Luxury and real estate
The Maltese Islands’ history goes back as far as 5900 BC, and its culture and heritage are reflected in the island’s architecture.
Although Malta was colonised by Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs throughout history, virtually no examples of these architectures have survived. Several styles influenced Maltese architecture, from Renaissance to modernism, which is why the cityscape is so mixed.
In recent years, more and more properties are appearing on the market that is classified as luxury. However, is it also worth considering what makes a property truly luxurious? In many cases, luxury is only manifested in size and price. Still, in reality, the picture is much more nuanced than that. An intellectual expense can be as significant as the location, style, functionality and high-quality equipment, and its combined harmony can make the property a luxury.
“Luxury is when it seems flawless”
Jean-Lous Deniot
We often come across home ads where the property is classified as luxury. However, when we take a closer look at the pictures and read its description, we are disappointed to find it is only an exaggeration again.
But what are the must-haves when we are talking about luxury property? Let’s find out!
Location.
This has been the most important one for centuries, as the castles and villas of the noble families have all been built exclusively in beautiful and pleasant places. And this is a mantra for real estate agents nowadays as well. But most people don’t know what this means.
Traditionally, the best location for a luxury home is far from busy roads, near a forest or right on the waterfront.
In a time when many areas of Malta are tortured with never-ending construction with mediocre apartment buildings, surroundings matter. An outstanding property will always be located far from noise and eyesores. Accessibility and appearance of the neighbourhood are essential factors.
You invest in the location if you buy a house or an apartment. This means that location is often the single most crucial driving force behind the value of a property.
Architecture.
There are different requirements for apartments and houses, considering their size difference. Still, luxury property is carefully designed, from detailed architectural, mechanical, and electrical plans to interior and garden/terrace design.
This includes the use of quality materials, craftsmanship and unique architecture.
Apartments
It is a residential unit that goes above and beyond to satisfy the needs of its owners. They are set in a high-security building built with top-notch materials.
It has to focus on providing ample natural light with floor-to-ceiling windows and a large terrace space for authentic outdoor living.
Openness is essential. Open views and bright daylight look appealing and feel good to live in as one enjoys the bright sunshine and the gentle cross breezes. Layouts have to be planned carefully.
Houses
Thoughtfulness also includes functionality. Unlike traditional detached houses, the layout according to different functional groups always prevails within a luxury property.
The family’s shared places are the kitchen, dining room and living room.
The ideal main bedroom is spacious and includes a walk-in wardrobe and an en-suite. Ideally, it has a separate terrace or private garden area. The other bedrooms also have individual bathrooms.
In the case of a house, nowadays, the design of a gym and a pool is essential.
The service rooms include the outdoor kitchen, laundry room, wine cellar, pantry, garden tool storage, etc. Furthermore, a garage with at least 2-3 parking spaces in the case of a luxury villa can be included in this category. Not because it is necessary to maintain so many cars but because it allows you to store many other vehicles: e.g. motorcycles, speedboats and different types of equipment.
Energy-efficiency.
It is no coincidence that passive and autonomous homes are becoming more common worldwide. Energy-level efficiency and eco-friendly designs are becoming increasingly essential during construction and furnishing. And recent building electrical and engineering trends are also pointing in this direction. But Malta is still far behind.
Considering the climate of the Maltese Islands, the primary issue is cooling and heating. Nowadays, using various gas boilers, radiators, and scattered air conditioners is old-fashioned. The real luxury solution is the heat pump heating and cooling system, which can be operated from the electricity grid and with renewable geothermal energy.
An essential part of a premium property is the construction of a ventilation system. This artificial ventilation system is based on an air exchanger with a heat exchanger and suitable filters and a well-designed, quiet-running, draft-free fan that constantly provides fresh air. It is advantageous if the property has solar collectors, a drilled well, a rainwater tank, or possibly sewage recycling equipment. These don’t necessarily have to be thought of as a luxury. Still, it can mean a lot since they are all environmentally friendly solutions, and they provide some independence from large distribution networks.
We can choose from a vast range of options for luxury electrical and comfort equipment. Thoroughly designed, multifunctional, digitally controlled lighting and keyless entry are no longer a rarity. It is also worth paying attention to the design of suitable electric shutters and other blinds.
The most important low-voltage systems are fire and property protection and multimedia systems such as television, the internet and central music. In a luxury home, these functions are always coordinated and can be controlled centrally. Thanks to this, we not only have the opportunity to make occasional settings, but we can also set up our system automatically. This allows for lighting and cooling-heating that automatically adapts to the time of day or for windows that respond to external environmental factors (e.g. rain).
