What The Papers Say

IPI has featured in many articles and publications over the years, a selection of news stories can be seen below.

Costa Brava gets set for a comeback. October 1989
Howard Taylor, of Intercontinental Property Investments (IPI) in Brighton, East Sussex (0273-774-098), has been connected with this part of Spain for 11 years. He likes the village of Pals, 40 miles from the French border, which is part-15th century and part modern. The old quarter has been restored admirably and twice won national awards. Pals’ curious name comes from the Latin “palus,” meaning a swampy area – which it was until the marshland was drained. (They grew rice there for centuries).

Adjacent to the beach area is Pals’ 18 hole golf course, with several housing developments being built on the fringe. There is, for instance, La Reserva, with 33 linked villas under way in three acres – three bedrooms and two bathrooms in landscaped grounds with a communal swimming pool. Some properties also have their own plunge pool on an upstairs terrace. Prices from £91,300.

By the same local developer is a second scheme, Golf Royal. This comprises 45 two and three bedroom, two bathroom apartments, again with a shared pool and some private ones. Prices start from around £67,000 and go from £104,200 for the penthouses. Nearby is the medieval town of Bagur, from which a winding road leads to a cluster of a dozen white properties in the woods looking down through umbrella pines to the cove of Sa Tuna. For this seclusion of this hideaway, you pay £135,000 to £160,000.

These are a selection of Costa Brava properties offered by IPI. It has many more.

Where the sun shines brightly. September 1998
One of the less-frequented areas is the Costa Blanca, on the east coast of Spain, which runs from just north of Denia down to La Manga, with Alicante in the middle. “The Costa Blanca is far less arid than the Costa del Sol,” says Jane Taylor, of IPI Limited (01273 774098). “You don’t get that strong sirocco wind or the very high temperatures in the summer. And it is warmer than the Costa Brava.”

“One thing the area lacked for a long time was a decent golf course,” says Taylor. This was rectified in 1992 when an 18 hole course was built in La Sella, a 741-acre development, with the Spanish number one player, Jose Maria Olazabal as its technical director.

Lynne and Mark Crane bought a three-bedroom villa this year on the side of the mountains near Javea. The Cranes bought their Villa through IPI, which has various properties for sale in the area.

Catalonia casts its spell. February 1999
IPI is selling properties here ranging from £30,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, about £70,000 for a two-bedroom townhouse and £150,000 upwards for a four bedroom villa. All have moorings in the marina. IPI is selling some townhouses being constructed at Cala Montgo, on the edge of L’Escala. These have superb views over the bay and the few three bedroom properties left for sale, each with their own pool, priced from £160,000.

More British people are buying property abroad. June 2001
Winters are warmer on Spain’s Costa Blanca, and away from the coast are towns and villages that have not changed for centuries. The area around the old fishing port of Denia, an hour’s drive from Alicante Airport, is popular with Britons and prices are escalating. This modestly priced 20-year-old detached villa on Montgo mountain has beautiful views over Denia castle, the marina and the Mediterranean. Available through IPI.

Nightlife and natural beauty. February 2002
Situated between Gata de Gorgos and Pedreguer, a mere 15 minutes from Denia and Javea, is Gata Residencial, a new hillside villa scheme being sold by Brighton-based IPI Ltd at prices from £85,000 for a linked, three-bedroom home. The traditional inland town of Gata is famous for its basket and cane goods, and has some great bargains in glass and ceramics.

IPI’s Howard Taylor says: “Golfers will be delighted to know that La Sella's golf club is a five-minute drive away. La Sella itself still has plots of land available for building individual villas, as well as a selection of two-bedroom apartments set right on the fairway, priced from £85,000.

“Buyers requiring a villa within the La Sella complex can purchase two or three-bedroom homes from around £120,000, and each complex has its own communal pool. Currently under construction is the five star Marriott Resort Hotel, the facilities of which will be available to home-owners.”

For buyers keen to spend weekends at their Spanish home, an apartment at Gran Alacant could well be suitable. Situated on the sea, just a 10 minute drive from Alicante Airport, the large apartment complex has a two bedroom property available from around £47,000 through IPI.

A house for all seasons. September 2003
House building is continuing at La Manga Club, the well-known sporting resort on Spain’s Costa Calida, south of Alicante, where Sir Cliff Richard hosts his annual charity tennis tournament.

Estate Agent IPI (01273 774098) markets homes at the club and also properties at Playa Paraiso, a small development near La Manga. A two bedroom bungalow is from just under £110,000.

IPI is also selling homes at several new developments, including Sucina Golf & Country Club, which is inland, and Mar Menor and El Valle golf resorts.

Head for the beach to find Spain’s hottest spot. October 2003
Howard Taylor, of the international property agent IPI, reports a high demand for such properties. “The apartments have balconies, underground car parking and a communal swimming pool, and the site is close to the three golf courses of La Manga, so rental returns should be good, ” he says.

Great escape as the Costa Calida Calls. July 2004
Howard Taylor, of Brighton based Intercontinental Property Investments (IPI), is promoting a small development near Los Alcazares, a lovely town inland of Murcia’a Mar Menor, about 10 minutes from the existing airport and near the ancient manor and estate of the Duke of Urbina. Originally given to the duke in return for loyalty to the crown, the area is steeped in history.

“ He sold the land on condition that everything is built in a traditional style, with the typical studded wooden doors, fountains and arched walkways,” says Taylor. “the Costa Calida is getting a few more touches of glamour associated with the Marbella scene, but hopefully of the right sort,” says Taylor.
Senorio de Roda homes off-plan start at £89,200 for a two bedroom apartment with townhouses from £150,700. Completion is set for next autumn. A new 18 hole golf course will have luxury facilities.

“With the new airport, I think the potential is colossal for investors. Many buyers are Spanish and with the strong pound, the British are getting a discount.”

IPI also handles a small development of 39 townhouses near the village of Dolores, further inland from the Hacinda de Roda where prices are still very attractive.