Spain, Traditional cortijo, set in productive organic gardens, artists studio, high sustainable potential – SP0205

A large, sympathetically renovated traditional cortijo with sustainable potential, beautiful high ceilings, 16 rooms (6 bedrooms) and many original features including a sizeable living room, master bedroom and well lit artists studio with it’s own terrace. Set in highly productive mature organic gardens and B&B rentals.

This unique renovated cortijo includes traditional features such as the double height and width front doors, original hydraulic and terracotta tiled floors. Lofty, beamed ceilings in most rooms and many artistic features. It has six bedrooms, two bathrooms, an oak doored, marble topped, fitted kitchen and oil fired central heating throughout, with period radiators. There are a few rooms left to be decorated to your own style and requirements.

There is potential for a separate ‘granny annex’ or B&B area.

The organically grown gardens have been described as an oasis, they just want to grow! Carefully planned, mature fruit trees give fruit virtually all year round. And a partly shaded vegetable plot allows potential for growing shade lovers such as raspberries as well as the more traditional sun loving peppers and tomatoes. A full grey water system in the house allows for garden irrigation plus the rights to 1 1/4 hours of ‘fuente’ water a month is available. Mains water is at the end of the drive if preferred. The gardens are on an automatic pipette irrigation system, plus the orchard is set up for flood irrigation. A 30,000 litre water tank under the garage feeds the house and gardens.

There is a large chicken and duck area with small duck pond. A large courtyard, partly shaded by mature grape vines, with solar heated wooden dip pool and a spacious workshop and under terrace area, both currently used as storage.

Located in a small hamlet in the campo, it is easily accessed on the country road and within 20 minutes of the two market towns of Albox and Chirivel.

This property needs to be seen to be appreciated. A semi detached property in Spain is very different from in the UK, this cortijo is so large you barely notice the attached neighbours (who only holiday there in the summer for a few weeks). With your tlc it has the potential to be a beautiful home as well as a fully sustainable garden and potential B&B for walkers, artists and nature lovers.

House Construction: 50cm thick traditional mud walls
Roof Construction: Traditional terracotta tiles
House-insulation: The walls 50cm thick and keep the cortijo cool in the summer
Roof-insulation: polystyrene cork sheets covered with plaster
Window-construction: Wood
Window-glazing:Double glazed
Window-shutters:Yes
Heating-house:Diesel fueled central heating plus wood burner in living room
Heating-water:In winter runs off the diesel central heating. In summer we switch to a bottled gas on demand heater.
Cooking method:Bottled gas
Electricity:Mains
Water:30,000 litre tank. Mains water close by but at present we use our one and a quarter hour monthly rights to fuente water. This has proved more than sufficient.
We also run a grey water irrigation system
Food-production:Well established gardens. Although the house sits on 1,147sqm plot the gardens are well stocked with mature fruiting trees.
Orange, clementine, lemon, lime, grapefruit, plum, apricot, cherry, fig, nispero, sharon fruit, pear, pomegranate, prickly pear, grapes, saffron, carob, almonds, olive, strawberry guava.
Separate vegetable plot plus potential for under planting in orchard.
Large chicken and duck area with small duck pond
Food-production-%:Potential for 80%. At present we don’t utilise this as we’re not there full time. When we were, we gave away some of the fruit as we couldn’t eat it all and there’s only so much jam you can make!
Income possibilities:Artists retreat
Art classes – I used to teach classes of 5 in the large art studio
B&B potential with restaurant nearby for clients
bird watchers and country walkers delight
Satellite internet and two landlines allow for working online from home.
Owners opinion on sustainable features: Traditional construction enhanced during renovation. Grey water system. Fuente water for home use and irrigation. Highly productive gardens.
Other: This semi detached property is on a country road near a restaurant/garage which makes it ideal for a B&B income. It’s in the campo with all that offers but is only a 20 minute drive to two different market towns.
It also features a large artists studio with excellent north light and great views.