According to architectNatale Miniaci, based in Olbia, “The second-home market
in Gallura is increasingly moving in the direction of unique and one-off properties, like the traditional rural stazzu or country house, benefitting not only from
sea views, which enhance the commercial value of the property, but also from
views of the Mediterranean scrub.” Although villas on the Costa Smeralda are
always popular, properties under 10 million are difficult to find. Because of this,
in Gallura people are increasingly looking for homes in more secluded locations
with ample outside space, a garden and as much surrounding countryside as
possible. One thing that cannot be disputed is that here the demand for second
homes has never abated. In fact, according to Claudia Degortes, owner of WhiteHouse immobiliare, quite the opposite is
true: “Demand soared by 30-40 percent between May and June 2020, after the
first lockdown. The current trend is to buy a house 5-10 minutes from the coast
that offers privacy and a lot of outside space to entertain, all advantages that
seafront properties tend to lack.” One such property that Ms Degortes showed
us was Villa Francesca, near Porto Rotondo, bought by a couple from Milan in
2020, renovated in 2021 and now on the market for just over 2.3 million. A perfect example of a country retreat. That is why the traditional Gallurian stazzu or
farmhouse– the cornerstone of rural life for thousands of shepherds and farmers
for hundreds of years– is becoming increasingly popular, even with a younger
forty-something clientele. “Even foreign buyers from Northern Europe,” explains
Maurizio D’Auria, Frimm Island Group Area Manager (www.gruppoisland.it),
“are looking for a 100-120-square metre property together with an 80-square
metre tool shed, making 200 square metres in total. They could spend between
350,000 and 500,000 to buy it and the same again to customise it and make it
their own”. And they also change the style. As architect Miniaci confirms, “We
are actually starting to see contemporary houses that are moving away from
the classic Costa Smeralda style characterised by granite arches and curves.
Second homes with bright living areas, depth of view and enormous rooms are
on the increase”.
Consuelo Davoli, owner of Davoli estate agents in Porto Rotondo is delighted: “Italian families and young people are back, thanks
in part to the Consortium of Porto Rotondo’s announcement on 8 June of a new
sports centre boasting 2 new tennis courts, 1 beach volleyball court and 2 padel
courts”. And that's not all. “We have sold portside apartments with stunning
views because the owners’ expectations are finally in line with market values
(between 5 and 7 million for properties in need of renovation and 6-8 million
for renovated apartments). Swiss and German nationals who love this northeastern corner of Sardinia are also now starting to buy”. Unsold properties are
very few and far between. This is confirmed by Luca Bonifaci from Rebhomes. “Demand is high even far from the coast, including for
60-80-square metre, 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom 1980s apartments in need of renovation in Porto Rotondo or the Gulf of Marinella.”
According to Luciano Magi, owner of Idee residenziali, near Porto Rotondo on the Aranci Gulf, “The price of mid-range and luxury
properties has been increasing for the last 18 months. Demand for homes worth
1 to 1.5 million with swimming pool and sea views is growing steadily, both for
projects and fully renovated properties, with new buyers coming from Poland, as
well as Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands”. A few cranes can be glimpsed
on the Aranci Gulf horizon. One belongs to the company Villa Piro srl, which is
building 8 residential units in a restored historic villa, including 3 penthouses and
3 commercial units, each of which can be subdivided, spread over three floors
and boasting large terraces, swimming pools on the roof and an underground
car park. The development concerns the complex that overlooks via Libertà, via
dei Marinai and via Trattati di Roma.