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The Costalita Area

Costalita, today consisting of some five hundred apartments and around fifty town houses, is beautifully located directly by the sea, just below the small village of Cancelada. Because of its location, Costalita is extremely well suited for families with children as there is no heavy traffic in the area. The area itself, fenced and with its own security guards, houses a number of swimming pools, all with Life Guards on duty during the months of June, July and August. The area includes a number of winding, internal pedestrian walkways for access between the different parts of the urbanization and for direct access to the beach, as well as Parking spots.

New fence around the Costalita-e area Note! Picture is slightly modified

To our great sorrow more and more of the Costalita urbanisations, the latest being Costalita-h, are transforming their beautiful urbanisations into something more and more looking like prison yards. New fences are being installed to make walking more difficult within the area. Earlier also Costalita-f and Costalita-e have had their parts enclosed by fences. The original idea of the Costalita architects seems more and more far away. The idea was to allow walks along a large, beautiful and green park landscape offering plenty of water, greenery and bird- as well as animal life without being disturbed by surrounding traffic. Free walking is still allowed within the Costalita-i area though. We hope that this will remain so. All that is required is to show respect for the nature and the property of others. Picking up after your dogs and not kicking into pieces the lamp posts or setting fire to the sunbeds.

Beach View

Houses on the Beach

Back from the Beach

Construction on the Costalita Landbank, existing since the 50's, began around 1996 by its owner, URBIS (owned by one of the major Spanish banks, Banesto). The first apartments, along the sea in what is today referred to as Costalita-i (Phase one) were ready for occupation around Christmas 1997. Then more apartments were built on the other side of the first pool (Phase two), then further up Costalita-h (Phase three) and so on. At eastertime 2006 Costalita-f, to the west of us and a bit further up, was ready for moving in and only a short time thereafter the real estate market "died" overnight due to the economical crisis in Spain. There is still a plot left for constructions, Costalita-g, but still nobody knows when works will start on that one. From the original Costalita Landbank, URBIS has also sold off five plots to other builders for their own projects, among them a DIY warehouse, "Bricorama", up by the road, and a four star hotel, Hotel Playa Bella, sold in 2015 to new owners and given the new name "Iberostar Costa del Sol".

Walkway with wooden Bridge

Pond with Fountain

Turtles

Scouting egret

Egrets

Hoopoe

The architect behind the area is the well known Melvin Villarroel Roldán (La Paz, Bolivia, 1931 - Houston, Texas, US, 2010) who is the designer behind several projects along the coast. A characteristic of his design is that each project is built as an "Andalusian Village" ("Pueblo Andaluz"). Important features of his ideas are that there should be plenty of "free" space, ie nothing intensive, and a lot of green, palm trees, flowers etc and preferably also water. The houses should be white (or possibly terracotta coloured) and be built so that no detail resembles any other. The houses should preferably have a maximum of three floors even though exceptions are made from this in exceptional cases where the builders are greedy and want to get more apartments in order to make more profit.

Swimming Pools

There are several swimming pools within Costalita, each one dedicated to its "own" area. Our pool, situated right below the bedroom window, offers a depth of 2,10 metres at the most and 1,40 metres as a minimum. During the summer months (June-August) a lifeguard is on duty all days of the week. At the poolside are a number of sunbeds and sunshades available which are common property for the apartments and can be freely used by everybody on a first come, first served basis.

Costalita-i's, "our" swimming pool

Our pool seen from the bedroom window

Activities in our swimming pool

Water toys

Other swimming pools within the Costalita area

Costalita-j's pool (in front of us)

Costalita-h's pool

Costalita-e's pool

Costalita-f's pool

The Beach

The beach in front of Costalita is public and stretches out a couple of kilometres in both directions, maybe longer. Its width, typically 30-40 metres just below Costalita, varies with the tide. The beach itself, composed by a number of "Playas", each with its own individual name (Playa de Cancelada, Playa de Saladillo...), is a sand beach with a line of pebbles, washed in by the sea, right at the waterfront. How far out you can go before loosing ground depends a little on the tide, but is typically five to ten metres. Between the beach and Costalita, there is a Beach Walk extending itself a couple of hundreds of metres in each direction, decorated with oldfashioned lamp posts and benches with regular intervals. The idea is that the Beach Walk, a project driven by the Estepona Community, shall be extended at the same pace as new urbanizations reach completion. Apart from the Costalita Beach Walk there are also other independent parts of the Beach Walk to be found in front of other urbanizations.

The Beach Walk	View over Gibraltar Strait	Water Toys
Beach View	Holiday Fishermen	Galloping on the Beach

History and layout of the Costalita area

Costalita today is composed of, on one hand, parts kept by URBIS from the very start, on the other of the plots sold by URBIS for construction by others. Besides there are a number of areas (all on the other side of the main road) that never were part of the original Costalita ground, but nevertheless have added Costalita to their names to profit from the good name of Costalita. As a guidance to those today considering to buy or rent property at Costalita please find below an overview of existing areas and a brief historical background of the same. The various parts are referred to using different types of references in different situations. While some references use the construction phases other refer to the denominations of the plots. The summary below is given in (as far as possible) chronological order, based upon phases where this is applicable.

Costalita-i

This was the very first plot to be used for new apartments. Its first phase, consisting of a row of 24 apartments down by the sea, was ready for moving in, in November 1997 and its second phase, with another 69 apartments (out of which two are Penthouses with a second floor on the roof), was ready in 1998. This area has a common swimming pool, access to free WiFi and two separate outdoor parkings (one for the houses south of the pool and one for those north of the same). All houses have three floors. The street (visiting) address is Calle Trajano 22. The staircases are as follows:

The Southern houses (down by the sea)
Sevilla A-B, C-D
Huelva A-B and C-D
Cádiz A-C and D-E

The Eastern houses
Jaén A-E
Córdoba A-D

The Northern house
Granada A-C, D-E and F-H

The Western house
Almería A-F

Villas de Costalita phase 1

Simultaneously with Costalita-i a number of three-floor town houses were erected right across the street to the east. These houses, also ready in 1997, share a common pool and their street (visiting) address is Calle Trajano 17.

Costalita-h

Costalita-h, situated above (to the north of) Costalita-i, with its own common swimming pool and outdoor parking at ground level was ready for moving in, in 2000. All houses have three floors. The street (visiting) address is Calle Trajano 18. The area comprises 117 apartments, out of which seven are Penthouse apartments with a second floor on the roof, distributed across the staircases

Southern house
Marbella A-B, C-D and E-F

The Eastern houses
Ojén A-B
San Roque A-B, C-D and E-F

The Northern houses
Estepona A-B, C-D and E-G
Valderrama A-B and C-D
Cancelada A-B and C-D

The Western houses
Manilva A-B and C-D
Casares A-C and E-F

.... After completion and selling out of the three first areas URBIS began to feel more secure on the market. In a relatively short period they had succeeded to sell well over one hundred apartments on ground in their possession since the 50's. Quickly a decision was taken to start up new constructions. As nobody could know for how long this was going to last, they also sold off, in a quick pace, five plots to other builders. One was sold for the construction of a hotel which was part of the original agreement with the local government in Estepona, the others were sold to other builders (please see below). Earlier sales had been achieved thanks to a favourable price level and good financial conditions, possible to offer through their mother bank, Banesto. Now, however, was the time to start building real luxury apartments.

Costalita-d and Costalita-j

These constructions were thus to be more luxury versions, not consisting of just one project, but two. On one hand a half circle shaped house conglomeration was built right by the sea to the west of Costalita-i, on the other hand five three-floor town houses were erected almost on the beach in front of Costlita-i. This was possible as URBIS had been in possession of the plot for so long (since 1957) that the old laws regulating construction close to the sea were still applicable. Construction almost down by the sea front was thus allowed. Costalita-d and Costalita-j were ready for moving in, in 2002.

Costalita-d was the first project to be equipped with elevators, underground garages and store rooms in the basement. The luxury consisted in equipping the apartments with B&O sound equipment and stainless steel kitchen equipment of highest standard. Costalita-d consists of three-floor buildings, but as all the top apartments are so-called penthouses with a further floor on top (access to which is through an inside staircase), the houses can be regarded as four-floor buildings. The Penthouses are equipped with individual pools and premises for barbecueing on the roof. Costalita-d comprises a total of 48 apartments, out of which 16 are penthouses, distributed over four houses named after the goddesses of the Antique: Venus, Diana, Afrodita and Artemisa. Since February 2015 Costalita-d has access to highspeed broadband communication through optical fibre.The street (visiting) address is Calle Trajano 1.

The townhouses in Costalita-j were equipped the same way, with highest luxury standard in the kitchens, individual open fireplaces on the roof and a common barbecuing area in the garden. All houses have their own individual garages. During the first years the townhouse owners have spent time and money on reconstructing details that were not satisfactory from the start and also to heavily expand the original terrace areas. The street (visiting) address is Calle Trajano 24.

....

At the same time as work was ongoing with Costalita-d and Costalita-j the companies that had acquired plots from URBIS started to construct...

Costalita del Mar

This Community is situated to the west of Costalita-d, ie. between Costalita-d and hotel Playa Bella, in Costalita's western outskirts. The builder was the Spanish company Abacon-Delta S A the construction was made by another Spanish company, Hecuator. The area, ready for moving in, in 2002, consists of five occra coloured houses with a total of 55 luxury apartments (out of which 45 ordinary apartments and 10 penthouses) and an underground garage with individual store rooms. The area has one common swimming pool and access to free WiFi. The houses, named after gems, are called Amatista, Diamante, Piedra de Luna, Esmeralda and Ojo de Tigre. Since December 2014 Costalita del Mar has access to highspeed broadband communication through optical fibre.

Triángulo de Costalita

This community, built on a triangular piece of land above Costalita-h (hence its name) was built by the German company Müller Immobilien Consult. The project, which comprises 24 apartments distributed over three houses, has its own swimming pool and also a separate children's pool. As the plot is relatively small it was necessary to use it to the best advantage, why the community was equipped with an underground garage. Triángulo de Costalita was ready for moving in, in 2003. The street (visiting) address is Calle Trajano 18.

Terrazas de Costalita

This community is squeezed in behind Costalita del Mar, to the east of the hotel and to the west of Costalita-e. Builder for this community was the German company Müller Immobilien Consult, also builder of the Triángulo de Costalita (see above), constructor was the Spanish company Hecuator. The area, with occra coloured houses, was ready for occupation in June 2003 and consists of 130 apartments, each with its individual underground parking spot and lifts. Spectacular is that there is a putting green also built on the area premises. The area also comprises a common swimming pool and a separate children's pool.

Costalita del Sol

This is the fifth and last of the communities built on land sold to other builders by URBIS. Fhe builder was SEYCO and the area, situated just below the main road, in front of the URBIS sales office. was reday for moving in, in 2004.

Costalita-e

This area, to the west of Costalita-i, right between Costalita-d down by the sea and Costalita-f, consists of two-, three-, and four-storey buildings comprising a total of 98 apartments (two and three bedroom apartments), most of which have their own parking spot and their own store room in the underground garage. The houses are equipped with lifts. The community was ready for moving in right before christmas 2003. The area has its own swimming pool and access to free WiFi. The apartments are identified by individual numbers as well as denominations like in previous phases based upon staircase (house, block) and a letter. The staircases are:

The Southern houses
Antequera A-B and C-E
Benalmádena A-B and C-D

The Western houses
Coín A-C
Fuengirola A-B and C-D

The Northern houses
Istán A-C and D-E
Ronda A-B and C-D
Teba A-C and D-E

Costalita-f

This phase was originally designed to comprise three- four- and five-storey houses but as URBIS realized that demand was much higher than expected plans were quickly changed (although construction works had already started) so that all houses were to be five storey buildings. Due to the actual dip in sales of new properties on the coast there are still some thirty unsold apartments in this phase. The area comprises 135 apartments with two, three or five bedrooms. First occupation was available at Easter 2006. The staircases are:

The Northern houses
Villamartín, apt 121-135
Villamartín, apt 111-120
Ubrique, apt 101-110
Ubrique, apt 91-100

The Western houses
San Fernanado, apt 76-90 (Northwest Corner)
San Fernando, apt 66-75 (Northwest Corner)
Olvera, apt 56-65
Olvera, apt 46-55

The Southern houses
Jerez, apt 31-45 (Southwest Corner)
Bornos, apt 21-30
Bornos, apt 11-20
Algodonales, apt 1-10

Villas de Costalita phase 2

At the same time as Costalita-f was built URBIS took the opportunity to expand the number of townhouses in their oldest area, Villas de Costalita, with another 35 houses. These were ready for moving in, in the beginning of 2006. Simultaneously the original Villas de Costalita area, got a face lift. Today, a Guard House (manned 24 hours), fences and remotely controlled entrance gates have been installed and the gardens and internal infrastructure (access roads) have been improved. Furthermore, Estepona local government put in place a plexi "sound wall" towards the main road.

Costa Marinsa

Summer 2017 construction started of a complex planned for 14 apartments on the tiny plot squeezed in between Bricorama and the Villas de Costalita, facing Triángulo de Costalita. Builder is the Málaga based company Axarcom SL. The complex will house two- and three-bedroom apartments with an underground parking and individual store rooms. The area will include a common swimming pool. First date for moving in is planned to be the turn of the year 2017/18.

Costalita-g

This project, planned for the plot to the north of Costalita-h, to the west of Triángulo de Costalita, was originally by URBIS, projected to comprise around 50 (38?) apartments distributed over three houses. As URBIS sold the plot to another company it now is uncertain what, when or whether construction will start. Possibly the original (URBIS) plans will be followed anyhow as licenses are already granted for those and a lot of bureaucracy could be avoided. Construction has been postponed several times due to the actual dip in sales of new properties.

Other side of the road

Here one can find projects trying to take advantage of the Costalita name such as eg Mirador de Costalita, Costalita Gold, and...

Summary of installations at the Costalita area

Construction Phase/ Area	Ready year	Number of apartments	Lift	Garage	Childrens pool	WiFi
Villas de Costalita phase 1	1997	33	No	No	No	-
Costalita-i phase 1	1997	24	No	No	No	Olivenet
Costalita-i phase 1	1998	69	No	No	No	Olivenet
Costalita-h	2000	117	No	No	No	Costalita
Costalita-j	2002	5	No	Yes	No	-
Costalita-d	2002	48	Yes	Yes	No	-
Costalita del Mar	2002	55	Yes	Yes	No	-
Triángulo de Costalita	2003	24	Yes	Yes	Yes	-
Terrazas de Costalita	2003	130	Yes	Yes	Yes	-
Costalita-e	2003	98	Yes	Yes	No	COSTALITA-PREMIUM
Costalita del Sol	2004	xx	Yes	Yes	No	-
Villas de Costalita phase 2	2005	34	No	Yes	No	-
Costalita-f	2006	135	Yes	Yes	No	-
Costa Marinsa	2017/18	14	Yes	Yes	No	-