Rediscover the romance of Bulgarian villages

The tiny village of Gesha is located just two kilometers far from the Dryanovo Monastery and is nestled at the foot of a southern slope in the central parts of Bulgaria, close to former capital of Veliko Tarnovo. The number of locals barely reaches 20, but this will soon change as the largest holiday complex in Bulgaria (besides the holiday projects in densely populated ski and sea resorts) is about to open for visitors and owners this summer.

Gesha View will be entirely completed in the beginning of 2010
This development is the result of a unique concept of the companies investing in it – the Bulgarian- English company SimpliBulgaria, represented by Yulian Georgiev, David Hollands and Sheffield-based SimpliBulgaria villages. The investors saw the romanticism of the Bulgarian villages and created a place that combines traditional architecture to modern lifestyle offering stunning views. The concept for this project has changed with time. Initially intended to be a second-home complex, Gesha View was broadly targeting foreign buyers who would spend their holidays here and boost tourism in this lovely central region of the outskirts of the Stara Planina Mountain.
"Taking EU market analyses, we have further developed our concept so, today, Gesha View is a completely new product which is still focusing on family holidays, yet it offers tranquility in a protected natural environment. Gesha View can attend to the needs of those, who look for a place to live and raise their children in a well-protected environment," says Yulian Georgiev, managing partner at SimpliBulgaria. He commented that this project will also stimulate the development of congress tourism.

Each of the houses has been specifically designed and successfully integrated meeting the principles of investors. The eco-village is developed by a team managed by Arch. Nikolay Malakov. The architecture of the complex is actually a mixture of past and present and is quite typical of the region. It also provides future inhabitants with the opportunity of living a modern life, harmoniously integrated in the past. The architects have used a variety of techniques so that to achieve economy and efficiency.
Eng. Ivan Ivanov, manager of Prima Build, the construction company working on this project, explained that he was particularly impressed by SimpliBulgaria’s desire to preserve the nature on this site. He is really excited about the changes made – in the course of time the number of houses (seven) has been reduced to six while design has also been altered in order to save a tree for example. He respects the investors for their love of the project: "I have seen them spend hours looking at a detail before making a final decision."

In the very beginning, a 150-year-old house, situated at the end of the village, was restored. It was then called a "gate" and is now representing Gesha View.  
Architectural design works on the complex started in 2005 when the eco-village won the Bentley International Property Awards for the best project. In 2006, Gesha View wins the award again.
Construction works started on January 17, 2006. There have been 18,500 sq m developed and BGN 15.9 million invested since. Seventy-four stand-alone residences have been developed as well as a residential and retail building to house 40 apartments, 24 retail units, a medical center, a kindergarten, a bakery, restaurants, cafes, an information center, bank office etc.
The last development stage that was given start on January 16, 2009, will see the construction of 42 stand-alone residences. Every single unit will feature high-tech low-energy air conditioning systems, panoramic terraces and hot therapeutic bathtubs.
The total built-up area at this stage is estimated at 4,914 sq m and investment mounts to BGN 3.6 million. The development of the last stage and the project’s infrastructure will see total investments exceed BGN 20 million.
The largest house within Gesha View is made up of 380 sq m and features three levels, while the smallest one is of 120 sq m comprised of two floors. Completed properties vary in price between 850 and 1,150 euro per sq m. Among a number of non –residents (most of them English) who have purchased property here, we find one Bulgarian. He has bought one of the largest houses paying € 400,000. Other property owners come from Italy, the Netherlands and the Republic of South Africa.  

Read more:
Yulian Georgiev, managing partner at SimpliBulgaria: We are yet to do the most difficult thing - bring life to the project