The Spanish Estate Agent has launched a new development of homes in the mountains of Andalucía.

Quercus, the latest urbanisation to be announced at Real de La Quinta, a 200-hectare estate next to a UNESCO biosphere reserve, is the only project in the area to get BREEAM accreditation (the global standard for assessing building projects in terms of their ecological and social responsibility) across the whole resort.

The new development aims to offer the ‘security and familiarity of a peaceful, self-contained community in a rural setting close to the beautiful village of Benahavís, with its array of restaurants and spectacular scenery’. Marbella and Puerto Banús are also a short drive away.

As part of the masterplan of the resort, there are proposals for a huge inland lake of 32,000 sq. metres, a 6-hole flash golf course, an equestrian centre, a hotel, wellness centre, shops and restaurants, all of which are in development. The completion date of Quercus is expected to be 2021.

“The new Quercus development offers buyers the chance to purchase a high-quality home in a very desirable location, with outstanding leisure facilities, built by a highly-regarded and professional developer,” Shirin Shirifi, head of luxury property collection at The Spanish Estate Agent, said.

“The previous urbanisation in this development, Olivos, with its 90 apartments, sold very quickly and clients have been very pleased with their purchase.”

Some 36 two and three-bedroom apartments have just been launched, with each home enjoying ‘spectacular, uninterrupted panoramic views down the Spanish coastline and beyond to North Africa and Gibraltar’. 

The apartments aim to offer generous living spaces and large terraces to create a sense of space and freedom, as well as encouraging outdoor living.  

Each building contains between four and six apartments, meaning each apartment enjoys the benefit of having only one adjoining neighbour.

“It’s nice to get away from the ubiquitous white boxes, and I applaud the developer using natural stone and wood. It gives the homes a warm feel, while still being contemporary, and I love the cutting-edge design and quality features,” Shirin added.

As mentioned above, the development also has the USP of being the first and only resort in the region to receive BREEAM accreditation across the entire project. Applied in over 70 countries, BREEAM is the global standard for assessing building projects in terms of their ecological and social responsibility, assessing several factors from water and energy use to urban mobility, recycling to local suppliers, and landscaping to protecting the local flora and fauna.

The scheme is being developed by La Quinta Grupo Inmobiliario, who have been creating exclusive residences for more than three decades. Prices start at €493,500 for a two-bedroom apartment and €633,500 for a three-bedroom apartment