A Swedish spa village is up for grabs at $7 million | Dinogo

When life becomes overwhelming, think about how refreshing it would be to start anew.

An exceptional chance has arisen to purchase an entire, fully operational village in Västmanland County, Sweden, just 90 minutes from Stockholm.

Originally established in the 18th century as a health resort, Sätra Brunn stands as a flawless example of traditional Swedish village design, featuring a church, a school, a hotel, and even a spring water bottling plant.

‘Enthusiastic amateurs’

Having served as a spa town for over 320 years, it was acquired by its current owners in the early 1990s.

Jonas Martinsson, overseeing the sale for Christie’s International Real Estate, mentions that this group of 15 local residents were 'enthusiastic amateurs with some education and experience, but not extensive. They wanted to purchase and preserve the village rather than see it divided.'

The group has diligently cared for the 62-acre village, which includes over 70 buildings, for nearly three decades. They’ve also developed a regular calendar of events and celebrations, such as an annual Midsummer festival that draws around 6,000 visitors.

However, now 'they're starting to get older and believe it’s time for someone else to take charge,' according to Martinsson.

‘Take it to the next level’

In addition to the hotel, the former church and the preschool serving 40 local children, there is a conference center, restaurant, and a spa that features a pool, gym, and sauna.

'It’s a highly intricate structure that evolved over the years,' explains Martinsson. 'It’s been centuries in the making, and no one could recreate this type of village in just a few years.'

In addition to the 62 acres of the village itself, the offering includes another 84 acres of wooded land, ready for development.

The current owners 'dedicated countless hours to the village, but what they’ve truly done is preserve the potential for someone else to take it to the next level,' says Martinsson.

Who will step up to the challenge?

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges for property markets worldwide, prompting Christie’s to extend the bidding deadline from May 31, 2020, to a more feasible date of August 16.

There have already been a few bids and considerable interest. Regarding potential buyers, Martinsson notes that they have a few profiles in mind.

The first profile is that of a traditional developer, looking to manage the existing accommodations and businesses, with plans to expand and renovate as needed.

The village currently serves as a summer retreat for Scandinavian tourists and locals. However, given the harsh winters with temperatures dipping as low as -10°C (14°F), some buildings would require insulation to make them suitable for year-round living.

Martinsson explains that Swedish preservation groups may offer subsidies to help restore the historic buildings, and the surrounding forested land provides an opportunity for modern development as well.

Unlock the potential

The property could also attract organizations like yoga retreats and religious groups, according to Martinsson, seeking a tranquil and serene place to host spiritual and educational programs.

Martinsson adds that some countries have government-backed organizations looking for all-inclusive destinations to offer their citizens vacation options abroad. 'They represent the government and seek a European location for national tourism,' he says.

Another potential buyer could be companies involved in medical tourism – the village would serve as an excellent recovery destination for those visiting Sweden for medical treatments.

And finally, there’s the buyer who is captivated by the spring water, much like the village’s founder, Dr. Samuel Scragge, who established the well and the village around it in the 1700s.

It is one of only seven springs in Sweden to receive the highest purity designation, and the bottling operation produces two million bottles annually.

While global property markets and tourism industries face uncertain times ahead, the brave buyer or buyers who take on Sätra Brunn may find the investment rewarding.

Discover more at Christie’s International Real Estate