Monaco, a very buoyant property market
Monaco, a very buoyant property market
scroolDot

Monaco, a very buoyant property market

The world’s second smallest state after the Vatican is forging ahead. Construction is on-going, to the satisfaction of a wealthy international clientele. Constantly re-inventing itself, the Principality certainly has a role to play on the world map of “the places to be”.


At the beginning of 2019, the Monégasque Institute of Statistics reported 1,496 buildings, ie. 3.16 million square metres. Over the past decade, 53 buildings have been demolished and replaced by 60 new constructions. The most symbolic building sites include “One Monte-Carlo” -, adding almost 4,000 sq.m to the Golden Square’s commercial premises - the “Tour des Giroflées” and “Le Stella” both replacing houses. Since 2010, seven new-builds over 15 storeys high have risen from the earth… A sign that the Principality is continuing its development, vertically. 61 % of construction is dedicated to living accommodation. Hotels are concentrated in Monte-Carlo and the Larvotto beach area. The majority of industrial premises are to be found in Fontvieille. Containing demographic pressure… Monaco also rises to the challenge by building out at sea. Six operations have already been completed. Currently underway, “Le Portier” represents almost 15 acres and a usable surface area of 60,000 sq.m. In all, reclaiming land from the Mediterranean will have allowed for construction of 840,000 sq.m, ie. 26 % of the built-up area.

The Real Estate Observatory confirms 2018 as one of Monaco’s most active years. Delivery of the 89 apartments in “Le Stella”, shared out in four blocks, gave a real boost to the market for new properties, even though surface areas were limited in light of buyers’ preferences for more generous living space. Old properties also show a rise in both the number of sales and the average price, up 14 %. “Property dealers are particularly active,” says Laurent Locchi of Miells & Partners. “While the stock of housing is benefiting from a makeover with all the renovations, prices are rising. Only studios are suffering from a real lack of interest. Especially as the policy for delivering residents’ cards is increasingly restrictive. Families look for 2-, 3- and 4-bedroomed apartments, high quality appointments and residences like the Tour Odéon.” In Monaco, the surface area, floor, view, and prestige of the address all contribute to calculation of the price. Renovation is a trigger for acquisition, an accelerator. Admittedly less numerous than in the past, Italians are fond of the Principality. Russians who were already installed have stayed put. Other nationalities are taking an interest in the micro-state, and North Europeans remain loyal to the Principality. The past few months have been specially intense in terms of construction. Noise and eye-sores have been the rule, but the first deliveries are finally arriving on the market.

bienDexception
In the port area, a short walk to the Casino, this magnificent 2-bedroom apartment facing south, renovated throughout, offers living space of 111 m2 prolonged by a terrace of 12 m2 overlooking the Mediterranean and the Formula 1 circuit. 9,3 M €. John Taylor (00 377 93 50 30 70).
In the port area, a short walk to the Casino, this magnificent 2-bedroom apartment facing south, renovated throughout, offers living space of 111 m2 prolonged by a terrace of 12 m2 overlooking the Mediterranean and the Formula 1 circuit. 9,3 M €. John Taylor (00 377 93 50 30 70).
bienDexception
At the heart of the “Golden Square” neighbourhood, this apartment of 181 m2 in Le Mirabeau offers 2 bedrooms and an unimpeded view of the coast, the Casino, and the hairpin bend in front of the Fairmont, much appreciated by fans of Formula 1. More than 15 M €. Rosengart Real Estate (OO 377 93 50 00 30).
At the heart of the “Golden Square” neighbourhood, this apartment of 181 m2 in Le Mirabeau offers 2 bedrooms and an unimpeded view of the coast, the Casino, and the hairpin bend in front of the Fairmont, much appreciated by fans of Formula 1. More than 15 M €. Rosengart Real Estate (OO 377 93 50 00 30).
bienDexception
On Avenue Princesse Grace, at the entrance to the Larvotto neighbourhood, an apartment of 230 m2 undergoing renovation, with 3 large bedrooms, a cellar and parking place, is up for sale in La Réserve, a high-end residence a stone’s throw from the beaches. 21,9 M €. Miells & Partners (00 377 97 97 79 12).
On Avenue Princesse Grace, at the entrance to the Larvotto neighbourhood, an apartment of 230 m2 undergoing renovation, with 3 large bedrooms, a cellar and parking place, is up for sale in La Réserve, a high-end residence a stone’s throw from the beaches. 21,9 M €. Miells & Partners (00 377 97 97 79 12).

“Monaco’s Government and private investors are working day and night towards the development of the Principality,” enthuses Christian Rosengart of Rosengart Luxury Real Estate. In the historic neighbourhood of Monte-Carlo, prices range from 40,000 to 100,000 € per sq.m. All areas combined, the average price exceeded 48,000 € per sq.m in 2018. Surface areas are larger, studios no longer in demand. Generous volumes, in old buildings or developments soon to be delivered, top the bill, with prices that rise at the same pace as the surface area. “Monte-Carlo is still the most dynamic neighbourhood with transactions chalking up turnover of almost a billion euros last year – 950,200,000 € to be precise, a record year for sales in this neighbourhood. Families also like Saint Roman, the second neighbourhood in terms of the number and total amount of sales, and Fontvieille, its parks, schools, delightful harbour and many pedestrian areas. The Jardin Exotique neighbourhood has many disparities between old and new residences.” Buyers now insist on a high level of appointments : cutting-edge home automation, 24/7 conciergerie, parking places in the basement. In other words, properties that meet the standards of international mega-cities. All buyers appreciate the quality of the Principality’s infrastructures, its privileged lifestyle and, of course, its tax advantages.

“The Golden Square, harbour and beach neighbourhood win all the votes,” say Luciana Lebon and Eugenia Petrini of La Costa Properties Monaco. Clients are in search of spaciousness, luxury and views of the sea. The starting-price for the top end of the market is 60,000 € per sq.m. Families and property dealers are currently the best clients. And it’s time for optimism. From creation of the “One” to restructuring of the Hôtel de Paris… Very strong signs of economic momentum.


Ecrit par
Laetitia Rossi - 26 April 2019