Property for sale in Santa Catalina

Santa Catalina is widely known as one of the top three neighbourhoods in Palma, particularly when it comes to international buyers looking for second homes. In turn, this has attracted a dynamic business in the centre, particularly near the Santa Catalina market. Santa Catalina is an attractive place to invest in Mallorca, particularly for buyers in want of a vibrant expat community and easy access to Palma city centre. The demand for property in Santa Catalina shows no sign of waning given its trendy ambience, proximity to the Paseo Marítimo promenade and few minutes’ stroll to the main shopping street Jaime III.

What once started out as a small fishing village has now turned into a diverse community of creatives with a distinctive eye for luxury living. This area is a honey-pot for creative business across Europe which has attracted a high-end clientele and created a vibrant space for people to live in. Situated in close proximity to the marina, the area has also proved popular with the sailing community which has helped build an attractive social network. This uninterrupted flow of people stepping off their yachts and into Santa Catalina contributes to a healthy neighbourhood buzz all-year round. Many yacht owners and sailing crew use Santa Catalina as a base meaning that property is normally bought as a second home, a place to reside after a sunny voyage around the world.

ES JONQUET

This centre of this historic area begins near Plaza Vapor where you will find narrow streets and old Mallorcan windmills. Es Jonquet is famous for its white-washed fishing cottages, sought-after for their vintage character. The area has been declared a site of cultural interest by the local government and is hugely popular with buyers after properties with architectural history. The area has one of the highest asking prices per sqm in Santa Catalina which is in part due to its position, overlooking the Bay of Palma.

SANTA CATALINA CENTRE

The heart of Santa Catalina circles the Santa Catalina market where people from all over Palma come to do their weekly food shop. Properties here range from two to seven-storey buildings and include some of the area’s most luxurious penthouses. The close proximity to healthy eateries and Santa Catalina’s emblematic church make this the cool part of Santa Catalina to buy property in, particularly for young international buyers.

SANTA CATALINA TENNIS CLUB

This area of Santa Catalina surrounds the Palma Sport and Tennis Club where the Legends Cup is hosted every year. Properties here tend to be more on the residential side, appealing to buyers who live and work in the city. Thanks to the Club the property market here has grown and expanded the Santa Catalina perimeter, bringing more buying interest to its neighbouring area Son Espanyolet.

UPPER SANTA CATALINA

Upper Santa Catalina is much quieter than the centre and is where you will find a much larger community of Spanish residents. Follow Carrer de la Industría out of the centre into the area of Son Espanyolet where you will find the pace of life slow down. Tall apartment buildings with flats on the highest floors are the most expensive with maximum sunlight and views overlooking the bay of Palma, the Cathedral and Bellver Castle.

• Older style houses will rarely have heating or air-conditioning installed
• Parking can be difficult
• Some streets in the centre are noisy, especially at night
• It can get very touristy in the centre, particularly during the summer months
• Es Jonquet has two nightclubs which attract large numbers of party-lovers

IN THE CENTRE

Properties in the centre are varied but consist mainly of large penthouses and converted apartments. Roads leading off Plaza de la Navegació are home to modern conversions with open-plan style living areas and outdoor patios. Buyers interested in the Es Jonquet area will be pleased to know that its fisherman’s cottages are lot more spacious than they look. While seemingly small, they often have gardens that go far back. The trick in the centre of Santa Catalina is to pay close attention to the market – newly-refurbished apartments come and go quickly.

ON THE OUTSKIRTS

As you go further out, more high rise apartments and community buildings become the norm. Apartments and townhouses start to vary more in architectural style due to German, Swiss and Scandinavian influences. Buyers will notice that it is more relaxed in the outskirts with more opportunity to renovate and showcase individual style. You are also more likely to find properties at more competitive prices here as opposed to areas like Es Jonquet and Santa Catalina centre.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Given the high demand in Santa Catalina, developers are always filing to build new projects. However, the local government have imposed more rules in recent years making it not so easy to get planning permission. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t plots available to build on, in fact, there are many areas of Santa Catalina in the process of being re-constructed. Therefore, it is worth checking before you buy that the surrounding area is not up for construction – a seemingly clear view might turn into a looming block of flats in a year or two.

Whether you’re in need of a top-class construction company or architect to help renovate your new home, a property lawyer to help you through the legalities of the buying process or an interior designer to guide through the world of Mallorca furniture stores, the below businesses can make your property dream in Santa Catalina a reality.

Other important factors to buying a property in Santa Catalina also include choosing a reputable real estate agent and entrusting in a good mortgage provider. From hundreds of potential clients to work with, we’ve selected only the best talent there is to help you settle in and live well in Mallorca.

As Palma’s trendiest neighbourhood, Santa Catalina sways even the most particular buyer. Whether it’s buying a fisherman’s cottage tucked away down a narrow street (Es Jonquet), a spacious penthouse (Santa Catalina centre) or renovating a town-house (Upper Santa Catalina) the portfolio of property in Santa Catalina is extensive. The area is wonderfully diverse where Mallorcan locals happily brush shoulders with entrepreneurs, retired captains and young creatives. Santa Catalina is Palma’s biggest melting-pot of culture which has trickled into its property market, giving us apartments with huge international appeal.