miramar, Côte Basque and Milady. In the centre of Biarritz, apartments with ocean views are rarer, and the views are distant as this densely built-up area does not allow for wide open perspectives. In this particular market segment, demand outstrips supply, which explains the high prices, from 8,000 to 12,000 € per sq. metre, depending on the property’s condition, with a few exceptions that go beyond 12,000 € per sqm. As for houses with ocean views, availabilities are very rare, and sought after by a good number of potential buyers. Apartments offer a wider choice for this particular advantage. Prices have remained high, though we have noticed a change on the part of buyers, who now want to speed up transactions. Properties sell quickly as people are expecting a rise in mortgage rates. Biarritz benefits from the impact of very good media coverage, it has always been a fashionable seaside resort. The coming takeover of the Hôtel du Palais by an international company has already encouraged luxury brands to open stores in the town. Prices may well rise in the coming months, which is spurring buyers to acquire properties as fast as they can. Recently, an apartment on an upper floor with a view of the ocean sold at a high price within hardly a week !”.

While rarity is the main issue for properties with sea views in Biarritz, there is also the matter of their distribution, especially in the case of houses. Stanislas de Roumefort, director of the Côte Ouest Immobilier Christie’s agency, explains : “They are not evenly distributed : some coastline areas only boast a few rare houses with ocean views. On the Basque Coast, in Biarritz south, the Espagne neighbourhood, there is a high density of this type of property. The price bracket is 1.5 to 2 million euros. North of Biarritz, houses propose other kinds of advantages, they are sturdier and more expensive, offering a different quality of construction, with prices ranging from 2 to 3 million euros. Unlike the market for apartments with ocean views, that for houses is more restricted, with transactions proceeding at a slower pace. It mostly concerns active clients wanting to invest in a second residence. There is a different buyer profile for apartments, consisting of numerous well-off seniors, French retirees who find it reassuring to invest in this kind of property offering comfortable modern amenities. This market is holding up well : offerings are there, not overly abundant, but with a varied array of surface areas from 30 to 150 m2. Prices are high but steady, only wavering in the case of large surface areas. It’s a market with convincing assets for investors”.

This magnificent apartment in a very smart mansion features very large reception rooms in living space of 485 m2. Renovated throughout, it proposes rare elegance and benefits from a sublime terrace with a sweeping view of the ocean and mountains. A caretaker’s apartment completes the property. Between 5 and 10 M €. Barnes Côte Basque (05 59 51 00 00).

At the heart of town in a residence with a pool, this split-level apartment of 144 m2 stands out for its vast picture windows offering an ever-present spectacle of the ocean and the beach from all the rooms. Comprised of a lounge, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large walk-in closet and a screening room, the property is completed by a cellar and parking place. 1.295.000 €. Côte Ouest Immobilier Christie’s (05 59 26 82 60).

In the most prestigious residence in Biarritz, this superb bourgeois apartment of 261 m2 offers the privilege of a fabulous view of the ocean and the iconic Hôtel du Palais. An enchanting panoramic view, to be admired from the reception rooms and two of the five bedrooms proposed by this unique property. 2.800.000 €. Coldwell Banker Previews DP&P Consulting (06 63 90 13 01).

Apartments with ocean views also offering a terrace are even more highly-prized. A rare commodity in Biarritz, as pointed out by Philippe Thomine-Desmazures, associate director of Barnes Côte Basque : “Biarritz is a town which was built in the 19th century, at a time when people stayed out of the sun. Consequently, few properties were built with terraces. The finest buildings in Biarritz are often former palaces, where terraces formed part of the communal premises. When these old residences were split into apartments, highly sought-after properties of remarkable sylishness became available, offering beautiful views of the ocean and sometimes small balconies or terraces. Scarcity drives up the price, and here the proportion of properties with terraces and sea views is very small. The average price per sq. metre in Biarritz is 4,500 €, though it soars to 10,000 € and more for prestigious properties with terraces facing the ocean. A sea view accounts for more than half of the requests received : it is in high demand as it is a blue-chip value for buyers wanting to invest in real estate. There is a smooth flow of transactions for smaller apartments which sell quickly, things get stickier for properties of over 150 m2. Even so, a view of the ocean remains a considerable asset for investors who are occasionally prepared to sacrifice living space to ensure that they will be able to resell easily later on or benefit from seasonal rentals”.