Sotogrande, one of Spain’s oldest and most exclusive leisure and real estate destinations, is undergoing a major revamp.
At 467 hectares (1,154 acres) La Reserva sits at the heart of Sotogrande, with Cabell B Robinson’s 18-hole golf course at its centre.
Being created is an incredible country club that will have one of Europe’s largest (2.5 hectare) lagoons for swimming and watersports complete with sandy beach, a beach club, children’s club and a variety of water-based activities.
With a vantage point overlooking the lagoon will be a new state of the art spa and wellness centre. Nearby, new experiences will include horse tracks, running trails and a new tennis club.
In addition, extensive renovations at the existing La Reserva golf course will upgrade greens and fairways and provide a further nine-hole course. Dedicated zones tailored to children of all ages will include special driving ranges and putting greens.
With initial masterplan by world-renowned resort planning specialists WATG, the new amenities at La Reserva are anticipated for completion by summer 2018.
Chief executive of Sotogrande SA Marc Topiol said: “We are working and focusing efforts on putting Sotogrande back on the international map as one of the Europe’s most luxurious and exclusive locations. La Reserva de Sotogrande is a place for families and friends situated in privileged surroundings. What we aim to achieve is to write another significant chapter in the history of Sotogrande, with the same spirit and high quality standards as its original founder, the philanthropist and industrialist, Joseph McMicking.
“We hope that as time goes by and by maintaining the essence of its founders, visitors and residents in the year 2060 will talk about this project in the same way we now talk about McMicking’s vision.
“We are transforming resort living and building the Sotogrande of the next 50 years; La Reserva is conceived for upcoming generations.”
The architectural design includes a modern and sophisticated approach to architecture following the natural lay of the land, and is developed using natural materials allowing it to be absorbed by the beauty of its surroundings.
All the elements will be designed to blend with the existing topography, minimizing the visual impact, and will correspond with new parkland created by the celebrated French architecte paysagiste, Jean Mus & Compagnie, whose client list includes the Hotel de Paris in Monaco, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Hotel and landscaping at the recently reopened Ritz Paris.
His vision is to create a uniquely Provencal – Andalucian setting, inspired by the landscapes of this part of the Mediterranean and his native Provence, using only indigenous vegetation influenced over centuries by imports from the Orient and ancient Greece.