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Sophisticated Marrakesh is luring a new breed of buyer

At Africa’s northern tip, Morocco is just nine miles from Spain and was once seen as an exotic destination by an elite group including Sir Winston Churchill, the millionaire Getty family and designer Yves St Laurent.

At Africa’s northern tip, Morocco is just nine miles from Spain and was once seen as an exotic destination by an elite group including Sir Winston Churchill, the millionaire Getty family and designer Yves St Laurent.

However, the country is turning into a free-for-all as developers move in and cranes line the cost as developers spring up. Paul Staines of Newbury-based Saffron Villas says the country is becoming more appealing to British buyers. “We sold 200 properties in 2005 and more than 400 this year,” he says.

Morocco traditionally attracted wealthy, bohemian buyers seeking riads hidden in the medina walls but in the past 18 months, popularity has shifted to modern apartments in developments such as those by Spanish developer Fadesa, in the north coast town of Saida. Off-plan apartments there typically cost £120,000 to £140,000.

Leading developer Emaar is pumping £3.6 billion into projects around the country, including sites on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts and inland at a £172 million golfing complex in Marrakesh.

The country’s property market has exploded over the past two years, with prices rising an average of 20 per cent – more in hotspots near Tangier. “We have examples of owners seeing the value of their property rise by 50 per cent in 12 months,” says Staines.

Estate agents admit the infrastructure remains basic-Morocco’s roads and trains are slow compared with Europe-but the government’s “Azur programme” aimed at boosting tourist numbers five-fold to ten million by 2010 is well under way.

Marrakesh is the most cosmopolitan region, with smart restaurants, hotels and nightclubs, plus developments such as Amanatlas, where four and five-bedroom villas start at £448,275.

In April, Jane Mason, 30, a fashion industry headhunter from Manchester, bought at development Les Parcs de L’Agdal in Marrakesh: “I spent a lot of time here as a photography student ten years ago and I’ve always wanted to come back.”

Jane paid £140,000 for her two-bedroom flat with huge roof terrace just minutes from the medina. “Marrakesh is the coolest place,” she says. “One moment you feel you have stepped back in time then find yourself in the most sophisticated bar that you’ve ever been to.”

Jane plans to spend holidays in Marrakesh and is learning Moroccan Arabic, but hopes to let the apartment to anyone wanting to sample “the real Morocco”. Despite budget carriers now operating the three-hour flight to Marrakesh, Jane believes the city will never appeal to the masses. “You wouldn’t find chavs here; its not like being in England. It’s very French here. Its sophistication is part of its appeal.”