Contemporary properties on the Basque Coast
Radia Amar - 20 July 2015
On the Basque Coast, talented architects compete in resourcefulness to build streamlined villas or rehabilitate apartments in resolutely contemporary style. Aesthetes are entirely won over !
Based in Biarritz for the past six years, the Ateliers Lofts agency proposes a fine selection of unusual and/or contemporary properties all over the Basque Coast and Les Landes. “Demand is steady for homes renovated by architects in modern style. Tasteful and demanding, our clientele is mainly comprised of buyers from Paris, Toulouse and Bordeaux, looking for holiday homes offering the potential to become their main residences when they retire,” explains manageress Julie Lamboley. These clients appreciate refined appointments and generous volumes. In Biarritz, the most frequent enquiries are for 1- and 2-bedroomed apartments, especially if they are right in the centre or in the neighbourhoods of Les Halles or Espagne, where impeccable examples of 55 to 60 m2 cost around 300,000 €. “Real lofts are rare in Biarritz as the town doesn’t have an industrial past. Only a few warehouses on the outskirts of the commune have been transformed into homes. On the other hand, to create unusual living space characterized by lofty volumes, local architects don’t hesitate to transform classic properties into extraordinary living accommodation.” Vast duplexes and even town houses on several floors thus meet the demands of a clientele keen on the contemporary style. One such apartment of 180 m2 is to be found in a 1950’s building behind the neighbourhood of Les Halles. Transformed by a renowned local architect, Delphine Carrère, it found a taker as soon as it was put up for sale, at 1,250,000 €. “This property benefited from a full array of assets : five bedrooms, stylishness, generous volumes, a terrace with a pond, a garage and a sought-after location,” says Julie Lamboley. As for villas, even though the communes of Arbonne, Arcangues and Bidart impose very precise specifications, architects compete in talent and resourcefulness to design contemporary villas harmoniously incorporating the neo-Basque style. On the other hand, in Anglet, Bassussarry and Chiberta, smart cubic constructions in Californian style are officially authorized. Like one streamlined villa in a luxuriant environment in Bassussarry : comprised of superimposed cubes giving a total surface area of 200 m2, it is on the market for 1,290,000 €.
Combining the expertise of site overseer and that of real-estate activities, Le Concept Immobilier is an innovative firm which takes charge of all the work required to embellish its clients’ acquisitions. “Many clients now in fact focus their searches on uncluttered homes, though properties of charm offering stylish renovation still have their fans,” comments Stéphane Meunier, the agency’s co-manager. “About 10 years ago, division of land in Anglet and Biarritz enabled new owners to build lovely contemporary villas. Today, some of these homes can be found on the market.” By way of example, Stéphane Meunier mentions a town house of 150 m2 renovated in streamlined style, which just sold for 920,000 €, and a villa of 350 m2 built by an architect in grounds of 3,500 m2 in Bidart, up for sale at 1,650,000 €. However, as location still tops the list of search criteria of numerous buyers staying in Biarritz on a regular basis, some are inclined to opt for vast loft-style apartments in the town centre or the Quartier D’Espagne. One such ultra contemporary apartment of 167 m2, benefiting from a terrace, parking place and private garden,
is on offer at 1,095,000 €.