La Virginia, the Golden Mile. Not your average urbanisation.

La Virgina is a place that perhaps the word charming was invented before. I am biased, I love this urbanisation. It's not slick but it is quirky, it is not in your face luxury rather gives an air of relaxed enchantment and to be enchanted with life is a luxury, is it not.

The location is pretty phenomenal, a 5 minute drive from the Marbella club but on the east side of the Golden Mile, so easy access to Marbella centre.

It was conceived in the 1960's as a response to the rapid urban development happening on the Costa del Sol. At that time a huge proliferation of cheap but not particularly attractive housing expansion was taking across Spain and Marbella.

La Virgina's aim was to offer a retreat, a more harmonious place which aesthetically resonated with those seeking more beauty and individuality, Donald Grey was one of the driving forces behind the development, an Australian architect influenced by Andalucian culture.

Every door is different and bougainvillea abounds. Every house has a name or at least a beautiful and intricate number to mark it. Consideration is a key word here, a world away from cookie cutter new builds.

The plethora of foliage, the cobbled streets and white washed houses were designed to replicate the authenticity and intimacy of a traditional village with small courtyards and fountains. All was considered, the way the light would interact, to create shade and space and communal areas, it even has it's own small chapel, restaurant and a tienda (store) to supply the needs of the community.

Around 60 houses are arranged on a small hill and each are different preserving the individuality. It's uniqueness has a bohemian air and has attracted artists and creatives looking for a retreat space who value aesthetics and tranquility.

This is a small scale development where craftsmanship, detail beauty and the flora takes precedence. Much of the urbanisation is pedestrianised with cars tucked neatly out of view. Many of the original trees including carob, olives, pines, figs were preserved. Shade, natural vegetation, and sound of water in fountains are all integral to the design — not afterthoughts

And in terms of real estate, houses don't come up for sale here very often... the luxury here is in the originality, the craftsmanship and the peaceful atmosphere. Limited availability means that the price holds well and you have limited choice. You could wait a lifetime for your dream home to come available... speaking of which, this was mine.

As in resorts like Puente Romano, properties here may well exceed the local price per sqm - what you are buying into is a real community with a low turnover. Sometimes we say money can't buy class, this is one of those places - where enchantment, details and beauty rein over the flash and fancy.

The community is graced with a spring and Christmas market where you can experience the magic for yourself.

Right now the restaurant is for sale and you can talk to me directly to find one of the discreet off-market opportunities available in this little slice of heaven.