Top Canarias, the magazine of one of the two most important newspapers of Gran Canaria “La Provincia” published an article about Cardenas Real Estate talking about their 30 years history from 1980-2010.

Read here the translation into English:

When Cárdenas Real Estate was established 30 years ago, its founder   Antonio G. de Cárdenas, was a well-known person in Arguineguín-Mogán. His flawless previous professional career, his and Rolande’s  (his wife and an official translator) knowledge of foreign languages – both had lived and worked for some years abroad – earned him an excellent reputation especially amongst the non-resident Real Estate owners in the southwest of the island. They not only turned to him to buy and sell properties, but   recommended him as well to their friends and acquaintances.

Both founders remember how often new clients reported having been told by a friend: “if you buy something in Gran Canaria, go to Cárdenas only, to nobody else”. At a time when many foreigners, who had bought their property years ago through different agents, were still waiting for their inscription in the Land Register, the name Cárdenas meant the guarantee that far from limiting its task to the mediation between seller and buyer, it would take care as well of paying the taxes and of all the paperwork until the property was registered.

Thus Cárdenas started its career hardly needing any other advertising than the clients’ word of mouth recommendations. New methods were introduced when the founders’ daughter Carolina joined the company (1996) after completing her European Business Studies in Germany and Madrid with a dissertation on the Internet in the Real Estate sector, at a time when Internet was hardly known in the Canaries. Cárdenas was doubtless one of the first Real Estate Agents with  its own website. It was much applauded from the beginning and greatly improved when Ramón Sánchez Bruhn joined the company (2001) as Marketing and IT Director.  Nowadays the website gets every year more than 180.000 visitors. Cardenas naturally takes part in the social community on the Net (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Flickr, etc.)

In 1997 Cárdenas acquired their superbly located head office in Arguineguín and its Mogán and Puerto Rico branches were opened 2000.  The staff was increased up to the present 14 members of a team that is second to none as for professionalism, linguistic competency and loyalty.

The founders of the company gradually stood aside and passed on the torch to their children: Carolina as Managing & Commercial Director) and Daniel (LLB with a postgraduate course in Tax Law) as Director of the Legal and Tax Department. .

Notwithstanding the growth of the company, the constant adaptation to the new technologies and the exemplary taking over by a second generation, Cárdenas Real Estate has remained faithful to the principles that inspired their first steps: to give their clients a professional, comprehensive and honest service and to mediate impartially and fairly between the selling and the buying parties.  The company still sets great value  - as the very first day – upon client testimonials, such as this one (April 2009), amongst hundreds received and published on  the web: “We are absolutely delighted with the attention and dedication the whole staff of Cárdenas Real Estate gave us. It was a real surprise to find truly professional people because there are not many nowadays.  We congratulate you for your services and will not hesitate to recommend you to our friends.”

Over the years of remaining day after day faithful to the company’s philosophy, Cárdenas Real Estate has achieved – in spite of several crisis that affected the sector in those years – a leading market position in the south of the island. They have received the “Best Property Agent Award” 2006-2010, granted by Europe’s leading property magazine BELLEVUE.  Cárdenas Real Estate thank their clients for their confidence during those 30 years.

Five different venues across the city will host small independent films competing for awards, and most important, prestige among the film community. The whole event will give Gran Canaria a huge boost with hotels, restaurants and clubs all enjoying a knock on benefit.

All this will help to promote the charms and attractions of Gran Canaria, it already attracts visitors and home investors from many countries.

By Cardenas News

On Wednesday 10/02/2010, the Mayor of Mogan, Francisco González, presided a ceremony in Puerto de Mogan naming a square in honor of the late Rafael Neville Rubio – Argüelles, V Conde de Berlanga de Duero. The event was also attended by Nevilles nephew and niece Edgar and Mary Neville, Paolo Riccardi, representative of “Venice of the Canaries” and Ara Santiago, Managing Director of Puerto Mogan.

Rafael Neville was born in Málaga in 1926 and died in his beloved Sardinia in 1996, he was the soul and promoter of what is now Puerto de Mogan, a project conducted between 1983 and 1988 with the intention of creating the best and most beautiful urbanization of the Islands. The particular and unique design of the buildings, known as the Venice of the Canaries, have made this area one of the most charming tourist attractions and most visited of the Canary Islands.
Artist, developer, designer of natural areas and with a very active social live in the Costa del Sol, Rafael Neville designed and built with Paolo Riccardi the famous Porto Rafael on the Italian island of Sardinia before moving up to Mogán in the mid 60´s.

During his time in Puerto de Mogan, this area became the usual place of VIPs visiting the European social landscape of Gran Canaria. Puerto Mogan, was for many years the meeting place of the “jet set” of the time.

Francisco Gonzalez, Mayor of Mogán: The legacy Rafael left us remains very much alive in Puerto de Mogán, an enormously attractive place and a real gem of the Canaries which we all feel truly proud of!

By Theresa Bona (photo by Townhall of Mogán, from left to right: Edgar + Maria , nephews of Rafael Neville, Francisco Gonzalez, Santiago Ara and Paolo Riccardi)

Get known Puerto de Mogán

Whilst the largest and most spectacular events take place in Las Palmas between the 29th of January and the 20^th of February the small towns also like to celebrate in style.  Arguineguin is celebrating Carnival on the 26^th, 27^th and the 28^th of February, ours is a mini Carnival without the extravagance, large crowds and duration of Las Palmas but without a doubt a very enjoyable and lively atmosphere is to be found.

Events include the election of the Carnival Queen usually held on the Friday but the most popular and fun event is the Carnival parade (known locally as the “cabalgata”) which is held on Saturday evening.  Everybody is welcome to join in as they wish but the parade consists of people of all ages and nationalities in fancy dress costumes of all imaginable humorous styles and numerous colourfully decorated floats.  The parade starts at one end of the village and ends at the market square and all the participants are found dancing on the floats or walking and dancing to the party music while animating the watching crowds.

Once the “Cabalgata” ends the “mogollon” (Carnival mass) begins in the market square where you will find music, live events, fair rides for the kids and catering stands with seating areas serving drinks and food.

Finally for those who still have some energy left and do not have sensitive hearing the final stop is around the corner where the loud music and dancing continues until the sun comes up!

Carnival is one of the main highlights of the year for the locals and will surly be great fun for the visitors to our island who unexpectedly find themselves joining in.

If you happen to be around try spotting some of our team who are faithful followers of this event!

By Lucy Evans (in the foto from left to right, Lonnie, Leonor and Lucy, from Cardenas)

Spain and its wonderfully sunny islands like Gran Canaria, are emerging as better value than ever, pushing holiday high fliers like Turkey, down the pecking order. The British Post Office Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer has shown a 44% rise in Turkey for meals, drinks and other holiday items. Spain, in contrast, is now the cheapest Eurozone destination, with a 30% fall in the cost of similar holiday items since last year.

That’s nice to know, but behind the figures, is an even more important message, the all year round sun and high temperatures make sure that Gran Canaria is still one of the most popular places for British holiday makers to visit and to live.

The south coast of Gran Canaria offers fantastic beaches that never go out of style, and with good transport, schools and shops, it’s sure to continue to put other holiday spots in the shade.

By Cardenas News

Photo by Oliver Bossecker, taken from Cardenas Facebook

At the front of the field the serious runners showed most people a clean pair of heels, but many just wanted to enjoy the day and the exercise. President Paulino Rivero finished in a very creditable 2 hours 14 minutes and 23 seconds, earning 787 th place on the course. The winner was African runner James Kutokirkogey, but everyone who took part can consider themselves winners.

It wasn’t all hard pavement pounding, on the day before the big race there was a half marathon for the juniors and even a large pasta party, good fuel for all the competitors.

By Cardenas News

Enjoy the it!

Lidl, the German discount supermarket, is going to open in the first 6 months of 2010 4 establishments in Gran Canaria: Telde, Arinaga, Carrizal and Vecindario.

This will for sure contribute to make prices for supermarket products more attractive.

By Cárdenas News

Snow may look nice on photos, and even be fun to play in for a few days, but the UK is in the icy grip of sub zero temperatures that are disrupting everyone’s lives. Gran Canaria with its golden sandy beaches and 20 degrees plus of sunshine has never looked so tempting.

Full marks to Thomas Cook for offering special low price flight deals from 51.99 pounds, during February, March and April. The UK cold snap looks like hanging around for a few weeks, so getting away makes good financial sense, saving on all that extra heating to keep the snow at bay.

The southern hot spots of Mogan, Maspalomas and Puerto Rico have great facilities, sensibly priced bars and restaurants, and glorious beaches to soak up some much needed sun. Winter takes on a whole new meaning in Gran Canaria and the people of the island always offer a warm welcome. Go on put away that snow shovel and head to the airport, the sun is waiting for you.

By Cardenas News

More than 40 million people world wide have seen already the famous musical Mamma Mia with the best ABBA Hits.

Now and until the 29th of January you have the chance to see this Musical in the theatre Pérez Galdos in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Entry tickets can be bought at the theatre or via La Caja de Canarias in one of their branches or via Internet at cajatique.com

By Cárdenas News