DOM3 arranca la temporada: la vivienda de alta calidad se consolida como principal motor económico de la Costa del Sol

DOM3, the association of entrepreneurs for high-quality housing in the Golden Triangle (Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís), has held its General Assembly of Members, marking the start of the new season. The meeting highlighted that the high-end housing sector has become one of the main industries on the Costa del Sol, thanks to its capacity to attract international investment, create jobs and drive the local economy. The event featured interventions from Marbella’s Councillor for Urban Planning, José Eduardo Díaz, and San Telmo Business School professor, Eduardo Olaya.

The Councillor for Urban Planning, José Eduardo Díaz, with DOM3 President, Charly Simon.

As part of the assembly, six new companies were also welcomed as members: Tecnoclima, Rugue, Soma Arquitectos, TINO Stone & Surfaces, Drumelia and Muñoz Lanzas Construcciones, all of whom have committed to sharing experiences and knowledge with the rest of the collective.

DOM3 President, Charly Simon, emphasised the growth and consolidation of the association as a business benchmark on the Costa del Sol. “Achieving this level of brand, this level of commitment and this level of excellence for an association in a city like Marbella is extraordinary. Today DOM3 is a powerful force, bringing together the finest real estate professionals, builders, architects and engineers. We have proven our ability to drive real change and generate collaborations and projects of immense value,” he noted.

The Councillor for Urban Planning began his speech by highlighting the economic impact and job creation provided by the high-end housing sector in Marbella and across the Costa del Sol, generating over 2,500 direct jobs and around 5,500 indirect jobs. He stressed that this activity “is essential to sustain the city’s service levels” and warned that, as in other successful tourist destinations, it is vital to accompany growth with planning, infrastructure and balancing measures that allow the municipality to remain competitive.

Licences and investment

Díaz went on to explain that Marbella is working to have its new General Municipal Development Plan (PGOM) ready before the end of the current legislature. The aim is to strengthen legal certainty and speed up urban planning procedures. He underlined that Marbella is already the first major municipality in Andalusia to have certifying companies to verify project documentation, which helps shorten processing times.

“The goal is for Marbella not to miss opportunities due to administrative procedures. With certifiers, licences are granted faster and with full guarantees. This means more investment, more jobs and greater competitiveness for our destination,” Díaz stated.

The Councillor also pointed out that planning licences have increased by between 15% and 30% in the first half of 2025, with major projects including several hotels and residential developments. The economic volume of the latest licences granted has exceeded €350 million, a figure that reflects the city’s strength as a magnet for major international brands.

“We are talking about an investment volume with enormous impact in Marbella, with first-class hotel and residential projects consolidating the city as a benchmark destination in Europe,” the councillor affirmed.

Affordable housing

One of the most relevant points of the meeting was the focus on affordable housing, a concern shared by both the administration and DOM3. The Town Hall is planning new neighbourhoods in the northern area and in San Pedro Alcántara, with the aim of delivering between 1,000 and 1,100 subsidised homes during this legislature, compared with a real demand of over 2,000 families registered with the municipal register.

“Marbella’s success cannot be sustained without addressing access to housing. Our goal is to create liveable neighbourhoods, with services and local shops, where families can thrive without needing to travel,” said Díaz.

In this regard, DOM3 reiterated that access to housing is also a priority for the business community and an essential complement to its development and growth. “Affordable housing is a city issue that we share as a priority. A balanced residential environment is essential to retain talent, sustain services and consolidate a competitive destination,” said Charly Simon.

The professor Eduardo Olaya during his lecture.

Family business

The event concluded with a lecture by Professor Eduardo Olaya, from San Telmo Business School, who shared the keys to consolidating the role of family businesses in the economy. He emphasised the importance of separating assets into three areas (family, business and investments), professionalising management bodies and setting clear merit-based criteria for family members joining the management team.

“Excellence in family business is built through good governance and professionalised processes. A surname does not replace merit, and that is the foundation to guarantee continuity and competitiveness,” explained Olaya.

Upcoming events

DOM3 has already announced its programme of activities for the coming months. The next event will take place on 18 November and will feature a lecture by Laia Grassi, an international creative and expert in artificial intelligence applied to communication and design.

This season has also seen top-level speakers including José María Álvarez-Pallete, former Chairman of Telefónica, Daniela Luque, global LinkedIn Top Voice, and Maribel García, a mentor in human leadership.