Dreaming of Marrakech? Make it your reality

Our discussion with Mehdi Amar, associate director of BARNES Marrakech, inspired an irresistible urge to book a plane ticket to Marrakech. The Red City has always radiated beauty, but for the last 10 years, this prestigious destination has been emitting a particularly international aura with new trendy places, fashionable boutiques, and restaurants showcasing the flavors of the world.

How’s the real estate market doing in Marrakech?

“The market is dynamic and recovering. It’s suitable for buyers, the most recent of which are highly motivated and come ready to buy. Above all, they are jumping at the opportunity to make their dream of buying a vacation property (or primary residence) a reality, thanks to the city’s high-quality real estate. Prices are stabilized, with many transactions already underway since the beginning of the year: villas, apartments, building land. Potential buyers are attracted to the high quality of life and luxury properties. Prices per m2 can’t even comparable with residences in Saint-Tropez, Cannes and other coveted resorts. For example, the price per m2 for a very high-end apartment is 3,000 euros,” Medhi Amar tells us

Who’s buying? And what are they buying?

“We have investors from all over the world. The understanding and kinship between France and Morocco have always attracted French people in search of fresh air and sunshine. But we also have many Europeans, binational couples, and Moroccans who live abroad. Considering the mild climate and daily flights, tourism has certainly had an effect on Marrakech, making it the most vibrant city in Morocco and a coveted leisure destination. The atmosphere in Marrakech is unique, the people are welcoming, they love to receive and share.”

Mehdi Amar also told us that “buyers in Marrakech are happy to find a nice variety of residences. The most popular properties are apartments in the city, villas with swimming pools outside Marrakech, and building land, but also riads in the Medina, which have been transformed into private residences or guest houses and regular houses in full-service residential complexes.” These residences are maintained to perfection, and the compensation for foreigners who won’t hesitate to hire a chef, housekeeper, and year-round gardener.

The most popular places in Marrakech

“The unmissable Medina, but also the Palmeraie,” the Director of BARNES Marrakech revealed. The BARNES agency in Marrakesh is a leader in regional real estate, covering thousands of palm trees and golf courses.

Also, Ourika Road, en route towards the mountains is very beautiful. After all, Marrakesh is the dessert but also the mountains. The Oukaimedem ski resort is only an hour away from the city and reserved for those who can ski 3,000 meters up. The Route du Barrage, with many golf courses south of Marrakesh, boasts magnificent views of the Atals Mountains.

Villas are spacious and luxurious with swimming pools and beautiful gardens. Mehdi Amar let us know that “the regulation obliges private properties to have at least 1 hectare of land. This rule does not apply to villas forming part of a golf course or residential complex.”

With his associate Karine El Baroudi, Mehdi Amar and his entire team are specialized in luxury property transactions. As of recently, the agency is taking hold of a new sector: high-end seasonal rentals that complete long-term rentals. This is a response to an increasingly important demand of an international clientele who wishes to enjoy 2 to 3 hours of their idyllic vacation home (without the time difference).

Marrakesh in one word

We asked Mehdi Amar to play our little game: Describe Marrakech in one word. Without an ounce of hesitation, he says “Quality of life,” and then follows up cheekily, “There is not 1 Marrakesh, but 10 Marrakechs.” Festive, active, adventurous (with the Berbers in the desert and mountains), the Medina, cultural, relaxing, golf, gastronomy, craftsmanship, architecture … Mehdi is right. One word is not enough, and neither is 10.