november-2011

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
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