Early History

Adnan Mohamed Khashoggi, born 25th of July 1935, bought La Zagaleta, at the time called La Baraka (Happiness?) in 1973. He started looking for a villa in Marbella and flew over the area with his private jet a DC-8 accompanied by the Prince of Saudi Arabia now King Fahd, that in 1981 constructed Casa Blanca (a copy of the White House in Washington) on the Golden Mile. The vendor of La Baraka (La Zagaleta) was a Frenchman called Henri Roussel and he was in the pharmaceutical industry. Today’s clubhouse was at the time decorated with 10 bathroom all of them with different types of marble and golden water taps. On the area, little more than 900 hectares, were found moufflons, wild boar, red deer, deer and around 7000 pheasants. It was used as hunting grounds during this period. There was also a stable with Arabic horses.

La Zagaleta (La Baraka) became the most loved place of all his homes around the world. He hosted during the years several magnificent parties. In 1985 ,prior his 50th birthday, the clubhouse was extended into todays size. There was added a pavilion where he could host between 600-800 guests at the time. On his birthday he invited 400 guests that arrived days before the 24th of July. All hotels in Marbella were fully booked with celebrities. Prior his birthday, Khashoggi brought over 200 wild animals from Africa. His 282-foot yacht Nabila, named after his daughter, had a prime spot in Puerto Banus harbour. During his numerous parties, his pilots flew guests in Helicopter from Nabila up to La Zagaleta.

On his 50th birthday, “La Baraka” was guarded by 100 security guards deployed around the area. Khashoggi stood at the entrance of the clubhouse welcoming the guests with his new wife Lamia from Italy. His first wife Sandra and his 5 children were also present. Around 50 dressed up pages ( young royal butlers) greeted the guests welcome and gave them a Cartier watch as a welcome present. They were later served a buffet with 50 different dishes with a mix of Arabic and Western food. During the dinner Shirley Bassey performed “ He is a jolly good fellow” and 5.000 balloons dropped from the ceiling for the guests to kick apart. The birthday cake, carried by 4 servers was crowned by Ludwig XIV crown in sugar designed by the famous confectioner Rene Neou from France. The birthday party ended around 9 in the morning when the guests were served a pasta dish for breakfast. For 14 more days the party continued either at La Zagaleta or Nabila.

Recent history

In 1990 a group of investors headed by Enrique Perez Flores purchased a property comprised of nearly 900 hectares in Benahavis known as La Baraka. The newly formed company would be called La Zagaleta SA. Mr Perez vision was to erect a private estate that would live in complete harmony with nature at foothills of the Ronda mountains. 420 homes embedded among fir and centaury oak trees and backed by top notch facilities like an equestrian centre, golf courses and a helipad for private arrivals.

In 1992, construction of the first golf course begins, and the first roads and homes are inaugurated. 2 years later the sporting association Club de Campo La Zagaleta is created, and the golf course, designed by Bradford Benz, is opened.

Today La Zagaleta offers around 300 homes reserved as the best in quality and design, ranging in size from 3.000 to 10.000 square meters, with the spectacular Serrania de Ronda as the backdrop. The development will enclose a total of 420 luxury homes when completed.

Homeowners at La Zagaleta include international executives of leading corporations all over the world. La Zagaleta is one of Europe’s  most exclusive and  luxury estate with complete privacy and discretion.

For additional information please contact us at anders@riseestatemarbella.com