History: when Villa Maricel was originally built, it was the first property in the bay which subsequently became the marina. Consequently it has a larger house "footprint" than would now be allowed so close to the water. In the 1990s it was completely reconstructed (rather than just renovated) by the current owners, to become their family home. During this process only the exterior and main bearing structure was not dismantled. It would actually have been less expensive to knock down the old structure and start from scratch, but new building regulations would then not have allowed the same vast amount of space.

A new roof was installed; interior layout was changed; walls and floors were stripped to the base structure; completely new water piping system and a completely new electrical installation carried out. New drainage, bathrooms, doors and windows, new glass etc. were installed. All work was carried out to the highest standards of construction and only the best materials were used, and in some areas the house show-cases the technical and design features of its current owner profession as a designer and broker of extremely luxurious yachts. Since the reconstruction, Villa Maricel has been continuously kept up-to-date with new features.

Structural features. A lot of attention has been paid to insulation. The roof has been covered with several layers of insulation (40cm); all the floors have been insulated when the floor heating was installed; the exterior windows have double-glazing and doors are made of epoxy-laminated teak that is impermeable to rot, and the window frames are also treated for low maintenance. The extra insulation means that in the summer time with the fresh sea breeze and large opening windows, air-conditioning is rarely needed. In  winter the living room Jotul fireplace is capable of heating almost the whole first floor as almost no heat escapes. In practise the floor heating is used for about four or five months p.a. Extensive plasterwork with ceiling ornaments has been installed throughout.

A lot of attention has been paid to privacy. The windows have a slight tint in them that makes it hard to see in from out-side in, but without any "mirror" effect.

All interior areas (except for gym and garage) have been fitted with floor heating and air-conditioning. This system works with an electric Carrier heat pump / fan coil system. Advantage is taken of the (50% night) electricity discount rates. This makes it pleasant to walk barefoot on the marble tiles all year around. With a few hours of floor heating during the night, the villa keeps the villa cosy and warm for the 24-hour cycle. As a result particularly heating costs are minimal. The bathrooms have more extensive floor heating coils and are thus kept even warmer than the rest of the house and easier to ventilate. Floor heating is considered by most people to be the most pleasant, healthy and comfortable form of heating.

The bedrooms are much larger than typically found in a Spanish villa. Each bedroom has ample storage space in fitted closets. Each bedroom has individual telephone, television plus air-conditioning & heating control, and most have ADSL Internet / computer network access. Villa Maricel has more than double the amount wiring, cables and sockets than comparable villas. It is wired with the future in mind. Four of the five bedrooms have views of the marina. One has views of the courtyard.

Security. There is a internal/external alarm system and some exterior lighting is automatic during hours of darkness. The windows and exterior doors are "riot proof" double glazed, i.e. it will take several minutes and considerable effort and noise to break a windowpane with a hammer due to the composition of security glass and film used. Consequently wrought iron security grilles have only been fitted to windows that are usually left open in the summer months. Internal design means that the garden level floor can be used quite independently of the main street level floor if desired.

Summary of Technical Specifications. 

•  Air-conditioning throughout via a Carrier heat pump and fan coils (that blow cold air) with individual controls in each of the rooms.

•  Instant heating throughout via a Carrier heat pump and fan coils (that blow hot air) with individual controls in each of the rooms

•  Floor heating throughout via a Carrier heat pump and floor coils and area valves. This is a low expense system using the 50% night electricity discount rate to bring the marble floor temperature typically up to about 27 degrees Celsius.

•  Security Riot proof windowpanes / double-glazing; alarm system.

•  Endless pool pump, and Jacuzzi in pool.

•  Entertainment systems: Central music system wiring throughout, TV and Radio

•  Communications: Telephone connections in all rooms;  ADSL internet and computer network connections via WIFI and cable in most rooms.

•  Privacy. For an urban location Villa Maricel is very private due to its viewing angle (from the street and neighbours) and the mature and carefully pruned garden. The yacht marina is quiet and the only source (of minor) noise is the manoeuvring of yachts in and out of port.

•  The garden has an automatic sprinkler system and has been designed to be low on maintenance.

•  The swimming pool is heated with an electric 24kw 380VAC heat pump, which can bring the temperature up to about 40 Celsius. In addition there is a 20m2 large solar heating panel incorporated in the pergola roof, which can independently heat pool water with a circulation pump activated by a temperature sensor.

•  The swimming pool can be fully enclosed and become an indoor pool for use in the cooler months.

•  Environmental considerations: for a large and luxurious house, Villa Maricel is unusually "green", having low energy consumption due to extensive insulation and the use of solar and heat pump technology. Design results in minimal need for use of the air conditioning system. In the garden, maintenance costs are low due to the use native plants and special grass, with garden watering using a storage tank fed by rain water collection from the roof terrace.  

•  The villa is extremely well insulated against temperature fluctuations. More than double the recommended amount of insulation was used. 

•  The current owner will provide a warranty to the group for 12 months from date of sale for all utility equipment on the premises.