Grimaud, a multifaceted market
Radia Amar - 20 May 2016
A lively commune in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Grimaud benefits from a good reputation - particularly due to its exemplary management -, and an international aura boosted by its “lagoon city”, Port Grimaud.
On the Mediterranean shore and at the foot of the Massif des Maures, Grimaud is comprised of a medieval village, residential areas and the “lagoon city” of Port Grimaud.
Specializing in the sought-after neighbourhoods of Guerrevieille and Beauvallon, Jean-Philippe Manzon of the Agence Alpha based in Grimaud since 1980 has noticed real buoyancy in the market since 2015. “Demand is very steady, shared out evenly between French and foreign buyers from northern Europe. They all appreciate these residential areas for their excellent value for money compared to the market in St-Tropez. They are looking for holiday homes, ideally a villa on a select estate, with at least three bedrooms, a pool and a view of the sea. Impeccable properties proposed at today’s market prices are, however, rare. Sellers do not have an objective view of the market and often over-estimate their homes, encouraged by agencies without any in-depth local experience. Which results in a rather tense situation, inevitably giving rise to long negotiations.” With budgets ranging from 350,000 to 800,000 €, buyers can envisage houses requiring renovation on the hill of Guerrevieille. From 1.3 million euros, they can set their sights on a more substantial house with four bedrooms, a swimming pool and lovely sea view, offering a highly-prized address such as “Le Mas de Guerrevieille”. “Clients with budgets in the 3 to 5 M€ bracket find it hard to come across properties providing the demanding appointments their investment should allow. They occasionally fall back on good-sized building plots on offer from 1.2 to 2 M €, in order to build the contemporary home that meets their taste.” By way of example, Jean-Philippe Manzon mentions the recent sale of a plot of land priced at 1,650,000 €. On a residential estate, offering a beautiful view of the sea, it embodies the ideal solution for this type of buyer.
A micro-market on the commune of Grimaud, the “lagoon city” of Port-Grimaud holds no secrets for Virgile Dolla, manager of the New Place agency and himself a year-round resident at this address based on a unique concept. “Port Grimaud attracts both fans of sailing and buyers in search of charming holiday homes benefiting from high-level amenities and top-notch security,” he explains. With a total 2,500 homes ranging from studios of 22 m2 priced from 150,000 € to double villas rising to 5-6 million euros, Port Grimaud, this year celebrating its 50th anniversary, occupies a surface area of 222 acres, two-thirds comprised of canals. Residents here get around on private maritime shuttles and can easily reach Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez by sea. “Most transactions involve properties priced around 1 million euros targetting an international clientele, especially Swiss, German, Belgian, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish buyers, who are particularly fond of the lifestyle offered by this address. This budget corresponds to a house of 85 m2 with a private boat mooring.” Properties with moorings are, of course, the most sought-after. “Our clients have substantial means enabling them to finance Port Grimaud’s heavy charges. In exchange, they benefit from various security and maintenance services. Futhermore, Port Grimaud has never suffered a drop in value. Even in sluggish periods, prices remain stable. An acquisition here is thus a sound long-term investment.” On the outskirts of the “lagoon city”, a new development currently being marketed will rise from the ground in early 2018. Consisting of nine high-quality apartments, 11 villas on two floors, and 41 garages, it will propose lots of assets. 1-bedroomed apartments of 36.80 m2 are on offer from 205,000 €.