Villas with Turquoise Outlooks by Uta Abendroth | 1st September, 2017 | Prime Properties

Sunsets on the Costa Navarino are quite simply breathtaking. Nothing disturbs the view out over the Ionian Sea; the beach with its golden sands glistens in the evening sun and, as the day draws to a close, the hawksbill turtles have their territory back to themselves once again. The area is located in the southwest Peloponnese, where Messenia is still incredibly untouched. The climate is mild with warm temperatures all year round, and the region is known for its plentiful and fertile land. Agriculture dominates the landscape, from silvery olive groves to orange, lemon, fig and almond trees. The area is witnessing revitalisation, spurred along by the airport in Kalamata, the capital of Messenia, and the practically new motorway running between Athens and Kalamata. All stories here begin with the vision of one man: the Greek shipping magnate Vassilis C. Constantakopoulos. He was born in 1935 in the Messenian village of Diavolitsi, around 30 kilometres from the coast. He travelled to sea for 21 years, and in 1974 he founded the Costamare Shipping Company, which went on to become one of the largest container ship companies in the world and now has 25 freight ships in its fleet. For the captain, who died in 2011, his homeland was the finest place on earth. He wanted to make it more well known, without turning it into a tourist fairground. Patience was one of his strengths. Over the decades he gradually bought up strategically placed land plots, until he was able to form a connected area of more than 1,000 hectares. Only around ten percent of this surface area is built up however, as the preservation of the landscape and natural habitat have top priority. That was the will of the captain, and it is in this spirit that his family continues to operate the development. 2010 saw the opening of the two five-star hotels ‘The Westin Resort Costa Navarino’ and ‘The Romanos – A Luxury Collection Resort’. In accordance with Constantakopoulos’ motto ‘fine living the eco-centric way’, the architecture throughout the entire complex is inspired by local architectural traditions. The water supply is sourced solely from naturally renewable resources, while the electricity supply is generated from a photovoltaic park. During construction work, a total of some 6,000 century-old olive trees were temporarily uprooted, only to be later replanted in the new resort.

“The residences blend in as an authentic part of the natural environment and the unique seaside landscape.” Yiannis Romanos, A.N. Tombazis & Associates Architects

Now, in the second building phase, houses are taking shape directly on the beach and in the olive groves, known as the Olive Grove Neighbourhood. A total of 22 beachfront villas are all southwest-facing. Ten residences are being built in the very front row, with five in the second, another five in the third row, and two in the fourth. The views looking out over the sea are just as superb from every home, as the estate rises up from the shore and residents in the rear villas can look out over the top of the villas in front of them. Grass roofs on the one-storey buildings will make it appear as though the outlook stretches out over abundant greenery. And then over turquoise waters beyond. The land plot sizes vary from 2,000 to 3,000 square metres, with interiors between 650 and 1,000 square metres, and sea frontages of around 35 metres. The appointment standard includes an outdoor and indoor pool, a home spa, fitness suite and home cinema. To the north of the villas lies ‘The Dunes Course’: the first signature golf course in Greece, with fairways that stretch out over hilly and diverse terrain. It was designed by the former US Masters  champion and captain of the European Ryder Cup team, Bernhard Langer. The course also plays host to an approx. 3,500 square metre clubhouse and the Navarino Golf Academy. Just above this area lies the Olive Grove Neighbourhood, where 28 homes are currently taking shape. The land plot sizes vary from 1,400 to 1,700 square metres, with living spaces of between 250 and 550 square metres in size. While the 15 golf front villas bordering directly onto the golf course are built on one single level, the panorama villas are set over two storeys. This too is to ensure that all residents get to enjoy the splendid outlook over the Bay of Navarino.

Six renowned Greek architecture firms were won over to undertake the design the villas: A.N. Tombazis & Associate Architects, ISV Architects, K-Studio, KLAB Architecture, Kois Associated Architects and Potiropoulos + Partners. They have designed a total of three house types, each with three different layouts and appointment standards. Interested buyers can therefore choose between a total of nine variants and incorporate many of their own tastes and visions into the design. All the residences have been inspired however by local and traditional styles and techniques of Messenian architecture. This has resulted, for example, in curved archways, the typical irregular stone façades in pale ocre, barbecue areas reminiscent of old open fires, and roofed outdoor areas that form part of the bio-climatic architecture. In line with the ideas and sensibilities behind Captain Constantakopoulos and his concept, sustainability is deemed more important here than air conditioning systems. The various different residences preside over studios, study rooms or larger offices, and separate guest wings – as the properties are not conceived merely as temporary holiday dwellings. Anyone lucky enough to reside here is sure to feel at home the whole year round, and residents always have all amenities in the Navarino Resort at their disposal including access to the two five-star hotels. This is also true of the two golf courses – the aforementioned ‘The Dunes Course’ and the ‘The Bay Course’, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and featuring some fairways that run directly parallel to the sea. Villa owners are also free to make use of the Anazoe Spa, the tennis courts, and the fitness area.

Contact: 

EV Resorts GmbH – Licence partner of Engel & Völkers Residential GmbH

TEL.:  +49 40 368 80 82 00 E-MAIL: costanavarino@engelvoelkers.com