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Real Estate News European influence and luxury: where are the most expensive properties in Buenos Aires and how much does it cost to live there? - Infobae

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European influence and luxury: where are the most expensive properties in Buenos Aires and how much does it cost to live there? - Infobae
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April 04, 2025

Located near Las Cañitas, between Palermo and near Belgrano, they offer spacious homes with more than four rooms and garages. Why they're top-rated







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Malaysia Passage with different styles of houses and designs with European styles such as colonial, Italianate, Tudor or French



In the north of Buenos Aires, the Volta and Malaysia neighborhoods are positioned as some of the most exclusive and ultra-premium residential areas in terms of home prices for sale and rent. Both are located near the Abbey of San Benito and combine historic features, European-inspired architecture, and a low-density urban environment that maintains their distinctiveness.



Located in an area that connects Palermo with Belgrano, near Las Cañitas, these alleys contain homes with features that are unusual in the Buenos Aires market. These are large houses (usually more than four rooms), spread over several floors, with terraces, gardens, garages, and even a pool, located in areas protected for their heritage and urban development value.



Martín Pinus , owner of Martín Pinus Real Estate, highlights the unique profile of some of the neighborhoods within the city's real estate offering. "In Palermo, near the Abbey, there are two emblematic neighborhoods, very close to each other. Volta, between Avenida Luis María Campos and Arce, is part of the Special Architecture Districts and preserves original buildings of heritage value. Malaysia, between Maure and Gorostiaga, has been classified as a Historic Protection Area and is considered the most European neighborhood in Buenos Aires," he indicated.



The homes are distinguished by their diverse architectural styles, with French, German, Tudor, Renaissance, and Italian mansions, some renovated with modern materials without altering their original facades.

In Volta Passage, for example, houses with Italian, modernist, and English features coexist with more recent low-rise developments. “We have a Tudor-style house that has been completely renovated inside, maintaining its original facade but has been adapted to meet modern needs,” Pinus commented.



One of the main differences compared to other high-end residential areas lies in the identity that these spaces retain.

"They represent irregular layouts in a city of square blocks and preserve the urban memory of more than a century. At the same time, they offer a residential lifestyle, but with immediate access to main avenues like Luis María Campos, Libertador, and Cabildo," Pinus explained.

Valuations

Prices reflect this combination of location, history, architectural quality, and limited availability. On average, the purchase price of a home in these neighborhoods starts at USD 4,000 per square meter, although the final price depends on multiple factors: square footage, quality of finishes, presence of a garden, overall condition, views, and other attributes.

"Transactions are carried out in dribs and drabs. Demand is high, but supply is very limited, and those who buy are unlikely to resell," says Pinus.







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Volta Passage, stately, between Arce and Luis María Campos Avenue



There, homes of more than 100 square meters for sale exceed USD 350,000, and as in the rest of the city, the dollar value appreciated by nearly 10% year-over-year .

As for rentals, prices are also high. Modern homes can cost over USD 5,000 per month. Prices vary depending on the square footage, interior design, amenities such as a pool or barbecue area, green views, a garage, and the quality of the materials.





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There are few high-rise buildings in the area.



"Tenants seeking these properties value privacy, tranquility, and the opportunity to live in a historic home without having to leave the city center. They are people who prioritize quality of life without sacrificing services or connectivity," he notes.

The alleys have become established as exclusive housing hubs for multiple reasons. First, they are established areas with a neighborhood identity and a safe environment, often linked to their proximity to embassies.

They also offer a quiet, wooded environment, close to green spaces, and access to premium services such as restaurants, schools, and designer shops.







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Houses over 100 years old but renovated with all the modern luxury and comfort (Photo courtesy of Martín Pinus Real Estate)



“The tranquility of these urban oases, along with their architectural aesthetic, makes them unique. Those who live in Malaysia or Volta enjoy almost traffic-free streets, historic facades, mature trees, and the feeling of a city frozen in time, without losing connectivity with the rest of Buenos Aires,” Pinus explained.

These conditions directly impact land values and the sustained appreciation of properties. The heritage status and regulations limiting demolition or the construction of high-rise buildings preserve the original appearance.

This strengthens the perception of exclusivity and gives the homes an added value that is difficult to find in other areas of the city.







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An area that refers directly to Europe, but in Buenos Aires



Pinus explained: “Each house is unique. Many have been renovated to incorporate modern technologies or improve energy efficiency, but without altering their original structure. These properties combine the classic with the contemporary, and in some cases, allow their owners to live as if they were in another city in the world.”





Ideal passages for photographs

According to Pablo Bredossian , a writer and scholar of neighborhood heritage, the houses on the even side of the hill contain several examples of Arequipa Baroque, Florentine, and Tudor styles. He highlights buildings such as Malaysia 854, by Estanislao Pirovano, and Malaysia 888/894, both listed for their formal and cultural value.







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The Abbey of San Benito is the star of this high-end area of Buenos Aires.



"On this block, which still has cobblestones and manicured gardens, the houses offer urban postcards reminiscent of other cities around the world," he noted.

Although the current passageway was named in 1995, for decades it was known as Arribeños or simply "Cañita." Local history includes anecdotes from diplomats, movie scenes, and oral histories that reinforce its mysterious character. Barely 100 meters long, it has become one of the most photographed—and quietest—corners in Buenos Aires.

According to Bedrossian, Pasaje Malaya, next to Arroyo (Retiro), Avenida Melián (Belgrano R) and Juez Tedín (Barrio Parque or Palermo Chico), is one of the most refined streets in Buenos Aires, but, “at the same time, one of the most peaceful; far from the urban vortex, it exudes the scent of the neighborhood provided by the cobblestones, the gardens and the vines that adorn some of its homes.”







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Spacious, bright houses with generous circulation



The Volta Passage connects Luis María Campos and Arce avenues with a length of just one block. Its name pays homage to the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta ( inventor of the battery and who forever revolutionized the use of electricity ), and its urban profile is distinguished by the low English, Italian, and Art Nouveau-style houses that survive among more recent constructions. The writer María Elena Walsh lived part of her childhood in one of these houses, with a Tudor influence and an original facade.

The passageway is part of the city's "Special Architecture Districts," a category that seeks to preserve its heritage value and architectural identity.







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The Volta Passage has been protected as a heritage site by the Buenos Aires Government since 2017.



To this end, specific rules were established: buildings cannot exceed 7 meters in height above the construction line, sidewalks must remain intact, and facades must retain their original harmony and color palette. All of this is aimed at protecting one of the most distinctive corners of Buenos Aires.


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