Chic neighbourhoods in Marseille

France’s second largest city is characterized by a highly contrasted urban landscape. While the “Golden Square” and traditionally bourgeois neighbourhoods are still preferred by the wealthiest buyers, the city centre now offers appealing new addresses thanks to a long period of embellishment.

The most widely acclaimed neighbourhoods are still in the 7th and 8th arrondissements for their lovely villas and luxury residences offering views of, and closeness to, the sea, especially the Corniche du Président J.F. Kennedy, Roucas Blanc, the Prado and Parc Monticelli,” explains Emilie Banchetri of Sotheby’s Realty. “Other areas in the 9th, 11th and 12th arrondissements guarantee a pleasant residential atmosphere in village style, attracting families in search of quietness and space, but also closeness to the town centre. Many self-employed professionals such as doctors and dentists acquire their main homes here in the guise of a contemporary villa or a “mas” benefiting from extensive grounds. This type of residence bears a price-tag of around 1 M € for the smallest examples, from 1.5 to 2 million for the largest, in Saint Barnabé, Les Accates or Eoures.” In addition to the local clientele, and especially since the TGV train service has put the Phocean city within reach of the French capital in just 3 hrs 30, many Parisians but also Belgians and Swiss comprise a new clientele able to afford top-notch properties in Marseille. An impeccable lofty villa offering a beautiful sea view can currently be found between 2.8 and 3 M €. Truly outstanding properties can attain 8 M €, especially if they have prestigious addresses such as Le Parc Talabot. A leafy estate with high security, in very high demand.

“Residences such as Le Parc Talabot and Les Oréades are, in fact, very highly-prized,” confirms Pierre Criquet, who founded the Rond Point Immobilier agency in a smart town mansion on the Prado in 1985. Desirable properties in the 7th, 8th and 9th arrondissements appeal to a clientele comprised of local families, executives transferred to Marseille, and many young retirees from Paris or Lyon, looking forward to active retirement here. “They are drawn by the South and, for them, Marseille is an ideal compromise between holiday-style panoramic views and city life allowing for high-quality cultural and social activities,” adds Pierre Criquet. “Most often, they are looking for an apartment of 150 or 160 m2 benefiting from a terrace with a view of the sea.” Several residences - such as “Les Jardins de Thalassa” on the Prado with apartments currently estimated from 6,000 to 7,000 € per sqm - are likely to meet the requirements of this clientele with budgets ranging from 800,000 to 900,000 €. “In this first quarter of the year, we have noticed a pick-up in interest, following a rather quiet year in 2014. We are being contacted by larger numbers of clients and arranging more visits. Even so, decisions are slow in the making. Buyers are not in a hurry, and even if they do fall for a property, they still take their time. They compare and analyze each one in great detail : the amount of charges and taxes applying to each acquisition weighs upon their final decision. We are clearly dealing with a more reasonable market, even in this price bracket.”

At Emile Garcin Propriétés, the specialist for homes of charm and character on the coastal strip stretching from the Côte Bleue to Le Var, a renewal of interest in Marseille at both national and international level is clearly being felt. “Our sales are now pretty evenly balanced between main and holiday homes. It’s true that Marseille’s image has been given quite a polish. The lighting on the MUCEM, the neighbourhood of La Joliette, the inauguration of the Intercontinental, the “Capital of Culture” year, and an article in the New York Times ranking Marseille second among cities to visit after Rio de Janeiro, have all boosted the city’s international aura,” says Christophe Falbo. Which doesn’t mean, however, that clients are falling over each other. “2014 was marked by a wait-and-see attitude. 2015 looks to be more pro-active. You can tell that people feel more confident. Some of our clients have noticed that prices are stabilizing and that it’s no doubt time to look for opportunities.” The market for year-round homes for local families is busier. “Security now tops their list of criteria,” adds Christophe Falbo, mentioning a property of 450 m2 in large grounds with an infinity pool in Le Parc Talabot. Destined to be a year-round residence, it sold for over 2.5 M€. A good example of the top-notch property most widely sought-after by a clientele that can afford to pay several million euros.

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