Lovely old historic riads

Sadly, the majority of the Medina's lovely historic homes, that capture the essence and beauty of riads, have been bought up.

Finding grand private homes now in good condition, with substanial courtyard space, that are worthy of restoration is not altogether easy.

Here are an introductory selection of sample riads that Chic Marrakech are marketing:

This riad has to be one of the most stunning classical riads I know, and also one of the most stable old houses I know too.

It is situated only one street from the main square and almost overlooks the Koutoubia mosque – in the smartest area of the Medina - Laksour.

Interestingly, there is parking right outside the house, which provides the riad real practicality.

The riad is 184m2 and the perfect square shape. Then there is a stunning 10m2 apartment. The total is therefore 194m2.

The condition of the riad is excellent. This importantly means there isn’t any restoration involved. There would only be minor work and this would bring the overall cost right down.

Notably – the entire house has all its original wooden ceilings in prime condition. The doors and woodwork throughout are immaculate and in the apartment the cupola ceiling is exceptional.

The riad is wonderful and generous. It has space for a pool and even boasts an original wood fired hammam.

The price is 2.4m dhs.

This beautiful titled 286m2 riad is in excellent condition. Curiously, it is located in Ben Youssef right next to all the main historic monuments, yet has parking right outside the front door and brilliant access.

The riad is split into two parts and its layout provides so much interesting and unusually generous space. It would convert beautifully into a substanial guest house with plentiful restaurant space.

The price is 3.2m dhs.

This titled restored 380m2 small palace / riad is absolutely stunning in every sense.

Everything has been restored and all the original features are in immaculate condition.

Some of the lovely features in the magnificent courtyard are the mature fruiting trees, the fountain and bhou – both with all their original woodwork.

The riad extraordinarily has direct non-derb car access, it boasts a private gated entrance, separate guardian’s quarters and a private garage.

Its location in Bab Taghazout is absolutely brilliant too.

The price is 4m dhs.

This spacious titled 525m2 riad in the Kasbah uniquely has direct car access and parking outside the front door.

It is well located and accessibile, and offers a beautiful spatial arrangement.

There is a lovely windy entrance that opens out into an inviting large garden / courtyard.

Unusually there is extra width on all the sides of the riad, which provides the space for exceptionally wide and generous rooms.

There might be flexibility with the 5.5m dhs price tag.

This fabulous 360m2 riad right in the heart of Ben Youssef on one of the most attractive and atmospheric derbs in Marrakech is a grand house steeped in history.

It was originally built by a famed Moroccan mathetician, Ibn El Banna.

The house lines each side of the beautifully generous courtyard with unusual and deep rooms.

It also benefits from extra chunks of space, (in addition to the square shape of the house, including a flat, or douriya), that provide it with an extra dimension and real design potential.

There are some lovely notable neighbouring riads.

There might be flexibility with the 3.5m price tag.

NB The house is currently uninhabited and the growth of the tree in the courtyard has gone unchecked. The tree now dominates the courtyard and desperately needs a trim!

This lovely, square substanial structurally sound 400m2 riad and separate flat is situated right in the historic heart of old Marrakech.

All of the original features of the house are intact and there is a lovely flow and configuration to the rooms and courtyard.

The price is 4.5m dhs.

This is grand titled 530m2 structurally sound riad in Sidi Ben Slimane, has two separate entrances, and has two courtyards and three parts to the overall house, which is a generous rectangular shape.

The main part of the house surrounds a large courtyard.

Then there is a smaller house with a secondary courtyard extending on from one side of the main house.

Lastly there is a separate douriya, or flat on the opposite of the main house. This could be opened out to provide fantastically wide rooms on this side of the riad.

Two direct neighbours are nice renovated, foreign owned riads.

The price is 6.5m dhs.

This charming 280m2 well proportioned, square riad with all its original features is in very good condition.

It is situated right in amidst the souks with lots of atmosphere round and about.

It needs little restoration work, only really modernisation, but the trees in the courtyard have too got out of hand and need a hair cut, or replacing, in order to open up the nice, wide generous courtyard.

At present the trees pretty much block out all the natural light.

The price is 2.9m dhs.