Novak Djokovic and Simon Cowell - Sierra Blanca: Marbella, Spain, a secluded neighborhood that attracts stars

Located in the green foothills of the mountain range of the same name, the protected community of Sierra Blanca is one of the most luxurious neighborhoods of sunny Marbella, Spain. With spacious Andalusian-style homes, fresh mountain air, 24-hour security, breathtaking sea views and easy access to the city's best amenities, the enclave has long attracted a diverse international community who purchase primary and vacation homes, including celebrities such as tennis star Novak Djokovic.

"For years, people have referred to Sierra Blanca as the 'Beverly Hills of Spain,'" said Smadar Kahana, executive director of Engel & Völkers Marbella, adding that because of its position, many homes have sea and mountain views. "This is the most exclusive private community in Marbella, with elegant lanes and large impressive residences. "

Minutes from high-end restaurants, sprawling golf courses, beautiful beaches and one of the best international schools, the Sierra Blanca neighborhood is a tranquil residential community with an emphasis on privacy and club-style sophistication. It is ideal for a family home or second home, offering luxury villas, apartments or townhouses.

Borders

The Sierra Blanca neighborhood is bordered on the north by La Concha Mountain, on the east by List Street and the upscale neighborhood of Cascada de Camohan, on the south by Albignoni Street and on the west by a protected forest area.

Price range

"Prices for villas in Sierra Blanca start at 4 million euros ($4.38 million) and go up to 25 million euros," Cahana said. "Of course, prices depend on the size of the living space and plot, availability of good sea views, location, style, age and amenities. "

Arthur Loginov, CEO and partner of Drumelia Real Estate in Marbella, has identified a strong center point of the price range of 7-8 million euros. In addition to its spacious upscale villas with landscaped grounds and private pools, Sierra Blanca also has two luxury apartment complexes and a townhome community. "Apartments start at around €600,000 and go up to €5 million, but they are also very scarce, so it is actually very difficult to find affordable housing in this particular location," he said. "There is one townhouse community, it's called Meisho Hills, and the prices there range from 1 million to 3 million euros. "

What makes it unique

From its elevated position at the foot of the majestic La Concha mountain, Sierra Blanca overlooks the city of Marbella and its golden beaches. From here you can see the coast as far as Gibraltar and, on a clear day, the coast of North Africa. Bordering a nature reserve, the neighborhood offers peaceful walks along the wooded mountainside, but also provides faster and more direct access to all of Marbella's attractions than many other residential areas deeper into the mountains. "Sierra Blanca is a private villa community with no commercial activity. It's very quiet and safe," Kahana said. "However, it is in a privileged location in Marbella, on the Golden Mile, so you can easily walk to the beach in 15 minutes or drive three to four minutes to beach restaurants and all the amenities, eight minutes to the old town or eight minutes to the famous Puerto Banus with its designer boutiques." This neighborhood is also ideal for dog owners. "There is a fantastic park right on the doorstep of Sierra Blanca - Parque de Nagueles. You can walk there," Loginov said. It also has a superb view of the Starlight Occident festival which takes place every summer in July and August and attracts some of the world's best singers, musicians and artists to Marbella.

Luxury amenities

"All the luxury amenities are just 3-10 minutes away, including golf courses, Michelin-starred restaurants and we also have some very good private hospitals in Marbella," Kahana said. Swans International School, known as one of the best in the area, is located right on the border of Sierra Blanca and is within walking distance. Marbella's luxury infrastructure has expanded significantly over the past few years, with the addition of several well-known restaurants and branches of famous nightlife venues from other parts of Spain. Marbella's main center of attraction remains the Golden Mile. "The Golden Mile is where the birth of Marbella happened, so the best hotels, the best shopping, the best restaurants are on the Golden Mile, and the best beaches," he said. "There's also the Hotel Puente Romano, with its famous tennis events, right on the Golden Mile. "

Who lives here

Sierra Blanca attracts affluent homebuyers as well as "a very international clientele - many celebrities from the sports and movie industry, as well as top businessmen from around the world," Cahana said. "A lot of families, also because of the better international school and security." Many foreign residents are second-home owners who spend three to six months a year in Spain, Loginov said, but "more and more people are becoming permanent residents, especially from northern countries like Sweden, for example. "

Famous residents

According to publications, world number one in tennis Novak Djokovic has a private villa in Sierra Blanca. British TV star and record-breaking performer Simon Cowell also owned a private villa in a gated community for many years and often used it to host contestants on TV projects X Factor and Got Talent.

Perspectives

Sierra Blanca is prone to less price fluctuation than Marbella as a whole, Beristain said. "Prices will either remain stable or increase due to high demand and the limited number of available properties in the area," he said. "Plots for residential use are also very rare." Despite the slowdown in many markets due to rising interest rates this year, Sierra Blanca has not experienced a downturn in demand or prices, Loginov said. "We see our side further consolidating prices, they continue to rise. The range is very limited and we have not seen any signs of a decline in demand in the luxury housing market," he added. "At the moment, all prices are stable due to a serious supply shortage. Sellers are cutting prices less and less.".

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