New developments in Costa del Sol
Contents
Costa del Sol and new residential complexes — brief overview
Construction timelines and quality
Gated apartment complex in new development
Purchasing new construction with sea view
Separate housing outside the complex
New villas
Townhouse and bungalow: no longer as popular as before
Top 5 new developments on Costa del Sol
Book a tour of Costa del Sol new developments
1. Costa del Sol and new residential complexes — brief overview
Costa del Sol is the southern and most expensive coastline of Spain, located in the Andalusia region. The Atlantic current ensures water temperatures typically in the range of 22–24°C, which explains why swimming pools are a mandatory element of new residential complexes. The region attracts affluent buyers from Western and Northern Europe: British, Belgians, French, Scandinavians, Russians, and residents of Arab countries.
Estepona and adjacent areas west of Marbella are being developed most actively. In Malaga, new construction is minimal since the city is oriented more towards work and education rather than resort housing. Marbella remains the center of luxury, however real estate prices start from €400,000 due to high demand and limited amount of available land.
Estepona is rapidly developing with support from local authorities: a hospital opened here in 2019, and a stadium is under construction. The city is also known for its picturesque flower beds and wide beach approximately 70 meters wide. Housing in this area is considered reasonably priced and liquid for investments.
Current prices: “old” two-bedroom apartments from 1984–1986 cost around €150,000 (€180,000 after renovation), while similar new constructions start from €200,000 — somewhat more expensive, but with modern amenities.
2. Construction timelines and quality
Construction timelines vary significantly depending on the type of property. Individual low-rise houses can be built in six months, while developer projects usually take 9–18 months from permit approval to completion. The average construction period is about one year. Developers intentionally do not accelerate the process to leave time for marketing and attracting buyers.
In recent years, construction quality has improved significantly. Modern new builds are equipped with heated floors, multimedia technologies, high ceilings, and ready-to-use kitchens with modern appliances, including dishwashers.
3. Gated apartment complex in new development
The most popular format currently is apartments in gated complexes with shared infrastructure. Swimming pools — outdoor, indoor, heated or unheated — are a mandatory element. Complexes usually consist of three to four-story residential buildings with 8–16 apartments each, surrounded by playgrounds, landscaped areas with palm trees, and barbecue zones.
Management companies maintain common areas year-round, for which residents pay about €150 per month. Modern apartments are spacious with plenty of natural light; American-style kitchens with islands have become standard.
Las Mesas Homes in Estepona is an example of this category: two-bedroom apartments with two bathrooms from €214,000. Such properties are particularly suitable for rental: management companies typically charge 20% of rental income for working with tenants in the owner’s absence.
4. Purchasing new construction with sea view
More than 70% of requests from affluent buyers include sea views, which prompts developers to construct properties on hillsides. Such properties are usually oriented so that all windows of living rooms and bedrooms face the coastline, while rear walls adjoin the slope or face an inner courtyard. In some properties, the entrance is located on upper floors, and an elevator is required to descend to lower levels.
Construction is carried out in phases. The success of sales in the first phase determines whether subsequent phases will be implemented. First-phase apartments may cost €300,000, while in the second phase the price increases to €380,000 with additional options available — heated floors, smart home systems, or split air conditioning. If the first phase fails to sell, subsequent construction may not proceed.
Swimming pools and recreation areas are part of the complex infrastructure. Elite complexes include climate control systems, individual elevators, underground parking, and garages for multiple cars. Some provide three parking spaces per apartment. High-class security systems include fingerprint entry. Depending on equipment, apartment costs in elite complexes range from €300,000 to €3,000,000.
Several complexes provide separate entrances to apartments, creating an atmosphere of privacy like in a villa. Many such properties remain vacant most of the year — owners use them only during vacations.
5. Separate housing outside the complex
Single multi-story buildings outside complexes exist but are less popular among tourists. They are usually located in city centers or quiet areas without sea views. Such properties attract local families and offer proximity to schools and kindergartens at favorable prices. Most of them lack common areas, although some developers install rooftop pools.
Separate multi-apartment projects, such as Puerto Blanco or Infinity houses in Estepona, offer two-bedroom apartments from €123,000 plus €70 per month for utilities. Young Spanish families typically purchase such housing with mortgages.
Among buyers of separate housing, British buyers constitute a notable share. Dinner in London costs about £100 for a family of five, while on the Spanish coast fresh seafood with wine costs significantly less. A pint of beer in English pubs costs more than 4 pounds, in Spanish bars — about 1.50 euros. 320 sunny days per year is an additional advantage of Spain.
6. New villas
Villas are built as individual projects or within complexes. La Finca de Marbella residence offers houses under construction (from 300 m²) on plots up to 1,000 m² for €900,000, with final costs up to €1,500,000.
Price depends on numerous factors: location, orientation, and presence of a basement significantly affect cost. South-facing windows provide sunlight all day, while western orientation reduces cost due to intense evening sun. Parking solutions vary — some owners create dedicated spaces, others use shared parking.
Villas in gated complexes are provided with 24-hour security, allowing owners to leave with peace of mind. Property management services costing about €500 per month include alarm systems, gardeners, and pool maintenance. Complex size affects service costs — large complexes offer more favorable rates. Premium complexes (La Zagaleta, Atalaya, Rio Real, Los Flamingos, Sierra Blanca, Nagueles) along the Marbella–Benahavis road feature the highest prices.
Owners of separate villas negotiate with service providers independently. Modern architectural trends emphasize impressive entrance groups with hanging gardens, panoramic windows, or waterfalls — depending on budget and preferences.
7. Townhouse and bungalow: no longer as popular as before
Townhouses and bungalows are vertical housing with shared walls between neighbors. The first floor usually contains kitchen, guest toilet, and living room, sometimes a guest bedroom. The second floor has two or three bedrooms and additional bathrooms.
The third floor is a solarium — a rooftop terrace used for sunbathing, storage, home office, or setting up jacuzzi and barbecue areas.
This type of housing was historically popular, but demand has decreased due to vertical layout and numerous stairs, which is inconvenient for elderly people and families with small children. New townhouses on golf courses in Estepona start from €260,000.
8. Top 5 new developments on Costa del Sol
Alcazaba Lagoon: Complex near Estepona where construction of third and fourth phases is underway. Main feature is an artificial lagoon of 1.4 hectares with clean water, the largest on the coast. Around the lagoon is family infrastructure: children’s water sports training, organized activities, and a golf course. Distance to sea is 2 kilometers. Two-bedroom apartments from €278,000.
Valle Romano: Apart-hotel complex on golf courses in Estepona, guaranteeing returns of at least 5% annually. Income above this threshold is shared in 80/20 proportion between owners and management company. The complex independently attracts tenants, which is ideal for passive investors. Owners cannot use the property more than eight weeks per year. Two-bedroom apartments with two bathrooms and terraces from €99,000.
BlueSunset: Apartments under construction near Manilva with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and shared pools. Prices from €129,000 to €229,000 depending on floor and area.
The Island: Five-story townhouses with barbecue areas and jacuzzi on the top floor, located directly on Estepona’s coastline. Residents have access to lounge areas, pools, gardens, and private beach access. Prices from €1,200,000; this is a luxury-class property.
Emare: The most luxurious first-line complex between Estepona and Marbella. Prices from €3,200,000. Owners have access to heated and infinity pools with panoramic sea views.
9. Book a tour of Costa del Sol new developments
VirtoProperty conducts excursion tours of the best new developments on Costa del Sol. We recommend allocating at least three days for a comprehensive viewing. English-speaking agents provide full support at all stages, including monitoring construction progress with photo and video reports directly from construction sites.