Intempo Benidorm

This is starting to take shape now too. Construction underway and up to the third floor (so the parking is sorted).

Blue flag beaches in Spain

Spain can still proudly boast the greatest number of blue-flag beaches in the entire northern hemisphere thanks to yesterdays announcement that a total of 571 blue flags will be waving this summer on beaches and Spanish ports, a total of 44 more than last year.

2009 has seen an increase of blue flag awards to 38 beaches and 6 more ports. Andalusia is the community with more kilometers of blue beaches. A total of 493 beaches and 78 ports have obtained the blue flag. The Blur Flag is an International Standard with an environmental seal that certifies the fulfillment of certain quality criteria, such as accessibility, the clarity of the water, the environmental information available to the users and the adherence to the legislation.

This increase is comparable to the significant reduction last year and is approximately the same as Spain's record number of flags obtained in 2007, with Spain continuing to lead the international classification, since one of each six or seven blue flags is located on the Spanish coast.

In absolute terms, Galicia is the community with more blue flags (124), followed by Catalonia (108), Valencian Community (101), the Balearics (85), Andalusia (83), the Canary Islands (35), Murcia (16), Asturias (12), Basque Country (3) and Ceuta and Melilla (two each).

With regard to the ports, Catalonia is at the top, with 21 blue flags, followed very closely by the Balearics (20), and a long way behind is Andalusia (13) and the Valencian Community (12). If the approximate kilometers of beach with a blue flag are taken into account, then Andalusia heads the list with 119 kilometers which is 38.3%, in front of the Valencian Community (91.6 km) and Catalonia (84.3 km).

Mortgage activity hints at recovery

A slight improvement in the monthly number of new mortgages sold in March has prompted optimists to call the bottom of the Spanish property market. Though the number of new mortgages signed in March fell 25.5% compared to the same time last year, the rate of decline appeared to slow compared to monthly falls of between 30% and 46% since November last year.

Furthermore, the figures, from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE), show there were 52,439 residential mortgages signed in March, an increase of 1.2% on the number signed in February, which in turn was slightly better than January.
That was enough for leading national papers like El Pais to suggest that the Spanish property market might have touched bottom in recent months.

Poniente esplanade taking shape

The new and impressive maritime esplanade is nearing completion along Playa Poniente. The works are now 80% completed with the esplanade due to be unveiled (ie finished) at the end of July.

The new Paseo de Poniente has been designed by the architect Carlos Ferrater and will be another "architectural reference" for the city of Benidorm, with high hopes of winning international recognition. It has a dynamic design, allowing the walker to enjoy the stunning sea views, with various seating areas.

Now is the time to buy a home in Spain

"The time has come to think about buying a home" - these were the words of Ana Maria Fuentes, the Government housing spokes-person, given in an interview last week. They follow the recent measures introduced by the Spanish Government, including the elimination of fiscal deductions starting from 1st January 2011.

What does it all mean - to help the housing sector, tax breaks for property owners who earn more than 24,000 € a year will disappear in 2011, while those who bought their homes before then will not be affected. The current tax break will be reduced for those who earn more than 17,000 €. The incentive is now there for those buyers who to buy before the cut off date to continue receiving tax breaks which will disappear in 2011, while those who wait will no longer qualify. The move has been well received by experts who feel it will kick-start the market.

As in the UK, we are also starting to see an increase in the number of property transactions which was up 0.7% in March compared to February. The year-on-year rate is still well down with a drop of 24.3% but worth pointing out that it is the smallest declient in almost a year (since April 2008).

Benidorm and Manhattan - Part II

28 images by photographer Carlos Canet Fortea have been put on display Espai d'Art of the Benidorm Town Hall, in a show that was inaugurated yesterday by the mayor, Manuel Perez Fenoll, and the mayor of Culture, Ángela Barceló, reflecting the author's personal view on the city of Manhattan. The exhibition is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 to 14 hours, until June 15.

Manuel Perez Fenoll noted the similarities between the two cities of sky-scrapers and commented that Benidorm is often referred to as the "Manhattan of the Mediterranean". The first mayor also stressed that after years of criticism of the urban model of Benidorm "today sociologists and urban planners are expanding on this model" (of sky-scrapers). Carlos Canet has explained that there are connections between the two cities, not only because of the vertical architecture but also in respect to the movement of persons and racial mixing.

Terramar and Manhattan

I came across this very striking image of downtown Manhattan over the weekend and wondered who would like to take it upon themselves to design a similar image of Benidorm. With almost as many skyscrapers in Benidorm (per person that is), I am sure it would make an impressive design.
On the subject of skyscrapers, the Terra Mar apartments in Benidorm were looking lovely today, even if the views were just a little hazy. And with prices from 119.000 Euros, this is a fantastic buy for such a quality apartment. Check it out here: