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Within an industry traditionally dominated by men, Spanish architect Eva Nombela Medina was ecstatic when Dubai Properties approached her office in Alicante in Spain and asked her to become the lead designer on a massive residential project in Dubailand. Just one glance at the plans for the thousands of Spanish villa's proposed for the area reveals the enormity of the project Eva has since undertaken, but despite heading up such a prestigious project, and perhaps in typical Spanish-style, Eva remains an endearingly modest professional.
Born in Madrid 37-years ago, Eva vocalised from a young age her wish to follow her father's footsteps and become an architect. She did exactly that, and today is one of a small circle of women in the business who can boost owning her very own company.
The reason Eva caught the attention of developers in Dubai is because Spanish style architecture is much sought after in Dubai and Eva is one woman who knows this style inside out. Eva's plans for 'The Villa' project sees 35,000,000 square feet of land transformed into a Mediterranean paradise with unique Spanish villas built to represent various parts of Spain, such as Barcelona, Alicante or Cordoba. Each Spanish villa promises meticulous detail, so much so, that historians have even been brought in to ensure that her designs adhere with the exact design details that would appear on villas from different regions throughout Spain.
Many Arabs love the Mediterranean lifestyle and that is why Spanish architecture is so popular in Dubai. The Arab and Spanish cultures have very close ties indeed and despite religious differences, there are numerous similarities between our lifestyles, and this translates into the architecture of both places too, says Eva.
The Arabs had a great presence in Spain for a long time, and elements of their existence is still very evident in many ways today. The Arab people tend to identify with Spain and its people - they feel at home there very quickly. Perhaps they can sense their own heritage there. In the South of Spain in particular, the climate, the humidity, the plant life and the lifestyle is all very similar to the Middle East.
When asked what it is like to undertake a project in the world's fastest growing metropolis, Eva replied that Dubai is an architect's paradise. Projects architects get to work on here would never be possible in Europe. Nowhere else can you find so much space to work with, so much free reign to design as you please, and most importantly so many clients with money ready to invest. Without a doubt as an architect Dubai is the most exciting place to work. There are no limits here and an architect's creativity is allowed to flow and develop without restriction.
However that lack of restriction and the lack of rules governing the continuity of style when it comes to the aesthetics of Dubais architecture has, according to Eva, also given rise to some shockingly bad architecture erected in Dubai over the years. But then again, they are hopefully drowned out by the good stuff to look at, like the Emirates Towers and the Burj Al Arab, she says.
Read more UAE News on www.7days.ae
Within an industry traditionally dominated by men, Spanish architect Eva Nombela Medina was ecstatic when Dubai Properties approached her office in Alicante in Spain and asked her to become the lead designer on a massive residential project in Dubailand. Just one glance at the plans for the thousands of Spanish villa's proposed for the area reveals the enormity of the project Eva has since undertaken, but despite heading up such a prestigious project, and perhaps in typical Spanish-style, Eva remains an endearingly modest professional.
Born in Madrid 37-years ago, Eva vocalised from a young age her wish to follow her father's footsteps and become an architect. She did exactly that, and today is one of a small circle of women in the business who can boost owning her very own company.
The reason Eva caught the attention of developers in Dubai is because Spanish style architecture is much sought after in Dubai and Eva is one woman who knows this style inside out. Eva's plans for 'The Villa' project sees 35,000,000 square feet of land transformed into a Mediterranean paradise with unique Spanish villas built to represent various parts of Spain, such as Barcelona, Alicante or Cordoba. Each Spanish villa promises meticulous detail, so much so, that historians have even been brought in to ensure that her designs adhere with the exact design details that would appear on villas from different regions throughout Spain.
Many Arabs love the Mediterranean lifestyle and that is why Spanish architecture is so popular in Dubai. The Arab and Spanish cultures have very close ties indeed and despite religious differences, there are numerous similarities between our lifestyles, and this translates into the architecture of both places too, says Eva.
The Arabs had a great presence in Spain for a long time, and elements of their existence is still very evident in many ways today. The Arab people tend to identify with Spain and its people - they feel at home there very quickly. Perhaps they can sense their own heritage there. In the South of Spain in particular, the climate, the humidity, the plant life and the lifestyle is all very similar to the Middle East.
When asked what it is like to undertake a project in the world's fastest growing metropolis, Eva replied that Dubai is an architect's paradise. Projects architects get to work on here would never be possible in Europe. Nowhere else can you find so much space to work with, so much free reign to design as you please, and most importantly so many clients with money ready to invest. Without a doubt as an architect Dubai is the most exciting place to work. There are no limits here and an architect's creativity is allowed to flow and develop without restriction.
However that lack of restriction and the lack of rules governing the continuity of style when it comes to the aesthetics of Dubais architecture has, according to Eva, also given rise to some shockingly bad architecture erected in Dubai over the years. But then again, they are hopefully drowned out by the good stuff to look at, like the Emirates Towers and the Burj Al Arab, she says.Read more UAE News on www.7days.ae
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Coming to the property market, which is the subject under discussion, it must be pointed out that foreigners hold exactly the same legal rights as Ecuadorians to owning property anywhere in the country. Once you have completed the purchase of a house, apartment or land in Ecuador, you can also apply for a residence visa immediately. This process is generally finalised within one month of application given the aid of a good lawyer.
The prices are undoubtedly good and there is much on the market ranging from hotels and guest-houses to more modest second-home purchases.
The examples given cover three distinctly different environments:
Deluxe ocean-front condos available in the province of Manabi for dhs 330,000. Boasts first-class landscape, barbeque area, jacuzzi, gazebos, valet parking and 24 hour security. Romantic, spacious and fully equipped river-front house on 5,990 square feet of land. Asking price: dhs473,000 (negotiable). Built in 2004, it is fully furnished and equipped to western standards.
Available on the beautiful vistas of the Andean mountains, a well-maintained apartment located on the seventh floor of a ten-storey building. Only two apartments per floor, with two elevators for each floor. Fully furnished with appliances. Asking price:dhs605,550. All in all, Ecuador may seem a long way from the UAE, but if you are pining for that now for something completely different second-home environment, it is most certainly worth the trouble.
Andy McTiernan is editor-in-chief of Property World Middle East. Contact him at pworld@eim.ae
www.propertyworldme.com
Confidence in the longevity of a new-found stability has sparked a roaring economic renaissance in the kingdom. Like most nation states emerging from the political and socio-economic wilderness as a tourist destination, the property market has evolved as one of the pillars underpinning new Cambodia. Albeit under the jurisdiction of a regulatory model adopted from Thailand, there is far more room for growth in a property sector that starts at a significantly lower price pitch than its established Thai cousin.
The most secure framework for foreign nationals to purchase land or property within Cambodia is to form a limited company in partnership with a Cambodian citizen. In this case, 49 per cent of the land or property is allocated to the foreigner and 51 per cent to the Cambodian business partner. However, prior to any investment transaction, the Cambodian citizen must sign a written agreement assigning complete power of attorney to the foreign national in respect of the land holding and the business process of the company.
A more expensive alternative for a foreigner is to gain an honorary Cambodian citizenship by donating in excess of dhs143,000 to the government for the benefit of the people of Cambodia. That allows the foreign donor to acquire 100 per cent ownership and complete use of any land or property purchased within the country.
So what can you get for your money? Heres what: In Siem Reap province: New villa for sale in a well-populated area. Two bedrooms attached with two baths, large car parking. Price dhs202,000.
And this: Phnom Penh: Don't miss this one! Villa for sale, just a short distance from the main road in a well- populated area. Three floors with five beautiful bedrooms attached with four bathrooms, two living rooms, dining room, kitchen, small garden and carport. Price: dhs605,500. And heres yet another possibility: Sihanouk Ville: Great location on the main road just 500 metres from downtown. On two floors with four bedrooms and five bathrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, large car parking and beautiful big garden. Price: one million dirhams.
There are other forms of ownership including those with a lease-back period of 70 years to 99 years from a Cambodian citizen or marriage to same.
So, what are you waiting for?
Andy McTiernan is the editor-in-chief of Property World Middle East. Contact him at pworld@eim.ae
www.propertyworldme.com
Christopher returned to the island in 1493 and founded the first Spanish colony in the New World, the city of Isabella. So, in some respects, the Dominican Republic was already a property hot-spot in the 15th and 16th century. Today, the island has extremely strong political and economic ties with North America: in fact, the Dominican American community in the US remit an estimated three billion dollars per annum to relatives at home.
The country used to enjoy GDP growth of more than seven per cent between 1998 and 2000 before it got hit by the global economic slowdown. Things are getting better now and with the economy looking like it has hit bottom, it may be an auspicious time to buy property if you consider it as a long-term investment or a Caribbean second-home escape.
There is a crop of top quality, low-rise new-build property in the pipeline at very acceptable prices. The climate is tropical with minimal seasonal temperature variation and cyclical rainfall. Add to this a mixed terrain of rugged highlands interspersed with fertile valleys and you have a very desirable destination.
At 48,380 square kilometres, the Dominican Republic is slightly more than half the size of the UAE. By the look of it, there is considerable scope for development. While new builds are the theme of this article, a yen for the classic conquistador or a plantation farmhouse may also be satisfied here. La Altagracia, for example, is a beautiful expanse of wide open space attracting many new residents every year. The golf estate boasts more or less perfect all-year weather conditions aside. Here is a sample of whats on offer: The apartments at La Gema Bahia come with full air-conditioning; the master bedroom comes with an on-suite bathroom and direct access to the balcony or terrace, combined dining and living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and views of the golf course. Price: dhs960,000.
Also, take a look at this: Palma Cana Golf Apartments is a luxury residential estate within the Cocotal Golf and Country Club. The Development consists of 24 apartments, one to three bedrooms, and communal swimming pool. Choice of ground floor or first floor apartments, views of the golf course, starting at dhs495,000.
Quite an appealing alternative in the tropics, wouldnt you say?
Andy McTiernan is the editor-in-chief of Property World Middle East. Contact him at pworld@eim.ae
www.propertyworldme.com