El Sabuco is an old Inn that needs total renovation set in about 10 acres (4 hectares or 40,000m2) of national parkland 2 miles outside Trevelez in the heart of  the Sierra Nevada National Park. It has legal access and fantastic water rights and would be an ideal small hotel, B&B, rental or large private home.  The area of the building is about 250m2 on two floors and would make 7 or 8 doubles with ensuite and a restaurant with outside terrace and ample parking on the terrace on the other side of the road which is also included in the deed.  There are also a couple of small outbuildings.

The area is renowned for alternative interests, so would equally suit someone who wanted to set up yoga center, retreat etc, as well as the traditional hotelier.  

The area is famous for its pure air and water and the local air-cured hams.   Due to the demand for commercial premises to dry the ham, commercial property with good water rights will always fetch a good price.  However, I am afraid we will not accept offers from anyone wishing to dry hams or turn El Sabuco into a gas station.

We are asking Euro 225,000 (which we feel is very reasonable for this type of property in this area) because we have now emigrated to Australia.   El Sabuco has no outstanding issues and all the paperwork is in order.  National Park building regulations are very strict and no new development is permitted - only rebuilding of existing ruins. El Sabuco is possibly the only site (at least that I know of) in the fashionable end of the Alpujarra that offers such a unique collection of qualities.  The National Park laws will guarantee that further competition will be limited (if not non-existent) and that the area and the views will be protected into the future.

It is currently British owned, so there are no language problems.  An English speaking friend currently living nearby can show you around.

The three laws of property (location, location, location) certainly apply to El Sabuco. From a business point of view, it is just about the best location going. El Sabuco is located right on the Trevelez Road which is a perfect and prime position for a commercial premises and unique in that permission is no longer granted for new roadside building in the national park.  The Trevelez road is also quiet enough to build a residential property, but for those who want total seclusion, the ruin can be rebuilt further into the property (although I would not advise this for a business as it is the position of the old building and its history that make it so unique).

Trevelez is the highest village in Spain and attracts many thousands of visitors a year because of its ultra clean water and air (and the wonderful hams that are cured in it).  El Sabuco is in the right place to take advantage of the interest in Trevelez while being far enough away (2 miles) to offer a genuine rural environment.   There are also several colourful fiestas each year including "Los Christianos y El Moros" where the entire village dress in period costume and re-enact the famous battle between Moors on Christians.  It is a rather spectacular sight with many of the protagonists on horseback.

View from the old Inn

The nearest neighbours (only visible from the highest fields) are a horse riding center who offer trail riding vacations and always need accommodation for their clients and certainly this is a possibility for instant business should you wish to make a small rural hotel.  To the west, there are several holiday cottages to rent and they would also produce ready clients for a restaurant or bar.    Several tour groups (3 horse riding, 2 mountain biking, 4 walking groups and various yoga, photography and painting groups) bring people to the area and are always looking for something a little different. There is also an ancient right of way that connects El Sabuco to the GR7 network of walking/riding/cycling trails which would make it particularly suitable for those activities.

Water Rights

The 2 perennial problems with property in the Alpujarras (and to a lesser extent in the rest of Spain) are access and water.  El Sabuco has no problem at all with access being accessed by a sealed tar road and having a legal dirt road internally to access all other parts.  

 El Sabuco is similarly blessed with water rights and is supplied by a Barranco La Bina – one of the best supplies in the Alpujarra and where the locals (who know a thing or two about the subject) take their water.

The open Acequia (moorish channel) was very beautiful, but completely impractical as 10 hours hard labour a week was required to keep the water on.  I have now laid 2 km of pipe in the problem areas to ensure a trouble free supply.

In spring, the amount of water can be as much as a litre per second.  This naturally slows down in summer, but never dries up.   There is actually much more water than is needed for the amount of land and several times more

The field pictured above is currently being used by the neighbours as a horse school (see below).  

This arrangement can be continued or the field can be returned to normal as above

 than is needed to run a large house or small hotel.   This not only gives a nice secure feeling, but can actually work out financially in a dry summer when excess water can be sold to the neighbouring farms (about 6 Euros an hour).   There is 1 km of  permanent pipe to the nearest neighbour to allow excess water to be piped over should they wish to buy  it.

Electricity is at the main house awaiting re-connection.

Status for Planning

El Sabuco was a commercial property in the past and so can be re-built as such or turned into a very large private house.  Each year there is significant grant money available to assist with rural tourism development.

History

The annual “Fiesta de Cortijeros”was originally held at El Sabuco and the locals would be keen to see it reinstated at its traditional location.  This would be good business as well as good for getting to know the other farmers of the region. 

If you have any further questions or would like to come and see the place, email me on rickpage27@gmail.com

Here are some more pictures:

These 2 piccies show how the main field next to the old Inn has been graveled and is currently being rented out as a horse school.  The gravel could easily be sold off (or used elsewhere) and the field would make an excellent market garden as horse manure has been leeching through the thin gravel layer for years.  The water supply is above the farm, so no pumps are needed.  It would also make a fantastic pool or outdoor area/workshop. 

There is space enough for both simultaneously.

This picture shows the view from the old Inn towards the Med

  This picture shows the view from the top of El Sabuco towards Trevelez.

  Here is a picture of  me schooling a young horse in winter with the mountain range "Piedra Ventana" looking rather pretty in snow in the background.

  Sunset in Autumn

Although there is still plenty of work to be done, at the end of it the new owner will have something of great spiritual and financial value.  While it is possible to find cheaper properties on the internet, my searches in the real world have found most of them to be problematic and others to be downright fraudulent.   Everything in El Sabuco is completely above board and you certainly will not be wasting your time by putting it on your "must see" list.   

If you need any further information, feel free to get in touch on the email below.  Good luck in your search!

Contact  rickpage27@gmail.com