PROPERTY LANZAROTE Do It Yourself If you want a holiday home with character and year-round sun, a self-build in Lanzarote is a good bet, says Laura Latham
One of the most popular winter sun destinations for British holidaymakers, the Canary Island of Lanzarote offers a mix of great beaches, bustling resorts, rural villages and dramatic, volcanic scenery. And if you want to buy a little piece of it for yourself you’ll find that the holiday-home market has properties to suit all tastes. In the main resort areas such as Playa Blanca and Puerto Del Carmen there are plenty of nice and affordable “lock and leave” apartments and villas in serviced developments. These work perfectly well for those who want something easy and secure for a few weeks or months a year. A reasonable two-bedroom apartment or bungalow in a popular location will cost from around £130,000, though it is possible to find small one-beds for under £90,000. Attractive three- to four-bedroom homes cost from around £220,000 upwards, depending on size and location. However, for those looking for something they can put their personal stamps on, self-builds or renovations are good alternatives. Whether you plan to relocate from the UK, or use your new home for holidays and rentals, these options offer character as well as contemporary comforts. Martin Sargent moved to Lanzarote from Kent just over 25 years ago and lives there with his wife, Natalie, and 19-year-old son, Luke. “I love the slow pace of life in Lanzarote and the friendly people,” Sargent says. “The winters here are fabulous, sunny and mild, and we have a very outdoors and family-friendly lifestyle.” Sargent took his first steps in the local property market when he bought and renovated an old farmhouse in the early 1990s. Since then, he’s built several family homes on the island and he now has his own construction and renovation firm, Natura Design (naturadesign.net). Thanks to early campaigning by famous local architect César Manrique, building regulations on Lanzarote are quite rigid in order to preserve the native environment and architecture. Sargent says it isn’t difficult to do up or build a traditional-style place but it helps if you understand the red tape and can oversee the work, otherwise you need a project manager. “It’s difficult without having someone on site in case there are problems,” he says. “And you really need someone with local knowledge of contractors and regulations.” Lanzarote is a UNESCO-protected biosphere, so you can only build in designated areas, and old A two-bedroom apartment in a popular location will cost from around £130,000 houses must be renovated in the traditional style within the footprint of the original building. “Building your own villa will cost around £900 per square metre and take about two years. Renovations are less cost effective so will be about £1,000 per square metre,” explains Sargent. “You can buy a 1,000 square metre plot for around £130,000, so you can get a bespoke villa for around £220,000.” Sargent is currently selling a lovely fourbedroom house with a pool that he designed and built six years ago in a village near Puerto Del Carmen. The traditional-look property is on the market for £415,000 and rents well year round. Another die-hard Lanzarote fan is Benn Atkinson, who came to the island 18 years ago from Surrey, with his wife, Zoe. The couple have two children, Talulah Ruby, 14, and Noah, 12, NOVEMBER– DECEMBER This spread: the Sargent family moved to Lanzarote from Kent. Dad Martin renovates their family homes Jet2.com 75
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