Pyla-sur-Mer, luxury and originality

Scarce offerings and very strong demand make Pyla-sur-Mer a highly coveted address. At the entrance to the Bassin d’Arcachon in the Gironde, this seaside resort combines the charms of the Dune du Pilat, La Côte d’Argent and the forests of Les Landes. A privileged site, one hour from Bordeaux.

Louis Gaume and Daniel Meller are to be credited with founding the resort. A villa built for Daniel Meller has just been sold by the Coldwell Banker agency, whose core of activity is prestige real estate, a sector in which it is a world leader. The century-old home with five bedrooms in total living space of 220 m2 on two floors, in grounds of 2,200 m2, changed hands at around 1.7 million euros. “A property is usually rated as “prestigious” from 700,000 €,” says Marina Tonneau, manageress of the Coldwell Banker agency. “But in Pyla-sur-Mer, this category begins at 1.5 million euros. Even so, the price is not everything : other criteria are taken into account, such as the quality of the view, the property’s appointments, and whether it is an historic residence, like the Meller villa.” She mentions another example, a superb property built in 2004, proposed by the agency on an exclusive basis. At the heart of Pyla-sur-Mer, this villa of 200 m2, a stone’s throw from the beach, offers a splendid view of Cap Ferret and the Bassin d’Arcachon. Designed for a family, in a very good location, this recent 2-storey house offering four bedrooms and surrounded by a garden of 1,000 m2 is on offer at 1.7 million euros. “The prestige aspect of a property is also defined by its location,” adds Marina Tonneau. “In Pyla-sur-Mer, there is a “golden triangle” between the neighbourhood of Le Moulleau and the Cercle de la Voile. In this area, as soon as a property comes up for sale, it sells very quickly. We have even sold properties here within one week !”… One such villa with typical Arcachonnaise architecture, close to the beach, shops and restaurants in Le Moulleau, dates back to the 1930’s and offers generous proportions : living space of 200 m2 and a mature garden of 1,000 m2. It was sold by Coldwell Banker for almost 1.3 million euros in January. One of a score of sales completed by the agency since the start of the year.

Another segment of the market is very lively in Pyla-sur-Mer, that of so-called luxury properties. A sector which is the speciality of Christophe Vaissié, manager of Barnes International : “In Pyla-sur-Mer, luxury is not solely defined by the price, but also by a property’s attributes (a view of the sea, high-quality renovation etc…) and, above all, its location”. Such is the case for a very tastefully renovated villa of approx. 200 m2, offering a stunning panoramic view of the sea. What makes it even more appealing, however, is its proximity to the beach and shops. On the strength of so many arguments, it was sold by the Barnes agency for over 1.6 million euros. While Pyla-sur-Mer is first and foremost a holiday resort, a new trend is emerging. Young families are moving into the resort on a permanent basis. “Parents are drawn by the setting. Pyla is a safe little town. Children can get around easily on bikes, using the cycling paths, and there are very good schools in the surrounding area,” explains Christophe Vaissié. “These buyers are not looking for the same type of home as those who spend their holidays here. And above all, they are not scared off by renovation work.” He mentions, for example, a property acquired very recently by a family for over 1.2 million euros. Like all luxury properties listed by Barnes International, it offers a sea view, good-sized grounds and a certain stylishness. This villa designed by an architect in the 1980’s needed a revamp, which did not put off its new owners, who had fallen for the charm of its location. “The market for luxury villas on the front row is, of course, the speciality of Barnes International. It is a highly confidential market,” adds Christophe Vaissié, citing two oceanfront villas currently in the sale process.

Pyla-sur-Mer also boasts villas with more unusual charms. “The Ateliers Lofts & Associés agency exclusively handles original properties,” says its manageress, Carmen Milcent. “There are a few dotted around the area and, unlike other properties, what people are looking for here is primarily lofty volumes. Though not necessarily large grounds.” These properties are mainly old residences with revamped, and sometimes restructured, interiors. More rarely, they can involve less attractive grounds in which architects have demonstrated a certain boldness. Such was the case for a house built about ten years ago on one of the last plots still remaining in Pyla-sur-Mer. Compensating for the property’s steeply sloping site, the architect came up with a villa of 130 m2 with a mezzanine. It has a light and airy feel, with three bedrooms and a timber terrace. Recently entrusted to the agency, it is on offer at 690,000 €. “There are few unusual properties in the area. Demand is high, prices too, in fact. They are, however, fair : our clients know what they are looking for, and very often after a single visit they sign on the dotted line,” says Carmen Milcent. “Frequently approaching their fifties, they move into homes in Pyla while continuing to work in the surrounding region, towards Bordeaux. They are looking forward to retirement while taking advantage of the Bassin d’Arcachon, and owning an original home.” Originality which sometimes derives from the use of building materials that are not so common in the region, as in this redesigned house : on two floors comprised of wood, glass and steel, it backs onto a woodland area. The rooms bask in light from picture windows and give onto two wooden terraces. Offering living space of 180 m2, the property is currently for sale at 995,000 €. Carmen Milcent does not think that demand for such properties will decline. “With the arrival of the TGV train in 2017, things will flow even more smoothly. It is also worth noting that foreign buyers are returning to Pyla, as well as young families wanting to settle in the region. The market should continue to flourish.”

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