Lorraine, how are you? How good that technology allows us this contact and what a pity that it is not in some little bar in the Port of Punta del Este!
Next time we do it with the sea in the background.
Of course!
Now yes, tell us what is Crucero Real Estate?
We are a real estate company that has been operating in the Punta del Este market in Uruguay for 16 years, basically in what has to do with real estate purchase and sale transactions and seasonal tourist rentals. Also since last year, we started working in the area of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, particularly in the city of Porto Alegre and the idea for this 2023 is to begin to know and venture into the São Paulo market.
Has Punta del Este changed a lot in these 16 years? How would someone who has not visited it for a long time find the city?
I would tell you quite a bit. After that remembered crisis back in 2002, as we began to recover, timidly and gradually a process of real estate investment development began to take shape that became more accentuated and intensified over the years and is very strong today. In addition, a phenomenon of expansion and development to the east was generated. Before, everything was very centralized and focused on the Peninsula and surrounding areas. And during this displacement, areas such as La Barra, Montoya, Manantiales, Santa Mónica, Balneario Buenos Aires, of course José Ignacio and more recently Pueblo Garzón, were even chosen as a change of life for an interesting colony of Englishmen who chose to settle in the place for a couple of years. In this process, obviously, commercial activity also increased, not only in terms of the gastronomic proposal, but also traditional supermarkets that set up their branches, stores in general, until the construction of a new shopping center “Oh La Barra” in 2014 and more recently the MACA, Atchugarry contemporary art museum on Route 104. In recent times it is also noteworthy that the development of various and numerous private neighborhoods has gained momentum and prominence.
Punta del Este was traditionally a market for real estate investments and summer homes. Today it is growing a lot in permanent housing, how do you see the change in the city, with the largest permanent population throughout the year?
Yes, today there is a large flow of Argentine citizens who are coming to settle in Uruguay and our resort, driven by the situation and fluctuations in their country and basically looking for the tranquility and stability that our destiny offers them. Punta del Este is a safe and peaceful place with an appropriate infrastructure to welcome those who are longing for and/or making that change in life. Good schools, a good health system, and projects under development that will give more momentum and dynamics, such as the new Shopping Center at Parada 22 on Avenida Roosevelt or the office complex on Avenida Gorlero and Calle 23. In turn, the Government approved a call for bids for the award of the development of a free zone in Jagüel. There are 42 hectares and the area must have a profile of industry and innovation and technological services.
What is the most demanded by the Argentine client?
In reality, there is nothing specific that is most in demand. Punta del Este offers all kinds of properties for both the middle and upper class. Luxury and high-end apartments, smaller apartments with 1 or 2 bedrooms between 35 and 70 m2, large and beautiful houses of classic style or of modern and avant-garde construction or smaller, in all our residential neighborhoods, lots to build in private neighborhoods, etc. There is a wide and varied proposal for all tastes, desires and needs, since everything is required.
I imagine that despite this change in profile, Punta del Este is still a tourist destination with a varied and first-rate gastronomy. Gastronomy continues to be one of the pillars of the offer for tourists and residents. Am I right?
Punta del Este has an abundant gastronomic proposal in different areas and including all regional and international food styles. For example: not far away, in Balneario Solís we have an Armenian food restaurant or in Pueblo Edén a restaurant with country cuisine, lamb, rabbit, duck. We also have excellent wineries, wine tasting in places like Viña Edén, Garzón or José Ignacio, even offering guided tours. Top quality wines and of course our renowned Tannat variety.
Pleasure activities can be many and diverse, from walking within the Playa Mansa, Cantegril or Solanas neighborhood appreciating and in connection with nature, gardens and residences, walking on the different beaches or going around our boulevard. Contemplate and enjoy the different sunsets and sunsets with their different shades of colors. Sail the sea, tour the port, visit Gorriti Island, museums and art galleries.
The Argentinian who spends the summer in Punta del Este, normally boasts of knowing every corner, what places are little known and you recommend without any doubt for the Argentinian to visit, when walking through Punta?
Well look, I would suggest a place that I particularly discovered in times of pandemic and that Charles Darwin even visited during his visits to Uruguay in 1833. For lovers of sports, adventure, nature and trekking, half an hour from Punta is the Sierra de las Ánimas where several circuits are offered such as Pozos azules, Cañadón de la Palma, full moon in the mountains, Cerro Betete, lagoons, slopes of the Sugar Loaf. It is worth knowing the place and doing them.
I understand that there are many companies that are dedicated to Real Estate in Punta del Este, what is your differential and why should they choose you as advisors?
We like to offer a personalized treatment and at the same time calm and quiet. Continuing to look for what the customer needs and wants to access, but trying not to apply pressure or practice a pushy sales style. Respecting the time of the person. We like to work honestly and above all respecting our colleagues.
And you already told me something but… what is it like to venture into new markets like the Brazilian? What differences are there with the Uruguayan.
Entering the Brazilian market has personally been a very enriching experience. There are very visible and marked differences. In Porto Alegre, the facades of the buildings are perhaps not as sumptuous as those of many projects in Punta del Este and the dimensions of the apartments are usually very large. I have come across 500 m2 apartments, they do not skimp on meters, I imagine perhaps that since they are such a vast country, they have a more spacious vision of spaces. There is a lot of security and controls at the entrance, including facial recognition cameras that we do not see here or document requests. The amenities are not that many and are usually smaller. I almost did not visit properties without churrasqueiras (grills) they are generally within the same living-dining room. The quality of its materials are excellent. They have very good design, interior design and attach great importance to landscaping.
Thank you Lorraine for your time. The next meeting I want you to delve a little more into your foray into the Brazilian market and what can tempt the Argentine who normally does not have Porto Alegre and Rio Grande do Sul on the radar for vacations or a place to invest in Real Estate.
by CEDOC