ABPM now representing The Villages Group – a new concept for active over 50’s living in France

by Georgina France

AB Property Marketing, the UK based leading property PR agency, is pleased to announce the representation of The Villages Group – a new concept for active over 50’s living in France.

Brought to the market by established marketers/developers Property Direct France, the concept for The Villages Group has taken four years of research and development to create the first active living resorts in France dedicated to the over 50’s. Designed for living, the Villages situated near existing French communities in Bordeaux / Perigord, Canal du Midi and Provence offer one-level eco-friendly homes set within outstanding natural environments with full on-site amenities.

Danny Silver, MD of The Villages Group, explains,
“The Villages Group draws inspiration from the established +50 active living resorts which have become so popular in the US and Australia. Accommodating only residents of 50 years and above, The Villages are geared up for active living with purposefully no medical or nursing facilities on-site. All Villages are English speaking and bring together like-minded people looking to enjoy the wonderful French way of life.”

Sales begin in mid-2012 with houses from €165,000 in three stunning locations across southern France, owners of homes at The Villages are able to fully enjoy all on-site amenities including tennis courts, gymnasium, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and quality entertainment. Uniquely residents do not only own the land and freehold title of the property but also a full equal shareholding of the entire Village.

Charlotte Ashton, Director of AB Property Marketing, comments,

“Having worked with Mr Silver and the Property Direct France team before we are very excited to be promoting this new concept. France remains one of the most sought after second home and indeed relocation destinations in the world with more and more people attracted to the relaxed pace of life, charming natural landscapes and lower cost of living.

“Dedicated communities for over 50’s have been well established in other western nations and it is exciting to be able to introduce this to France.”

For more information or media enquiries on the active lifestyle living concept, The Villages and indeed locations in which they are situated please contact the team at ABPM on + 44 (0) 207 952 7227 / + 44 (0) 1737 222 334 or c.ashton@abpropertymarketing.co.uk. High res masterplan images and expert market comment are also available upon request.

Nice and easy! Improved accessibility increases popularity of south of France…

by Georgina France

 

Having served over 100 million customers since its launch on 14th November 1994, Eurostar – the high-speed train link between the UK and France and Belgium – recently celebrated its 15th birthday. Announcing that in the past 15 years they have totted up mileage equivalent to 338 journeys to the moon the service has opened up Europe to a much wider audience, allowing travellers greater choice and making their trips to the continent easy and hassle-free.
 
The Eurostar service and its attributing ease of accessibility is a key reason why France has become renowned as a top global tourist destination, with the World Tourism Organisation announcing that it was the most popular tourist destination in the world in 2008 with 79.8 million visitors, as well as being a very popular destination for second home owners.
 
With its cultural treasures, wealth of gastronomic treats and air of sophistication, Paris is not only the country’s capital but also France’s top tourist destination, with the Eurostar service connecting directly to the city from three destinations in the UK. Succeeded only by Paris, however, the city of Nice on the Côte d’Azur or French Riviera has been ranked as the second most popular destination for tourists in France, according to the CRT Riviera Côte d´Azur – Observatoire du Tourisme.
 
Especially ever-popular with British holidaymakers, and those buying property outside of the UK, the city of Nice in the south of France is famous for its long sandy beaches and glamorous sea-fronts and has certainly benefited from increased accessibility in recent years.
 
Kirkor Ajderhanyan, MD and Owner of Agence 107 Promenade, agrees,
 
“Since the launch of the Eurostar service 15 years ago as well as the improved road network and flight routes in recent times, Nice – and the Côte d´Azur in general – has benefited greatly by a growth in tourism. Always having been popular due to its stunning scenery and sophisticated Promenade, improved accessibility certainly makes for more people visiting the region and this is good news for those investing in property in Nice as they are able to rent out to the tourist market as well as use the property personally.”
 
Connecting services from the Eurostar offer customers the chance to travel from the UK to the south of France by train in approximately 8-9 hours. Departing from St Pancras International in London, Ebbsfleet International or Ashford International in Kent, travellers take the Eurostar to either Paris or Lille and then a connecting TGV train to the beautiful Nice-Ville Station. Travelling by train allows a stress-free journey that is most suitable for those looking to enjoy the French scenery but still arrive at their destination on the Côte d´Azur the same day, as well as those conscious of their carbon footprint as the Eurostar is a carbon-neutral way to travel, generating just one tenth of the CO² of an equivalent flight. A single fare from St Pancras International to Nice, costs from £58 one-way.
 
Alternatively, the more traditional means of travel to Nice would be by plane – jetting off from destinations across the UK and arriving at Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport, the second largest airport in France with October 2009 seeing 854,607 passengers pass through. With a range of carriers flying to Nice, there is a wide choice of charter and scheduled flights available. Air France, for example, is one scheduled carrier that operates a service to Nice from 225 world cities, and having seen a successful summer 2009 with an increase of 14% in passenger numbers, this a suitable option for those based outside of south-east England as well as those interested in a short journey-time to the south of France, such as families with children.
 
When flying, however, the choice does not have to be limited to scheduled flights, for those looking for greater flexibility and a more luxurious travel option, private jets also offer services to Nice. This option is clearly for those with deeper pockets but as Jon Ingi Jonsson, Managing Director of private jet company Icejet comments,
 
“Aircraft charter is not just for the super rich… Our Dornier 328 aircraft can carry a large group in comfort with a generous 750kg cargo hold with enough space for all their luggage, ski gear or golf clubs. At a more cost effective price than a Gulfstream 4 or 5, Falcon or Challenger 600 Series it is ideal for the short-haul leisure market.”
 
If, however, you see your holiday starting the moment you leave home, driving to the French Riviera may be the option for you. Travelling to the south of France by road allows time to enjoy the French scenery and make the most of the travelling time as well as the time spent at your destination. There are many classic routes through France that can be enjoyed by car, taking travellers through the rolling hills of Provence’s wine-country and quaint French villages, with views of breathtaking mountains and vineyards. Nice is an easy destination to reach as it is connected by a motorway route that has five entrances to various parts of the city and the surrounding area: Promenade de Anglais, Saint-Augustin, Saint-Isidore, Nice-Nord and Nice-Est.
 
With so many easy ways to reach the south of France and to take advantage of its accessibility and popularity, there are also various choices when investing in property in and around Nice. In central Nice, in the heart of the city Place Masséna, is a beautiful third floor two bedroom apartment, with entrance, American kitchen, living room, bathroom and terrace of 35 sqm. In excellent condition, the apartment is on the market at € 560,000.
 
Alternatively, if the famous Promenade des Anglais is more your scene, a seventh floor apartment on the seafront might well be the ideal choice. With living room, two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, separate WC and balcony with sea views, the apartment is close to the town and is for sale at €228,000.
 
If, however, you would rather be situated outside of the hustle and bustle of the city itself, a villa next to the famous village of Saint Paul is available, with a private pool and flower garden as well as three bedrooms, three bathrooms, living room with fireplace, dining room and an independent studio. With 175 m² of living space on a plot of 1550m², the villa is in good condition and on the market for €950,000.
 
For further information on any of the properties, and other options available, contact Agence 107 Promenade on 00 33 4 93 44 83 83 or visit www.107promenade.com.

Make a reservation – Limpopo-Lipadi Game and Wilderness reserve´s first completed lodge welcomes shareholders

by Georgina France

 

The Limpopo-Lipadi Game and Wilderness reserve in Botswana is reaching a pinnacle in its development. The first of six lodges, River Camp, has been completed and will welcome its visitors, a select group of shareholders, in early March 2009.  
 
Combining the concept of outdoor living with a rustic industrial design, River Camp creates a unique environment with stunning views of the Limpopo River. Comprising a selection of 2 and 3 bedroom fully furnished units set around a central facility which includes a kitchen, boma (communal area), dining room and swimming pool River Camp will offer guests the option of privacy or community living. The units will be serviced daily and guests can self cater or make use of one of the reserve´s chefs.
 
In keeping with the ethos of sustainability at Limpopo-Lipadi the building materials used have been carefully considered. A blend of natural canvas, copper and rusted metals combine to create a camp which is suited to its surroundings. Internally, the markings of the Woodland Kingfisher (blue and black) have been incorporated into the colour scheme of browns, greys and natural creams and the modern approach to the interior has been softened with key pieces of African art created by local craftsmen.
 
Founded nearly 5 years ago the reserve is the vision of a group passionate about the African bush, ecology and true sustainability. “We are very excited about what this year will mean for the reserve” says Alan Marneweck, founder, director and shareholder of Limpopo-Lipadi. “We have worked very hard to make the reserve a welcoming place for shareholders and their guests and we look forward to the feedback that we get from them as the first lodge is occupied this March.”
 
And this is what makes the reserve so unique. Individuals from all over the world own these 32,450 hectares of land found in the malaria free Tuli block of eastern Botswana. Entry level investment in this project is $195,000 and all that is required alongside the finance is a real passion about Africa, its people, its animals and making a sustainable reserve a reality.
 
It’s not just the shareholders who will be enjoying a new home however as alongside River Camp, as part of Limpopo-Lipadi´s corporate social responsibility programme, a new staff village has been constructed on the reserve providing high quality accommodation for the employees, most of whom are from the local communities. The staff village has been constructed using the eco friendly sandbag technique which limits the use of carbon emitting building products and subsequently reduces the reserve´s carbon footprint, a key sustainability factor. Limpopo-Lipadi employees are now enjoying structures that are cool in summer yet warm in the winter unlike the typical corrugated tin dwellings in the surrounding villages as well as new, transferable skills such as the sandbag construction technique.
 
Marneweck continues: “There are plans in the future for an expansion of the land known as the Limpopo-Lipadi Game & Wilderness reserve, construction of a boutique commercial lodge and more schemes to introduce endangered species but right now we are celebrating this significant stage in the reserve´s story.”
 
And the story of the people of Botswana is not as far from the UK as one might think as Alexander McCall Smith, the prolific Scottish author of the No.1 Detective Agency is about to release his ninth book of the series, “Tea Time for the Traditionally Built” in April 2009. The first book which has been adapted into a TV film and was aired on UK screens in March 2008 brought the African bush and its people right into the nation´s homes. Due to the success of the film, the BBC has recorded a second series which is due to air in winter 2009.
 
As Limpopo-Lipadi embarks upon a new chapter, for its local and international employees and shareholders the greatest hope is that this will be the first in a long series of exciting and significant steps for the reserve.
 

If you would like any further information on Limpopo-Lipadi please call 0871 244 5152 or visit www.limpopo-lipadi.com .