Palmeraie, a Suburb of Marrakesh, Offers Palatial Villas With Oasis-Style Gardens

Palmeraie, once a stop for nomadic Berber tribes traveling across the Sahara Desert, is a desert suburb of Marrakesh known for its opulent villas with oasis-style landscaped gardens. Set amid groves of date palms and verdant grasslands, beneath the Atlas Mountains and surrounded by burnished desert sands, Palmeraie looks like it’s been lifted from the pages of "Arabian Nights."

The boundaries

Palmeraie is about 10 kilometres northeast of the city’s medina quarter, which is home to labyrinths of souks and the city’s main square, the Jemaa el Fna. Marrakesh lies to the west, the Route de Fez (the N8) to the south, Bab Atlas, a residential area, is on the eastern edge, and the Oued Tensift, a river, lies to the north.

Price range

Palmeraie is renowned for its palatial villas and estates with wonderful oasis-style gardens, according to Alex Peto, partner at Kensington Morocco, an affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate.

Villas start from €3 million to €4 million (US$3.5 million to US$4.17 million) and rise to €50 million (US$59 million), but a few can go for much more, he said. "The emir of Qatar reportedly bought a palace in Palmeraie last year for a large undisclosed sum. There are rumors that the price was close to €100 million," Mr. Peto said.

Grant Rawlings, of Chic Marrakech, a real estate agency, said properties in the area can be bought for as little as €500,000 (US$590,000). The most affordable villas are those located in compounds with a number of other properties.

Plots of land are still available to buy for development in Palmeraie. "They will set you back about €1 million (US$1.2 million), and the cost of building a large house is about €2 million to €3 million (US$2.4-$3.5 million)," Mr. Peto said.

Estate agents quote prices in euros but transactions are processed in Moroccan dirhams.

Housing stock

The Palmeraie area dates back to the early 1980s and many of its classic homes are from that period, according to Mr. Rawlings. The French (who make up Morocco’s largest expat community) were the first to buy land and build houses in Palmeraie.

The most lavish homes are set within vast walled estates. If you see high walls and imposing gates, you know there’s going to be an impressive house behind them, Mr. Peto said. "Many of the houses are large and come with five to 15 bedrooms."

Palmeraie boasts some truly amazing homes, which offer every imaginable luxury, as well as some rather impressive estates, said Mr. Rawlings. Most come with 10 hectares (24 acres) of land, though, there are some that extend to 30 hectares, Mr. Peto said.

Outdoor spaces are a major feature of the properties. They can be spectacular, featuring lakes, tennis courts, and spas, according to agents. Swimming pools and formal gardens are common features.

So which homes have the best gardens? "In my opinion they are those that were built on the original farms in Palmeraie. They were bought in the ‘80s and converted into standout homes by celebrity architects such as Charles Boccara and Ellie Mouyal and offer by far the most impressive gardens and mature gardens."

The architecture in Palmeraie is eclectic, a mix of modern European and ancient Moorish styles. Dar Sabra is a former-residence-turned-hotel that was built in the style of the Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta by French art enthusiast Francois Chapoutot. His international art collection is arranged around the cube-shaped house and grounds. It is currently on the market for €6 million (US$7 million) with Chic Marrakech.

Contemporary-style homes are becoming more fashionable, though, Mr. Peto said. "People want large windows to bring in plenty of light. Moroccan houses have traditionally had small windows to ensure that the property stayed cool in summer, but now there is air conditioning."

Take, for example, the Nordic Villa, an 11-bedroom property for sale for €13.5 million, that’s designed in Moorish and Scandinavian styles. Charming and modern, huge windows flood the house with light, while heritage-style Moorish décor give it a cozy, exotic ambience.

Facing the Atlas Mountains to the south, it comprises three properties and is set on 5.6 hectares (13.8 acres) of gardens and grounds, which feature an olive grove, an orange-tree orchard and a vertical garden. A hammam, a yoga studio, and a gym are included.

What makes it unique?

The picturesque landscapes and close proximity to the city’s medina quarter make it an appealing place to live, Mr. Peto said. The pace of life is slower and it’s a tranquil place, yet the hustle and bustle of the city’s main square is not too far away.

Over the past decade or so, Palmeraie has become one of Marrakesh’s poshest districts. It is a chic and cool place to live, Mr. Rawlings said. "It is built in a stunning natural environment of palm groves."

Palmeraie is arguably cooler than it’s neighboring areas, as it is surrounded by grassland and it sits beneath the majestic Atlas Mountains, which have peaks covered in snow from September to April. Though it is safe to walk the streets, most people get around by car because the properties are sprawling and neighbors tend to be far away.

Luxury amenities

Palmeraie has some great bars and restaurants. Nikki Beach, the luxury beach club concept, is a great place to go for a long lunch. One of the city’s most famous nightclubs, Mariinski has a baroque Russian-style setting and cabaret feel. Le Blokk, a restaurant with a Thai, French and Moroccan menu, has live music shows and a glamorous 1950s-style setting.

Some of the best restaurants are in the area’s deluxe hotels, according to agents. The Amanjena, part of the Aman Resorts, has a Japanese restaurant with a sushi bar and robata grill that offers izakaya-style cuisine. Featuring Moorish architecture, a 21-hole golf course, library and swimming pool, it’s a popular spot with celebrities.

In 2015, David Beckham reportedly celebrated his 40th birthday at the hotel and hosted a party that was attended by the likes of Tom Cruise and Guy Ritchie. It was used as a film location in the 2010 film "Sex and the City 2."

The Mandarin Oriental Jnan Rahma’s four fine-dining restaurants are Mes’ Lalla, which serves traditional Moroccan food with a modern twist; Ling, a Chinese eatery; La Salon Berbere, which has an international menu; and the Pool Garden, where diners can enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired lunch.

The Palais Namaskar’s La Namaskar is also a fine dining restaurant, with a classic French and Moroccan menu and views over Balinese-inspired gardens and pool.

Golf enthusiasts can improve their swing at PalmGolf, a 27-hole golf course with a golf academy and ProShop. A clubhouse with 11 rooms, a restaurant and bar, along with a conference room with a capacity of 2,000 people, are also onsite.

Popular private schools include Lycee Victor Hugo, a French international school situated in the Gueliz district, which offers classes for middle and senior high school students. A primary school, called Auguste Renoir, is part of the complex.

The American School of Marrakesh, on the Route De Ouarzazate, is a prestigious non-for-profit independent school, which serves students in kindergarten through to 12th grade.

Who lives there?

The area attracts a mixed international crowd. The majority of residents are from France (Morocco was ruled by the French for 44 years up until 1956) and the Middle East, according to Mr. Peto. "There are homeowners from Britain, the U.S. and New Zealand, plus a few from Morocco."

For most of the residents, this is their second, third or fourth home, so they don’t live there year-round, he said. "They tend to reside there for four to six months of the year."

Notable residents

As previously mentioned, the emir of Qatar is said to have bought a palace there. Marella Agnelli, Italian style icon and wife of Gianni Agnelli, the chairman of Fiat, and Guy de Rothschild of the banking dynasty have owned landmark properties in Palmeraie.

The outlook

Palmeraie was affected by the 2008 financial crisis and a few years later by the Arab Spring in 2011. Some of the Arab uprisings ended in the fall of leaders and "people thought that Morocco was going the same way," Mr. Peto said.

He continued: "People did take a breather and think ‘should I be investing so much money in this country?’ Prices did fall but they now have stabilized and in some places values have risen. House prices in Palmeraie did take a hit and they are about 30% lower than in 2008."

But things are looking more positive for the near future. Recent investment from luxury hotel brands is evidence that confidence is returning to the market. Oberoi opened a five-star hotel on the eastern edge of the city two years ago and the Amanjena has been recently refurbished.

Mr. Rawlings added: "For Chic Marrakech, the property market has remained robust in recent years and has weathered any turbulence well. A huge amount of Middle Eastern money has poured into Marrakesh due to the fragility of other regional markets, which helped offset any dip from the global crash."