The Sunday Telegraph ran a feature on Madeira in the Life section yesterday, looking at the appeal of the island in the current climate. The island is described as having “Britain written all over it” and being “more upmarket than Mediterranean rivals”.
Owners at Palheiro Village, Bob and Harriet Gray, are quoted, saying that they “adore Madeira” and “fell in love” with Palheiro Village, which is also described as being the “island’s poshest scheme”.
Homes Overseas magazine’s May edition (out now) rates Palheiro Village’s fractional scheme among the top 10 world wide developments offering this “fashionable purchasing scheme”!
The magazine also features Palheiro Village in the Madeira section of an overview article about buying in Portugal, stating this is a “scheme worth considering for a second home purchase” and that it’s “success has enthused plans to construct two further golf courses on the island”.
The article also enthuses about Madeira, commenting that it “offers a pleasurable, year-round subtropical climate and lush tropical landscape, making it a popular second home destination.”
Palheiro Village, the exclusive Real Estate development on Madeira island is featured on the Guardian online website in the property gallery.
Palheiro Village residents get use of the golf course, hotel facilities and motor yacht.
Link to article: http://tinyurl.com/da4ss2
The prestigious Palheiro Estate Group has published an aerial photography gallery which displays stunning shots of the Palheiro Village complex with its villas, apartments and surrounding areas, plus breathtaking shots towards Funchal and the Atlantic Ocean. The gallery has an interesting zoom function that allows close inspection of selected parts of the images.
Visit the Aerial Photography Gallery here: Palheiro Golf Aerial Gallery
It’s a buyer’s market, especially for investors looking abroad and now they have the chance to make their dream of a house in the sun a reality by buying a share of a property, an option on offer in Madeira, writes Majella O’Sullivan
Irish Independent, 20 February 2009
By Majella O’Sullivan
Friday February 20 2009
In these times of economic uncertainty, the prospect of leaving it all behind and escaping to your home in the sun is more attractive than ever before.
For those of us who still don’t have a place abroad to call home, there has probably never been a better time to start looking. They say it’s a buyer’s market and this is as much the case for overseas properties as it is for the domestic market.
Of course, there are always options when buying a property abroad that makes it a more realistic prospect for investors. Fractional ownership is a concept that’s grabbing the investor’s attention more than ever. This is when the buyer purchases a percentage share, say one quarter, of the property. The shares are sold to individual owners and each enjoys the privileges of owning it or sharing in the profits made. It also comes at a fraction of the cost of sole ownership.
Splash International is one of Ireland’s market leaders in the sale of luxurious overseas property. Established in 2004, it has already gained an unrivalled reputation for what the company says is its unique, personalised service where they will source the property, advise on legal requirements and even arrange financing.
Splash is now handling the sale of a luxurious development of apartments and villas at Palheiro Village on the island of Madeira. Better still, it even offers fractional ownership options so owning your own property on a beautiful island may not just be a pipe dream.
Palheiro Village
Palheiro Village is a development of 79 luxury freehold apartments and villas with spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and the city of Funchal.
The village is located within the Palheiro Estate, which dates back over 200 years when the first Count of Carvalhal built a hunting lodge there in 1804. The estate was acquired by John Burden Blandy in 1885 and to this day remains in Blandy family ownership. The family has returned the original lodge to its former glory and now runs it as Casa Velha do Palheiro, a luxurious country house hotel.
The Palheiro Gardens surrounding the lodge are a botanist’s heaven, famous for the variety of plants that grow there, collected over a period of 180 years, and the beauty of its hillside setting.
Winding its way through the estate is Palheiro Golf, an 18-hole course complete with golf academy and elegant clubhouse. The course designer, Cabell Robinson, created a challenging course that incorporates the Madeiran hills, ridges and a deep valley set against the serene backdrop of the surroundings.
About Madeira
I visited the Palheiro Estate in early September when there were still plenty of golfers making their way around the course in pleasant sunshine. Being located out in the Atlantic,600 miles southwest of Lisbon, Madeira’s temperate climate makes it the ideal year-round holiday destination. Summers in Portugal are generally hot and dry but Madeira, enjoys warm summers with refreshing sea breezes and mild winters.
Madeira is also a walker’s paradise. The island is of volcanic origin and hilly. Its coast is steep and rocky with deep eroded lava gorges that run down to the sea. Ironically, this composition means it will never be a haven for sun worshippers who have to travel to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo for sandy beaches. There is little danger of the island being over-developed as up to 70pc of the area is protected.
The Madeirans cut watercourses in the rock as a way of carrying water from springs up to the mountainside to irrigate their land. Today these ‘levadas’ form a network of courses, some of which have been developed as walking routes.
There’s plenty to see and do even if walking isn’t to your liking. The island itself is steeped in history, some of which is right on the doorstep of the Casa Velha.
Water sport enthusiasts will not be disappointed either by all that’s on offer. Both Funchal, the capital, and nearby Camara de Lobes have a wide range of restaurants which offer local and international cuisine. The excellent House of Fish in Camara de Lobes and its sister restaurant the House of Meat, will even arrange collection from Palheiro Village and drop you home again after your meal. The restaurants offer some of the finest examples of local food including the Madeiran speciality of steak chargrilled on a stick which can be enjoyed in the bustling atmosphere of this seaside eatery.
Funchal has an array of cafes and bars any of which are perfect spots for people watching or even for sampling some of the local Madeira wine. The Blandy family also produce their own wine and I was certainly surprised by just how many varieties of Madeira wine there were.
Planning restrictions
Palheiro Village exclusivity is heightened by the fact that developments such as these are rare on the island as there are strict planning restrictions in Madeira.
Furthermore, the Blandy family, which manages the development, states that it is their mission to uphold all that the family and the estate name of Palheiro stand for. Given that the family is still resident on the estate and has a 124-year association with the island, this is hardly surprising.
Majella O’Sullivan
The latest edition of the ‘Palheiro Estate’ newsletter is now available and filled with news about Palheiro Golf, Palheiro Village, Property Management, the launch of Fractional Freehold and some surprisingly interesting news regarding both silver and gold awards that have been awarded to Palheiro Village.
If you have an interest in property on Madeira island - you’ll want to get the latest stories and press releases in ‘Palheiro News’.
Get your copy by following this link:
Palheiro Village has received international recognition after being judged “Best Development - Portugal” and “Best Fractional Ownership Scheme – Silver” in the Homes Overseas Awards.
Roger Still, Development Manager, Palheiro Village receives the GOLD Award for BEST DEVELOPMENT PORTUGAL from Susan Clay of Barclays Bank
Roger Still, Development Manager, Palheiro Village receives the SILVER Award for BEST FRACTIONAL OWNERSHP SCHEME from Piers Brown of Fractional Life
The winners of the highly coveted Homes Overseas Awards were announced at a glittering Gala dinner and awards ceremony at The Grovsenor House Hotel in London on Friday, 28 November. The evening event was attended by property developers and property agents from all around the world and gave recognition to the very best international residential property projects. The Homes Overseas Awards are the most highly respected symbols of prestige and excellence in the overseas property sector.
The awards are made annually following a rigorous process, with shortlisted candidates being visited and assessed by a judge. The awards judge who visited Madeira was Marc Da-Silva, editor of the online version of Homes Overseas Magazine. After the awards ceremony, he said “Best Development Portugal was one of the most fiercely contested categories this year with a whole host of entries from across Portugal”. “Golf was awarded to Palheiro Village, as it is a truly magnificent development. I believe Palheiro has taken residential architecture on the island to a new level, and now stands to rival some of the best golf property developments in the more established golfing hotspot of the Algarve, at a fraction of the price”.
Palheiro Village comprises 79 luxury freehold apartments and villas with spectacular sea views over the Atlantic Ocean, forming part of The Palheiro Estate, an ideal haven for those seeking peace and relaxation, surrounded by the lushness of Madeira’s vegetation, nature and scenery, yet only 15 minutes drive from the charming and vibrant city of Funchal.
The origins of the estate go back over 200 years to 1804 when João, 1st Count of Carvalhal built a hunting lodge. In 1885, the estate was acquired by John Burden Blandy, in whose family it remains. The old house has been restored and transformed into Casa Velha do Palheiro, a `Relais & Chateaux´ country house hotel which welcomes golfers and those interested in exploring Madeira’s gardens, mountain scenery and levada walks.
Adjacent to Casa Velha are the Palheiro Gardens, famous not only for the variety of plants that grow there, but for the beauty of their hillside setting. The gardens form a rich collection of plants from many different parts of the world, gathered together over a period of 180 years or so.
Winding its way through the estate, Palheiro Golf comprises an 18-hole golf course, golf academy and elegant clubhouse The golf course architect Cabell Robinson has created a challenging golf course incorporating the characteristic Madeiran hills, ridges and deep valleys and reflecting the elegance and serenity of the surroundings. The clubhouse offers a relaxing ambience with an excellent all-day menu and breathtaking views over Funchal Bay.
Located conveniently close to the Palheiro Golf clubhouse, the Village offers a range of apartments and villas together with its own club facilities including swimming pool, pool bar and reception. Owners in Palheiro Village will also have access to the new Palheiro Spa, which is due to open mid-2009.
Palheiro Real Estate
For further information contact Roger Still or Anne Marchington
Tel: +351 291 794 015
Fax: +351 291 794 022
roger.still@palheiroestate.com
anne.marchington@palheiroestate.com
Auszug ein artikel von Ulf C. Göttges - BELLEVUE (Die Schönsten Immobilien der Welt)
Auf Madeira eröffnete ein Private-Residence-Projekt in einer atemberaubenden Lage. Schönere Aussichten sind schwer zu finden
Mit einem freundlichen „Hola!“ auf den Lippen begrüßt der deutsche Reisende den Taxifahrer am Flughafen von Funchal. Der freundliche kleine Chauffeur erwidert den Gruß mit einem vielsagenden Lächeln und antwortet „Bom dia!“, wobei er jedes Wort einzeln und deutlich betont. Er kennt das schon – die Gäste aus Deutschland sind so sehr auf „España“ fixiert, dass sie, sobald sie eine Insel betreten, reflexartig in ihr Urlaubsspanisch verfallen. Aber das hier ist Madeira, ein Teil Portugals, obwohl die Insel beinahe tausend Kilometer von der heimatlichen Küste entfernt im Atlantik liegt. Und hier heißt es „Bom dia“.
Früher, berichtet der Chauffeur in sehr gutem Englisch, dauerte die Fahrt nach Funchal eineinhalb Stunden. Berg rauf, Berg runter, Serpentinen, steile Abfahrten, nichts für schwache Mägen. Heute braucht das Taxi keine 15 Minuten auf einer Bilderbuchautobahn. Das verdanken die Einheimischen und die Besucher einem freundlichen älteren Herrn namens Alberto João Jardim. Seit 1978, also seit 30 Jahren, ist der ehemalige katholische Zeitungsverleger Präsident der autonomen Inselregierung. 30 Jahre – das riecht gewaltig nach einer heimlichen Diktatur. „Nie im Leben!“, ruft der Chauffeur aus, „der Mann ist einfach gut, darum wählen wir ihn immer wieder.“
Des Abends erscheint der Präsident persönlich. Palheiro Village, die erste Luxusvillenanlage der Insel, wird feierlich eröffnet. Fünf Minuten lang klingt seine Rede freundlich. Doch dann wechselt die Klangfarbe deutlich von Allegro zu Furioso. „Jetzt kriegt die Zentralregierung in Lissabon wieder ihr Fett weg“, übersetzt ein freundlicher Engländer, der den speziellen Zungenschlag des portugiesischen Inselidioms beherrscht. Alberto João Jardim gilt als kompromissloser Kämpfer für das Wohl Madeiras. Er beschaffte EU-Fördermittel und beschallte die Zentralregierung so lange, bis die Infrastruktur Madeiras zu blühen begann. Die Folge: Verirrten sich Anfang der siebziger Jahre nur rund 150.000 Touristen pro Jahr auf die Insel, waren es Mitte der neunziger Jahre 500.000. Und heute kommen eine Million Besucher.
Mallorca zieht zehnmal so viele Touristen an – aber das ärgert die Madeirenser nicht. Im Gegenteil, der Massentourismus ist nicht ihr Ziel, denn die ökologischen Folgen der jährlichen Invasion auf der rund 2.000 Kilometer östlich gelegenen Baleareninsel sind hier wohlbekannt. Und: Die Inselbewohner schätzen die Ruhe ihres beschaulichen Eilands. Zudem gäbe es hier gar keinen Platz für Strandrummel à la Ballermann, denn Madeira hat keine Strände. Stattdessen prägen spektakuläre Steilküsten die Silhouette.
Die Insel gleicht einem riesigen Garten – „der Garten Gottes“ sagen die Menschen hier. Und so wird sie auch behandelt: 75 Prozent der Fläche dürfen nicht bebaut werden. Mitten hindurch führen kleine, offene Kanäle, die das Wasser aus den Bergen oft über viele Kilometer zu den Feldern im Vorland leiten. Sie werden levadas genannt. Früher gingen die Bauern diese levadas regelmäßig ab, um sie sauber zu halten – und wanderten dabei stundenlang durch die verschiedenen Vegetationszonen bis hinauf zu den Gipfeln. Heute sind die Wanderungen längs der levadas das beliebteste Vergnügen für die ausländischen Gäste. Kein anderer Platz der Welt bietet Vergleichbares.
Am Rande dieses riesigen Gartens voller exotischer Bäume, Blumen, Gräser und Sträucher, liegt – auf einer der östlichen Anhöhen über Funchal – Palheiro Village. Ungläubig erkundigen sich ausländische Gäste der Eröffnungszeremonie, ob dies wirklich das erste und bisher einzige Private-Residence-Projekt der Insel sei. Ja, ist es. Wenn schon Tourismus, dann gut geplant, von höchster Qualität und so verwirklicht, dass sich niemand auf der Insel zehn Jahre später dafür schämen muss. Das ist die Entwicklungsphilosophie sowohl der Inselmächtigen als auch der Projektleitung.
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