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Cyprus Leads EU Housing Market Growth With 31% Increase In 2023

In an impressive display of market strength, Cyprus topped the European Union housing market growth charts in 2023, recording a staggering 31% increase in property prices. This growth, driven largely by foreign investment and robust demand, highlights the resilience and attractiveness of the Cypriot real estate market.

Key Drivers of Growth

Several factors have contributed to this remarkable increase. According to the Central Bank of Cyprus, the surge in property prices was significantly influenced by heightened demand, particularly from foreign buyers. These buyers accounted for nearly half of the property purchases in 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. Notably, there has been a considerable influx of professionals and investors relocating to Cyprus, driven by the country’s strategic policies aimed at attracting international headquarters.

Regional Performance

The rise in property prices was not uniform across Cyprus. Districts like Limassol and Larnaca saw the most substantial increases. Limassol, for example, experienced a 10.6% annual increase in house prices, while Larnaca saw a 7.7% rise. The demand in these regions has been bolstered by the government’s headquartering policy, which has successfully attracted foreign companies and professionals.

Market Stability and Future Outlook

Despite global economic uncertainties, including the war in Ukraine and fluctuating energy prices, the Cyprus housing market has demonstrated remarkable stability. The construction cost index has begun to stabilize, which has further supported the property market. Additionally, despite rising interest rates driven by the European Central Bank’s monetary policies, the overall demand for properties has remained resilient.

The market’s robustness is also reflected in the Central Bank of Cyprus’s projections, which anticipate continued positive economic momentum. With a GDP growth rate forecasted at 2.4% for 2023, and further increases in the coming years, Cyprus is well-positioned to maintain its appeal to both domestic and international investors.

€50 Million Luxury Resort Planned For Ayia Napa

Ayia Napa could strengthen its position in the premium tourism market with a proposed €50 million mixed-use resort combining a hotel, serviced apartments, luxury bungalows and a beach club.

Aesara Investments Ltd has submitted an information form to the Department of Environment for a development to operate under the name Atlantica Wavemaster Hospitality. The project is planned for the Limnara area of Ayia Napa, along the coast south of Kryou Nerou Avenue, between the town centre and Cape Greco.

Hotel, Apartments And Luxury Bungalows

The proposed resort will include a 324-room hotel with capacity for 648 guests, alongside a condo-hotel building containing 20 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Facilities are planned to include restaurants, bars, cafés, a spa with an indoor pool, a gym, shops, a multipurpose hall, a children’s club and a cinema.

A further 33 three-level luxury bungalows, each designed for two guests and featuring a private swimming pool, are planned for the southern part of the site. A beach club with a restaurant and an outdoor pool complex covering more than 6,300 square metres will also form part of the development.

The project includes 321 parking spaces, including 12 for people with disabilities, and 14,196 square metres of landscaped green space featuring local plant species.

Seasonal Hotel Operations And Year-Round Residences

The hotel is expected to operate from March to November, with peak occupancy during the summer season. The condo-hotel apartments, meanwhile, will be available for sale or long-term rental and intended for year-round residence. Owners and tenants will also have access to the resort’s facilities, including its pools, restaurants and fitness areas.

Construction is expected to take 24 months once the required permits are secured. At the busiest stage, the project could employ around 100 workers per day.

Environmental Restrictions Near Cape Greco

The site’s proximity to protected Natura 2000 areas has prompted strict environmental requirements. The Cape Greco Special Protection Area borders the site to the south, while a Special Area of Conservation lies approximately 50 metres away.

Conditions imposed by the Department of Environment include a maximum building height of five floors, or 18.5 metres, and restrictions on permanent structures near the coastline. The project must also use spider-web type glazing and low-intensity lighting to minimise disturbance to local birdlife.

According to the project’s consultants, the design has been prepared to comply with the environmental conditions and the final report on cumulative impacts for the Cape Greco Special Protection Area. The hotel and apartment building are positioned in the central and northern parts of the plot, away from the shoreline.

Within the designated no-build zone, located 40 metres from the boundary of the beach protection zone, only swimming pools are planned. The consultants state that these are not expected to affect protected species in the area.

Aretilaw firm
Uol
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo

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