A vision of tranquility thats Palm Mar
Buying an investment property abroad is about fulfilling your dream and finding that special somewhere where you can feel at home. Palm Mar is a place that shares that dream and has seen it develop over the years into the oasis of calm and relaxation that is now so sought after.
Reclining in the natural valley between Guaza mountain and Malpais de Rasca nature reserve, the homes of Palm Mar are built into the hillside of this natural sun trap, facing out to the Atlantic with the busier resorts of Los Cristianos and beyond, visible out to the right of the cliffs. This sort of perfect setting takes a great deal of planning and Palm Mar has been a labour of love since it’s inception.
The dream was born in 1962 when Aman A Miran Khan from Afghanistan, and his German wife Maria Elisabeth moved to Tenerife. With a growing family, Aman’s thoughts turned to finding a special place to create a community of peace and relaxation.
It’s not surprising that in 1968, he picked Palm Mar, the 428 metre high Guaza mountain shields it from the occasional high winds and makes a perfect micro climate. On the other side of the valley, Malpais de Rasca is made up of volcanic rock debris that nurtures rare animals and plants. Stretching out to the original Rasca lighthouse, built in 1898 from rock quarried on Guaza mountain, this protected area has fascinated and soothed walkers for many years.
Having found his location, Aman bought 800,000 square metres of land and recruited a local architect, Louis Cabrera to breathe life into his project. The original plan has been altered considerably over the years but the basic idea has remained. In 1973 Arona council stepped in, stopped issuing selling licences, and set about updating the plan. After a period of uncertainty, Palm Mar was sold on to private developers and it has grown steadily with a recent burst of activity adding some fine tuning.
Most of the new developments have embraced off plan buying, an innovative and profitable way to get a bang up to date property at 20 to 30 per cent below the market price. Los Menceyes is one such modern development, offering the latest in quality finishing outside, coupled with a stylish and efficient interior. For a deposit and staged payments over around two years, you can pick up a great investment.
The beach, Playa Arenita, has a new promenade running along the front complete with seating areas to relax and admire the sea views. The palm trees planted along the avenues still add shade and colour and the topping of sand on the beach is soon to be increased to expand the bathing area.
One of the original buildings Edificio Flamingo, is home to a small selection of shops and bars and opposite is a newly finished commercial centre, awaiting an influx of new business’s.
From small beginnings, Palm Mar has really grown, without losing sight of the peace and beauty the first attracted Aman here. There are more plans to improve things further, such as a jetty and sea taxi to Los Cristianos and a new roundabout at Guaza will make road access from the TF 1 motorway much easier. But for the people who have already moved into this special community, the dream is already looking pretty good.