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Courtesy of Michel Cruz of Rimontgó
Located right in the historic heart of Madrid, the Mercado de San Miguel (San Miguel Market) occupies a square immediate adjacent to the famous Plaza Mayor. Though covered markets like this can be found in other parts of Spain, the Mercado de San Miguel is in many ways unique.
Originally built at the beginning of the 20th century, this beautiful steel construction exudes all the gentleness of style and proportion from the Art Nouveau era, complete with visible support structure and finely worked wrought iron detailing. But this is above all a haven for foodies, not just lovers of architecture.
With styling inspired by Les Halles de Paris, the market functioned like many others across the country, providing an indoor fresh produce market to the local community in the old centre of Madrid. For almost a century, this was where people came to buy fish, seafood, vegetables, fruit, meat and other delicacies.
The fact that the San Miguel market is also one of the most beautiful and architecturally valuable markets of its kind in Europe inspired stall keepers and the local authorities to raise the funds necessary for a thorough beautification project that has resulted in a particularly tasteful mix of classicism and modernity.
In general terms the industrial style structure with its Art Nouveau touches was stylishly restored to its former glory, but updated with modern facilities and finishing points that bring it fully up to date. Now a daytime market with a bit of a gastro feel it really comes to life in the evenings, when it turns into a fun venue for lovers of food, drink and socialising.
Since Spaniards are quite possibly world leaders in the joyful art of outdoor socialising, the Mercado becomes a lively hub where you have an amazing choice of Spanish, continental, Japanese, Asian and other delicacies accompanied by your favourite tipple. What’s more, with a diverse clientele from across the age groups the Mercado de San Miguel is also a welcome escape from crowds of rowdy youngsters.
Courtesy of Kirsty Bryson of Luxury Homes by VAPF
In 2011, Russia and Spain plan to boost their bilateral relations in the political, economic, cultural, humanitarian and educational ambits: it will be the Year of Russia in Spain and of Spain in Russia, also known as the Dual Year. Inaugurated on the 25th of February in St. Petersburg by King Juan Carlos of Spain and the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, this initiative was initially agreed on during the meeting between the mentioned Russian President and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero back in September 2009.
The events program will mainly feature activities of a cultural nature, with the Novosibirsk ballet company touring in Spain and the Spanish National Dance Company visiting Russia; the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg featuring an exhibition of paintings from the famous Madrid's El Prado museum and the the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts exhibiting works by famous Spanish painters Joan Miró and by one of the most controversial artists of the twentieth century, Salvador Dalí.
Spain will be the guest of honour at both the Moscow International Book Fair and the Moscow International Tourism Fair. Russia, in turn, will organize an exhibition in Spain about new technologies. The Russian and Spanish university deans will meet to discuss the development prospects of scientific cooperation between Russia and Spain. The traditional St. Petersburg Economic Forum will be held in June and again Spain will be present as guest of honour. A representative delegation headed by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is expected to attend this event.
All in all, a total of 350 cultural, sporting, scientific and economic events will be held in 2011 under the Year of Spain in Russia and Russia in Spain. According to the organizing committee co-chairman of the Russian side, the Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, the planned events will contribute to bring together the Russian and Spanish people and will stimulate the development of bilateral relations in on political, economic and other levels.
Cold Russia has historically always warmed to the Spanish way of life and is attracted to all things Spanish: its music, the Spanish guitar, wine, good food, temperament, passion, footwear, furniture, bulls, women, artists, flamenco, El Prado, Madrid, Granada, etc.. There is very much a large demand for Spanish products in Russia. Spain expects the arrival of some 600 thousand Russian tourists this year, and increase of 100 thousand on the total number that visited the country last year.
Courtesy of Michel Cruz of Rimontgó
While many bemoan the state of the property market, it is good to know that there are real estate companies that are recording good results. The success achieved may have been hard-fought, but it provides an encouraging sign that those who are willing to innovate and adapt – and are well-prepared in terms of marketing, organisational structure and the service they provide – can do well.
In terms of significant sales, i.e. the sale of so-called important properties, Inmobiliaria Rimontgó recorded four such transactions in its home market area in 2010. These included two luxurious villas in Jávea, along Spain’s scenic east coast, a large villa just off the city of Alicante, a little further south, and a grand property in the region of Elche.
But in addition to such ‘local’ transactions of note have come the fruits of the international cooperation that Rimontgó has worked so hard to develop, and which finds itself embodied in EREN (European Real Estate Network) and the other international organisations that the company belongs and contributes to.
Most notable among these are a luxury Vienna apartment bought by an American-based
couple that was being transferred to the Austrian capital. Working closely with its EREN partner in Vienna, Marshall Immobilien, Rimontgó succeeded in finding its transatlantic client a beautiful new home and concluding the multi-nation deal in an efficient and transparent manner.
Other enquiries for international real estate that came through Rimontgó’s award winning website and which were successfully concluded with the EREN partners in Switzerland,
Portugal, New York and Florida respectively, are:
· A record sale to a Danish citizen of an estate in Lugano listed at CHF30 million
· A beautifully restored city apartment bought by a French family in Lisbon’s historic Chiado district
· The close working relationship with its partners in New York was also emphasised in the purchase of an important apartment by a Venezuelan national
· When a Florida resident wanted to sell his property in the Oliva Nova Golf Course near Valencia, without having to travel to Europe. Powers of Attorney were issued on behalf of Rimontgó and the proceeds from the sale of the property to a Madrid family were wired to the seller, who was very pleased with the service received
It all proves that international cooperation between likeminded companies can produce excellent and mutually beneficial results. For Rimontgó, the good results of 2010 serve as further encouragement and reward for the hard work and dedication they have shown in pursuit of a clear and effective market strategy.
Going to Madrid? This beautiful city features thousands of high quality bars, cafés and restaurants, but none has quite the history of Restaurante Botin. Since 1725 this culinary phenomenon has been serving traditional Spanish cuisine to millions of happy customers. It even won a nod from The Guinness Book of Records as the oldest restaurant in the world.
Located conveniently close to Plaza Mayor, Restaurante Botin is one of those tourist experiences that should not be missed, ordinary madrileños also choose to dine there.
The menu comprises traditional Spanish fare, shunning the tiny, fussy chemical experiments so beloved of chefs de nouvelle cuisine in favour of good, hearty dishes.
We recommend the garlic soup with egg (sopa de ajo con huevo) or scrambled egg with black pudding and potato (revuelto de la casa) followed – providing you’re not a dedicated vegetarian - by one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, roast suckling pig (cochinillo asado) which is carved and served at your table, or the equally delicious roast lamb (cordero asado).
Spain’s cuisine might be famous throughout the world, thanks to the ever increasing interest in tapas dishes and the formidable reputation of El Bulli, but unfortunately dessert menus are sometimes disappointing, relying on the old favourites of crème caramel, ice cream or Manchego cheese with quince jelly (membrillo). Restaurante Botin’s dessert menu, by contrast, is packed with delights for the sweet-toothed. The bartolillos de Madrid are a delicious variety of cream puff and are especially recommended. The wine list, too, is a lengthy celebration of Spanish grapes, from bottles of affordable table wine to some of the country’s most exclusive and expensive vintages.
Historians have commented that the area in which Restaurante Botin stands is notable for the mixture of characters that once roamed its streets. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the lowest villains would rub shoulders with Madrid’s gentry here, and today that same egalitarian spirit lives on in the philosophy and ambience of this extraordinary restaurant.
Just a couple of the properties that Rimontgo has available for sale in Madrid city:
Luxury apartment in the historic centre
Apartment in iconic building, Madrid
Madrid properties?
Courtesy of Kirsty Bryson of Luxury Homes by VAPF
The President of the Valencia Region of Spain, Mr. Francisco Camps, said that the launch of the new high speed railway this December, linking the Spanish capital Madrid to the coastal city of Valencia, and the construction of the Mediterranean Corridor will multiply wealth expectations and competitiveness in the tourism sector. Mr. Camps expressed these words during the presentation of the Global Strategic Plan of Tourism of Valencia for the next ten years, which will reach 27 million tourists.
Thanks to this new fast connection with the capital, Spain is soon to overtake France and have the longest high-speed rail network across Europe and rank third in the world, something likely to create jobs and boost the country’s profile as a place with great transport links and accessibility. The new service will mean that Spain will then have over 2,000 kilometres of rail track compared to France which has 1,900 kilometres of rail track. The new link to Valencia will make the journey from Madrid only 90 minutes long, down from the current time of four hours. President Camps also made reference to the diversification of tourism that has taken place in the Valencia Region, noting that "the sector has been able to look into other fields and different ways to continue growing strongly into the future."
Specifically, the President Camps stressed that, in addition to maintaining traditional European markets, the tourism industry has opened up new markets like Eastern Europe or North America.
Referring again to the high speed train, known as the AVE, Camps pointed out that this infrastructure also must eventually reach the cities of Castellón and Alicante creating the “Mediterranean Corridor ", because only this way will the high speed railway effectively reach the Valencia region, made up of 3 provinces, Castellón, Valencia and Alicante. The AVE is a further boost to the tourism situation in Valencia.
By Ann Adenius of Signature Residences Worldwide
An outstanding, luxurious family home situated in La Moraleja, Madrid, is providing elegant and spacious accommodation – perfect for today’s family lifestyle and entertaining.
La Moreleja is the Madrileño version of Beverly Hills, a tranquil and spacious oasis of luxury villas with private gardens. Its residents include the internationally rich and famous, including film stars, impresarios, politicians and top company directors.
There are 26 schools in La Moraleja area alone (the Madrileño version of Beverly Hills) and about 16 of them are international. You can find for instance ICS (International College Spain), Runnymede College, King’s College School and others for French and Swedish students.
The villa features a living room with large windows, a dining room, a massive, high-tech modern kitchen and breakfast room. The stunning master bedroom comprises a reading and TV area, main bedroom, dressing room, a spectacular Spa bath and shower room. There are three further bedrooms, a music and TV room and a study.
4 bedrooms + 2 bedrooms in the service quarters. The villa offers approx. 1,100m² of living space, while the plot of land is 2,500m².
Price: Euro 9million
Signature Residences Worldwide
Tel: +44 (0)20 7095 8701
11
Modern Masterpiece, Madrid
By Ann Adenius of Signature Residences Worldwide
This spectacular modern masterpiece is truly a unique trophy property
The sculptural home truly amazes thanks to its visual impact and conceptual design: it’s a stratified building with texturized dark concrete facades.
The house is located in the exclusive Somosaguas area, northwest of Madrid.
The interior is full of surprises, solved with a very complex array of spaces with different heights and levels, as well as the particular shape of some of the rooms. The lower level contains the main hall -covered by a curved ceiling that accentuates its relevance-, living and dining rooms, master bedroom, gym, interior pool, kitchen and service areas. The basement is dedicated to health and leisure, with a bar, games room, chill out, massage room, media room, cellar and gym.
There are 5 bedrooms + 3 bedrooms for staff. The villa boasts 1,700 sqm of living space, on a 4,900 sqm plot of land.
Price: Euro 11million
Signature Residences Worldwide
Tel: +44 (0)20 7095 8701
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