October 29, 2020

Barhale wins i54 project brief from Amey

Civil engineer and infrastructure specialist Barhale has been awarded the contract to deliver infrastructure enabling works for the western extension of South Staffordshire’s high-profile i54 business park. Awarded by principal contractor Amey, the programme of works will include the construction of a foul water drainage pumping station and associated M&E

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IRPM responds to the Government on cladding

The Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) has responded in detail to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s recent call for evidence on cladding. The call for evidence will inform the Cladding: Progress of Remediation inquiry which is reviewing progress in removing potentially dangerous cladding from high-rise and high-risk

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Register now to attend the virtual BALI National Landscape Awards 2020

The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) has opened registrations for the 44th BALI National Landscape Awards 2020, to be held virtually for the first time on Friday 4th December 2020. Join from 12.30pm for a sponsor’s introduction with the ceremony commencing from 1pm. BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills commented, “While our

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HOW WILL INFECTION CONTROL CHANGE THE FACE OF VENTILATION?

COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on how we live – but how could the pandemic potentially change the way we approach ventilation within our healthcare facilities as we learn from the coronavirus and tackle potential airborne infection control?  Mechanical engineer at Pick Everard, Simon Atkin, discusses how the pandemic

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Keepmoat Homes Secures First Build Scheme

Keepmoat Homes Secures First Build Scheme

North Somerset Council has selected national house builder, Keepmoat Homes, to build more than 400 new residences at Parklands Village, Weston-super-Mare, making this the developer’s first venture in the area. The scheme, in partnership with Homes England, will deliver 425 much-needed, quality homes in the area, including 30 percent affordable

Read More »
Luxury Show Home Provides Comfortable Investment

Luxury Show Home Provides Comfortable Investment

Having taken voluntary redundancy after a 37-year career in banking, Mike Richards from Tavistock in Devon was on the lookout for a sound investment opportunity and, scrolling through Facebook one day, he discovered Cavanna Homes’ show home leaseback scheme. Mike and his wife Alison had originally considered buying a holiday

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Where to buy property in Barcelona?

Being the capital of the Catalonia region in Spain, Barcelona attracts over 9 million over-night tourists last year. Whilst this year and next year will be temporarily lower than this amount due to Spain’s struggle with Coronavirus, Barcelona will always remain a tourist hotspot in Europe.  For this reason, buying a

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Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

October 29, 2020

Barhale wins i54 project brief from Amey

Civil engineer and infrastructure specialist Barhale has been awarded the contract to deliver infrastructure enabling works for the western extension of South Staffordshire’s high-profile i54 business park. Awarded by principal contractor Amey, the programme of works will include the construction of a foul water drainage pumping station and associated M&E apparatus located in a purpose-built 10 metre deep, 5 metre diameter sunk into rock. Its construction as an underpinned shaft will provide the safest and most cost-effective solution. In order to minimise impact to the local environment, the installation of associated sewer and pumping main pipework will be carried out using a mixture of open cut and directional drilling techniques. The western extension of the 98-hectare i54 business park will release an additional 100,000 square metres of development land adjacent to the M54 motorway on the border between the City of Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire. The existing i54 park is already recognised as a centre for manufacturing. Occupiers of the existing development include MOOG Aerospace, Eurofins Scientific and Jaguar Land Rover. James Ingamells, Regional Manager, is looking forward to Barhale playing its part in the next stage of i54. “The i54 Business Park is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and prestigious projects in the region and one which is already attracting an international reputation,” he said. “As a locally head-quartered business we are proud to be involved and very aware of the impact that the development has had to date in terms of regeneration, attracting investment and creating jobs. We are thoroughly pleased to have been selected by Amey to deliver our element of the works.” Contract completion is expected in early 2021.

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IRPM responds to the Government on cladding

The Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) has responded in detail to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s recent call for evidence on cladding. The call for evidence will inform the Cladding: Progress of Remediation inquiry which is reviewing progress in removing potentially dangerous cladding from high-rise and high-risk buildings, and the adequacy of funding by the Government. The Committee is seeking evidence on the following issues: Is the Government’s new £1 billion remediation fund sufficient to address all remaining concerns in high-rise and high-risk buildings? What lessons should be learned from the administration of previous funding mechanisms? Will the new External Wall Fire Review process for the valuation of high-rise properties be effective in improving access to buildings insurance and mortgage finance for leaseholders? What additional challenges have been presented by the coronavirus pandemic and how might these be overcome? The IRPM response addresses these questions in order. Is the Government’s new £1 billion remediation fund sufficient to address all remaining concerns in high-rise and high-risk buildings? No. The contribution is substantial and warmly welcomed, but it is a small sum compared to the likely cost of remediating buildings to a safe condition. The National Housing Federation estimates that their membership is facing a £10bn bill to remediate buildings in the social and affordable sector. The G15 group of housing associations estimates £6.8 bn for their members alone. ARMA estimate £3.6bn for their private sector members. Until at-risk buildings have been assessed, the final remediation cost will remain unknown but since the size of the private sector is approximate to the social sector, the best estimates suggest a bill anywhere between £12-20bn. However, the scope of the fund is limited to certain types of non-ACM cladding only for buildings above a notional height. It does not include other elements of the external wall system, nor other failings of fire safety such as compartmentation and fire stopping both internally and externally. It is akin to funding one or two new tyres on a car but disregarding the loose wheel nuts, defective brakes and leaking fuel tank. Replacing cladding will not in itself make buildings safe. Within the defined scope of the terms of the fund, it is thought likely that the £1bn fund will require increasing. Further analysis and more surveys will be required to assess by how much. However, if the question is widened to providing safe external wall systems and fire compartmentation in multi-dwelling residential buildings, then it is clear that the £1bn fund is a small fraction of the likely cost. Beyond the scope of the original ACM fund and the later £1bn non-ACM fund are other costs and other buildings. Other costs are: other related remediation costs, e.g. insulation and related fire safety failures. The focus on cladding alone as opposed to the external wall system does not tackle the more complex reality of wall systems. waking watches (typically £3,000 per building per week, £6,000 for a larger building). Around 420 waking watches across the country are wiping out estate reserve funds and being charged back to residents with harmful consequences. Some residents are simply unable to meet these substantial and unexpected costs. ameliorative measures such as temporary alarms. increased insurance premiums and excesses. the human cost. The metrics of this situation seem confined to easily measured financials. It is difficult to quantify the human cost to people whose lives are on hold and blighted personally and financially but anxious residents are suffering a raft of harms including stress, mental health issues, bankruptcy and domestic violence. In addition to the misery caused to innocent residents, some of these costs will crystallise into monetary costs against the state; welfare, policing, health, restrictions on labour mobility, bankruptcy procedures and so on. the time, cost and stress on managing agents, who find themselves involved in the substantial reconstruction of sometimes very large and complex buildings, far beyond their remit and expertise of managing a functional building. They are now dealing with justifiably unhappy residents, an obstructive and protracted system that can prevent them from acting, a [worsening] lack of experts and contractors to survey and fix buildings, and an expectation of providing solutions over which they may not have the authority, the funding or the ability to act. As with innocent leaseholders, managing agents are similarly not to blame for the failure of our construction industry; they are left trying to clear up someone else’s mess. Other buildings: buildings below 18m in height, where government’s own advice (Consolidated Advice Note) recommends buildings of all heights with ACM and HPL cladding should be within the building safety regime. Note, bringing these buildings into scope changes the number of buildings under scrutiny from around 12,000 to over 100,000, a massive leap in scale. Fire, as demonstrated in Barking, Bolton and beyond, does not respect notional boundaries. buildings with external wall systems that are considered a risk but are not covered by the scheme, such as rendered polystyrene. buildings constructed of nominally safe materials but are unsafe due to poor construction, building control and certifications; for example missing fire breaks and inadequate compartmentation. While considering whether £1bn will meet the costs within the limited scope of the fund, it is the costs outside the scope of the fund, which constitutes the majority of buildings and works, that will likely prove the greater concern if we are to make our buildings safe. Going forward, this situation will further crystallise. Dame Judith Hackitt’s Building Safety Programme will require buildings to be certified. Meanwhile, mortgage lenders are now alive to lending only on demonstrably safe buildings. These two drivers will ensure that intrusive inspections will take place on buildings above and below 18m irrespective of the external wall system, whereupon the systemic failures of our construction industry, building regulations and supervisory/certification system will be further laid bare in the coming years, with further remediation costs to follow. Prioritisation of risk, speeding up the process and unlocking the housing market Given the shortages of

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GLASS FUTURES WELCOMES UK GOVERNMENT £15 MILLION GRANT FOR GROUND-BREAKING PROJECT

Following the announcement of a £15m capital grant from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge to bring globally leading capacity to the Glass Futures’ Centre of Excellence in St Helens, Glass Futures’ Chief Executive Richard Katz, said: “This £15m funding is an essential catalyst to kickstart the delivery of Glass Futures’ £54m Global Centre of Excellence in St Helens, an area rich in glass history. The state-of-the-art R&D facility will enable Glass Futures and its members to work collaboratively to research and develop innovative solutions enhancing resource efficiency, moving the industry closer to sustainable low-carbon glass production and increasing productivity.” “With this grant, UKRI recognises the importance glass has to play in a future to be built on sustainable, fully recyclable, low-carbon products manufactured with highly efficient processes.”  The £15m UKRI grant will be used to install a collaboratively designed, globally unique, experimental furnace and state of the art infrastructure capable of producing 30 tonnes of glass per day. This line will enable Glass Futures’ members and researchers to work together with academia to test alternative fuels, new raw materials, Industry 4.0 concepts, demonstrate new products and develop new processes, enabling the Glass Industry to implement change in a safe experimental space. Developments at the facility will also have profound implications for other Industries such as Chemicals, Ceramics, Paper, Steel and Cement. Together with Glass, these industries known as Foundation Industries provide the foundations for civilisation. They share common challenges and require similar developments and, although Glass Futures’ primary focus is the glass sector, it is hoped many of the industry efficiency projects can be directly implemented in other Foundation Industries. Richard added: “The world as a whole needs to move to low carbon and highly efficient processes, but this change does not come without investment, both in time and money. Our Government is supporting the Foundation Industries to enable innovation and help create shared prosperity. No single organisation can enable a global shift in industrial practice, but Glass Futures has begun to show a new path to collaboratively pooling knowledge, resources, and effort. We  sincerely thank all our members and supporters who are helping realise an ambitious and game changing facility.” Glass Futures is a not-for-profit membership organisation with a Board comprising leading individuals from the global glass industry, its supply chain and academia.  The facility will also enable highly diverse apprenticeships and a unique centre to up-skill workers across the total glass supply chain, tapping into existing and potential talent within the St Helens’ community, across the Northern Powerhouse and internationally. The facility will attract inward investment to the north-west of England as leading players across the glass supply chain and academia begin to use the facility for R&D, training, conferences and even as a new base for parts of their business. Global glass manufacturers, large and small, and their supply chains are invited to join with Glass Futures to be at the forefront of these essential new technologies, promoting collaboration and change. Equally, the sister Foundation Industries are welcome to join and share knowledge. Further Background on Glass Futures: The 158,000 sq. ft facility is being built on a 14-acre site adjacent to St Helens’ Rugby League ‘Totally Wicked’ stadium. The facility will be centred around a 30 tonne per day low carbon demonstration furnace creating the world’s first openly accessible, commercially available, multi-disciplinary glass melting facility with provision for research and development trials to establish new manufacturing techniques, raw materials, improved efficiencies whilst decarbonising the glass industry. The site in St Helens is expected to create around 50 highly skilled jobs directly, along with hundreds of indirect employment opportunities. Earlier in 2020, Glass Futures was awarded a £7.1m contract by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to investigate alternative low carbon energy sources to replace high carbon natural gas in the production of glass. Glass Futures is already lauded as a game changer leading to substantial improvements in manufacturing methodology, enhanced automation and increased efficiencies whilst targeting the removal of CO2 from the manufacturing process, significantly enhancing sustainable growth in the Liverpool City Region.

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Register now to attend the virtual BALI National Landscape Awards 2020

The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) has opened registrations for the 44th BALI National Landscape Awards 2020, to be held virtually for the first time on Friday 4th December 2020. Join from 12.30pm for a sponsor’s introduction with the ceremony commencing from 1pm. BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills commented, “While our Awards event may have lost its physicality, I can assure you it won’t lose its quality, integrity, professionalism and grandeur.” This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the outstanding work carried out by BALI members and we invite you to join us in celebration by registering to attend the virtual ceremony where this year’s Principals, Specials and Grand Award will be announced. Unsure how you will celebrate on the day? Here are some ideas sent in by BALI members to help you get the most from our online event… Host a socially distanced watch party using Microsoft Teams or similar (John O’Connor Grounds Maintenance) Our management team, along with our office-based staff, will be celebrating this year’s virtual ceremony together, here at our head office (Landscape Associates) Restrictions permitting…we’re considering meeting up in a hotel bar with a laptop and table service! (PWP Landscape Design) For further information on this year’s virtual ceremony contact Events Project Manager Emily Feeney or visit baliawards.co.uk.

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HOW WILL INFECTION CONTROL CHANGE THE FACE OF VENTILATION?

COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on how we live – but how could the pandemic potentially change the way we approach ventilation within our healthcare facilities as we learn from the coronavirus and tackle potential airborne infection control?  Mechanical engineer at Pick Everard, Simon Atkin, discusses how the pandemic could shape ventilation systems moving forwards. He said: “Sustainability and energy efficiency has long been high on the agenda for the construction industry as we all look to move towards Net Zero Carbon and to deliver the most environmentally sound infrastructure – but COVID-19 has introduced a new focus for many; ventilation. More importantly, how we can ensure that the systems we use within our buildings keep end users safe and prevent the spread of airborne diseases such as coronavirus? “Historically, ventilation has been related to the thermal comfort of end users, particularly in commercial settings. However, the way in which we handle air circulation within our buildings has become a key point of discussion in relation to infection control, whether that be within new builds or what options there are to retrofit older buildings to help improve the role of ventilation in bacterial control within our buildings – especially those with healthcare purposes.” Adapting to changing scientific advice Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, building services engineers have had to pay close attention to the scientific advice on the disease to ensure that clients can be advised on their systems appropriately – whether this be a commercial office space or a medical facility.  Simon added: “Several months into the pandemic in the UK, the World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledged that there was emerging evidence that the virus could be spread by tiny particles suspended in the air, and that such airborne transmission could not be ruled out in crowded, closed or poorly ventilated settings.  “With many patients needing critical treatment for other conditions throughout the pandemic it is of critical importance that we adapt quickly and efficiently within healthcare facilities to ensure that patients are still able to receive potentially life-saving treatment without being put at risk of contracting coronavirus. “High-performance ventilation systems are already commonplace within the healthcare sector, with systems including negative pressure air handling and fresh air exchangers utilised effectively in hospitals – but are we likely to see these types of systems integrated into other sectors as we move out of the pandemic? It could be that hospital grade ventilation systems become the norm across all varieties of buildings as consumers become more focussed on how we ventilate spaces to prevent the spread of disease. “There is an inevitable cost implication to utilising higher performance ventilation systems as well as a potential compromise on other sustainability credentials within the build, both of which may make clients think twice about how far they are willing to go – especially given the evolving ways in which we are all using spaces as a result of social distancing.  “We may also see changes to the maintenance and cleaning of ventilation systems. In the past, this is something that has been carried out infrequently – if at all – but as increasing focus is placed on germ control, it may be that we see pressure being applied on building owners and occupiers to illustrate these measures are being taken, possibly even via legislation and certification.” The future of ventilation At Pick Everard, we have been keeping abreast of the latest scientific data and advice from the WHO, to make sure we provide our clients with the best possible service in what has been undoubtedly one of the toughest years for the healthcare sector. As well as the obvious pressures the coronavirus placed on services directly, there have been huge ripples of indirect pressures as well.  “One hospital with whom we at Pick Everard have a working relationship has sought consultancy services on its ventilation systems due to one such indirect pressure – a forced reduction in the number of patients served,” said Simon. “Following the WHO acknowledgement of potential airborne transmission in enclosed spaces, the hospital had to introduce a process of leaving a minimum of one hour between patients in its consultancy rooms to avoid cross-contamination issues. This of course has a significant impact on the number of patients that can be treated each day, increasing the waiting lists for treatments and has a very real human impact on those patients waiting for treatment.  “We have never seen such a focus on air circulation and ventilation, but whether or not there will be a long-term change in approach when it comes to designing systems in our buildings is not yet clear. There will undoubtedly be cost implications associated with higher grade ventilation systems, as well as considerations around performance and energy efficiencies, which will potentially require clients to find additional funding to see projects come to fruition.  “As we move through the pandemic and with a vaccine potentially on the horizon, any longer-term shift towards high-performance heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems may not be obvious as changes take their time to filter through. Without legislation it is likely that progress will be slow across the board, but there are certainly many learnings to take forward from 2020, and opportunity for forward-thinking organisations to deliver better, more hygienic, and sustainable buildings.” Pick Everard employs more than 500 staff across its 13 offices, providing a range of project, cost and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk.

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Keepmoat Homes Secures First Build Scheme

Keepmoat Homes Secures First Build Scheme

North Somerset Council has selected national house builder, Keepmoat Homes, to build more than 400 new residences at Parklands Village, Weston-super-Mare, making this the developer’s first venture in the area. The scheme, in partnership with Homes England, will deliver 425 much-needed, quality homes in the area, including 30 percent affordable homes, 20  percent accessible homes and 15 percent zero carbon homes, with the remainder achieving up to 80 percent reduction on carbon output. The homes will be built using modern methods of construction, using off-site, precision-manufactured components which will improve the efficiency and quality of the build process. As part of its commitment to the local community during the development process, Keepmoat Homes has pledged to help generate opportunities in training and employment and will create at least 20 apprenticeships, as well as funding for local volunteering and biodiversity projects. Dan Haines, Regional Director at Keepmoat Homes said: “We’re delighted to be working with North Somerset Council to deliver new, sustainable housing on the Parklands development. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to strengthen our presence in the South West and create what will become a thriving new community.” Cllr Ash Cartman, Executive Member for Finance and Procurement at North Somerset Council, said: “I am thrilled to announce Keepmoat as developer for our land. The selection process set out rigorous standards that the developer would have to meet, and Keepmoat met and exceeded those requirements. “We hope this development will set a new standard for housing in North Somerset, showing that it is possible to deliver large numbers of homes at the same time as securing quality and improved sustainability and delivering affordable housing. I am especially pleased to see that 15 per cent will be zero carbon homes.” Keepmoat Homes was chosen as the developer for the site after a year-long, multi-bid procurement process. Work is due to start on site in October 2021 with a forecasted build rate of at least 85 homes a year.

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Luxury Show Home Provides Comfortable Investment

Luxury Show Home Provides Comfortable Investment

Having taken voluntary redundancy after a 37-year career in banking, Mike Richards from Tavistock in Devon was on the lookout for a sound investment opportunity and, scrolling through Facebook one day, he discovered Cavanna Homes’ show home leaseback scheme. Mike and his wife Alison had originally considered buying a holiday let on the South Devon coast, but soon changed their minds after discovering the leaseback scheme at Broadleigh Park in Tavistock, close to where the couple live. Mike explained: “We’ve lived in Tavistock for 10 years now, so when this investment opportunity popped up on our doorstep, it was a total fluke! At the end of 2018 I took voluntary redundancy so we were keen to use the redundancy money to make a secure investment for our future that also provided a healthy income stream. “I contacted Cavanna using online chat that evening to get more information and they called back the next day answering our questions. We booked an appointment to look around the show home that week and were completely sold on the scheme, so we reserved a couple of days later and haven’t looked back since. “We were always keen to invest in property, but we’d never come across a scheme like this one before. We did lots of research before signing and even contacted other homebuilders to learn about their similar schemes, but none were as quick coming back or as helpful explaining the information”, said Mike. “We loved all the added features which came with the show home; a south-facing, landscaped garden, top-end fixtures and fittings, good sized rooms, the opportunity to buy the beautiful décor at the end of the lease, and no bills! The only cost we have to manage is the buildings insurance, the rest is covered by Cavanna Homes, plus we don’t have any agent fees which we would have had if we’d invested in a holiday let”, added Alison. The leaseback scheme typically runs for 24 months while the show home is used to promote the development. It is handed to the buyer once the majority of the new homes on the development have been sold or reserved. Mike added: “We would whole-heartedly recommend using Cavanna’s show home leaseback scheme. It provides a fantastic income and we’ve been well looked after. Any information we wanted or any questions we had were answered promptly and this is certainly an investment we would look at doing again in the future. “Our dream is still to have a property on the coast in the future, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on Cavanna’s future coastal developments!” Karen Overton, Sales Advisor at Broadleigh Park said: “Our show home leaseback scheme is very popular with buyers who are not in a rush to move and looking for a sound investment opportunity. “We’re really pleased that Mike and Alison are already seeing the benefits of our brilliant scheme and we’ll be taking very good care of their property whilst we’re here! “We only have two new three-bedroom homes remaining for sale in phase one of Broadleigh Park, so if anyone is interested in moving to this scenic town on the edge of Dartmoor, get in touch to book an appointment to visit us”.

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Where to buy property in Barcelona?

Being the capital of the Catalonia region in Spain, Barcelona attracts over 9 million over-night tourists last year. Whilst this year and next year will be temporarily lower than this amount due to Spain’s struggle with Coronavirus, Barcelona will always remain a tourist hotspot in Europe.  For this reason, buying a property close to the city centre is going to be a safe bet. Apartments for sale in Barcelona city are not going to be inflated much, because this isn’t a good economic time. But in such economic despair arises investment opportunities for those that can afford it… Barcelona is a magnet for international talent. Some of the world’s leading multinational companies have chosen the city as a base thanks to the city’s low cost of living, cheap rents, excellent infrastructure and lifestyle. That’s why it is a suitable place to work in a top company and promote in your job. Properties in Barcelona are common purchases for expats who wish to move to Catalonia. And why not? Barcelona is an incredible place to live, with beautiful people and incredible amenities, entertainment, beaches and a world-renowned football team. Whether you’re buying an apartment in Barcelona for yourself or to rent out (or both), there are different neighbourhoods that suit different circumstances. Here is a guide on the flats for sale in Barcelona, and where may suit you. Zones to buy properties in Barcelona Eixample Derecho This area is very different from Gracia, even though it lays right next door. It’s a difficult place to pronounce for a foreigner (try lay-sham-pluh), but it’s easy to navigate with the large grid-like parallel streets. This is a high-demand area due to it’s close proximity to almost everything: shops, schools, restaurants, it’s all happening in Eixample Derecho. This is the ultimate place for tourists, especially if they’re here to site-see. An apartment here is within walking distance to Passeig de Gracia, Sagrada Familia and Plaça Catalunya. Sarrià – Sant Gervasi This district is located in Barcelona’s upper zone and is one of the most prestigious in the city. Here we find important universities, business schools such as IESE and ESADE and prestigious private hospitals. It is a very welcoming and well-kept area, with numerous public parks and the proximity to the Collserola mountains, the natural lung of Barcelona. The flats are usually very spacious, with an area of over 150 m2, while we also find stunning villas with all the comforts of the big city nearby. This is the kind of place you want to live in if you enjoy being in a quiet place that’s positioned on the fringes of a bustling city centre. It is a bit further, but the metro is very impressive in Barcelona and so getting around shouldn’t be an issue. Gracia Gracia is a trendy borough in Barcelona – one that has a buzzing youthful atmosphere. Whilst it used to be a separate town, it’s not included in a map of Barcelona, plus it isn’t too far from the centre anyway. Gracia is perfect for those that want a village-feel with narrow streets, yet want a good nightlife. These two aren’t always easy to marry together but Gracia does it brilliantly. Prices are a tad above the average for Barcelona, but you will be investing in a neighbourhood that is only growing in popularity. This isn’t the place to buy a property however if you’re looking to live here yourself, especially if you want old-town Barcelona. It isn’t cosy, narrow streets and old cafes so much as it is functional, big, and modern. If you’re a city-worker that wants to be close to shops and doesn’t mind the tourists, then this could be a great choice. Ciutat Vella This district is the historic centre of the city that looks back over all the centuries of history of the Catalan capital. It is one of the most attractive in Europe and will conquer you through the winding streets, the spaces that open as if they were secret places, the squares, the culture and the cosmopolitan spirit. In this area we find beautifully renovated flats and fantastic opportunities to buy a property to suit our preferences in an extraordinary setting surrounded by tradition. If you want to live in the heart of the city and prefer to use alternative means of transport such as bicycles instead of cars, this is definitely the place for you. In Ciutat Vella you can find everything from history in all its splendour in the Gothic quarter to one of the most attractive areas of Barcelona, El Born, which has established itself as the perfect place to enjoy a luxurious but minimalist lifestyle. In this respect, its excellent lofts that reflect the industrial heritage of the city are particularly noteworthy. Final Words Property in Barcelona isn’t as badly priced as you may think. Interest rates are at historical lows and it is the perfect time to obtain financing without waiting for prices to change, as the conditions for accessing mortgage credit could be less beneficial in the future. There are a lot of opportunities to find your new home and enjoy the Mediterranian way of life.

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