Buenos Aires Real Estate

Belgrano offers a niche for buyers seeking premium homes

Belgrano is famous for its architectural beauty and lush green spaces.  At the turn of the 20th century, the aristocracy that lived in the southern neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, constructed gorgeous country mansions in what is now Belgrano.  Fortunately, as Belgrano developed into an extension of the city of Buenos Aires and modern buildings were constructed, many of these stately homes remained, continue to be very well preserved, and now offer a real estate niche for select buyers. 

Many buyers seek condominium apartments in top rated buildings; however, there is a smaller premium market of very select buyers that prefer to buy the older residences that were constructed in what is known as Buenos Aires’ Belle Epoque, the Golden Era of construction.  With prices ranging from half a million to two million dollars, these homes offer an extremely high quality of construction, which utilized unique and irreplaceable materials. 

Belgrano offers a residential atmosphere with lots of space and greenery.  The area has attracted foreign embassies and diplomatic agencies which now occupy some of these stately homes surrounded by large gardens.   Belgrano is an ideal setting for these gorgeous homes, with quiet streets that are distant from busy avenues.  Some streets, such as Olleros, Gorostiaga, Pasaje Malasia, Arribeños and others, feature homes with a common architectural style, though each has unique differences that set it apart from others.  

There are two sectors of Belgrano where these houses abound, Belgrano R and Belgrano C.  In the latter, these homes are inter-mingled with premium apartment buildings.  Belgrano R is one of the best preserved residential areas.  It has its own history and character.  This tranquil area offers a high quality of life, with plenty of sunshine, greenery and open spaces.  Children have ample room to play without disrupting neighbors.  Residents of Belgrano R are able to enjoy comfort, lots of space and privacy, all within the city limits of Buenos Aires. 

The average buyer of these stately houses is a businessman who has a family with small children.  These premium homes are spacious, with a minimum of 400 to 500 m2 and some measuring as much as 1,000m2.  Most homes have four bedrooms, a playroom, more than one garage, maid’s quarters, a pavilion, barbecue grill, and swimming pool. 

Purchasing a home versus a premium condominium provides the owner with greater freedom of choice and the flexibility to remodel rooms or the structure of the house, without having to consult a homeowners’ association.  Owning a home also eliminates the usual homeowners’ association fees most condominiums charge. 

These homes maintain their prestigious level and value, with prices that range from USD 800,000 to USD 2 million.  It is not easy to appraise the value of these stately homes.  Many factors need to be evaluated before a final value can be established.  Each house is unique and can not be appraised solely on the basis of its square meters and style.  All of its unique features and the quality of its construction need to be considered.  The size, location and features of the lot are additional important factors in determining the final value of one of these premium houses.