Puerto Banus may be the most iconic port in southern Spain, but it could soon have a rival just down the road, thanks to a £350 million investment.
Marbella’s La Bajadilla marina has always played second fiddle to her glitzy sibling which is the chosen hangout of celebrities, millionaires and anyone who wants to drool over superyachts.
But Marbella’s quieter port could soon be attracting an A-list of its very own, after plans for a 400 million euro investment, including a cruise ship terminal, were approved.
Qatari Sheikh Abdullah Ben Nasser Al-Thani, who owns Malaga Football Club, will extend the port and include a 200m quay for cruise liners in a bid to attract a new form of tourism of Marbella’s shores.
Plans for a five-star hotel on the marina, as well as bars, restaurants, shops and supermarkets will revamp the eastern area of the city, bringing La Bajadilla in line with famous Puerto Banus in the west.
Development chiefs have asked for the new marina to be ’emblematic’, hoping it will become a top holiday destination.
It already has a tourist industry, with its own hotels and beaches, but the investment would attract a larger number of high-end visitors.
An industrial state, which has dominated the eastern coastline on the outskirts of Marbella for decades, will also be done away with to create and area for more urban development and green space,. It will eventually be serviced by an AVE (high speed) train line, to link it with the rest of Spain.
The project is being referred to as the most important urban development in Marbella’s history.
The redevelopment of Marbella’s less tourist-friendly east side marks an effort by the Spanish authorities to invest in Spain’s future after tourism dipped dramatically during the recession.
Not only will the revamped marina provide more berths for private boats and yachts, but it makes possible Marbella’s long-cherished ambitions of providing anchorage for cruise ships.
A 200-metre pier in the outer part of the marina, connecting directly with the inner harbour, will allow liners to dock and put passengers ashore to spend time – and money – in Marbella.
The luxury trade has not been overlooked and an exclusive pier inside the marina is to be set aside for 26 boats.
With a further 541 berths for private craft, La Bajadilla’s capacity will increase from the present 262 to 803.
The marina will also provide more moorings for pleasure and excursion craft, with room available for fishing boats and nautical industries.
The project includes underground parking for 450 vehicles in addition to 683 parking spaces above ground.
