In a market where construction costs have soared 16% so far this year, an Argentine has brought to the country a model that promises to change the rules of the game. These are concrete houses that assemble like Lego: ready in 10 days and delivered turnkey in six months. The technology, common in Nordic countries, is already being produced at a plant in Cardales and can reduce costs by up to 25% compared to traditional brick construction.
The project is called Aluen, a 100-hectare neighborhood in the Ezeiza-Canning corridor, where US$120 million will be invested. There, 650 houses, eight buildings with 252 apartments, and 120 duplexes will be built. The first homes are already underway and will be delivered in six months. “It’s a Lego: it arrives and snaps together,” summarizes Issel Kiperszmid, CEO and founder of DYPSA Group, the developer behind the venture.
The system combines concrete, steel structure, and sandwich panels with thermal, acoustic, and waterproof insulation. According to Kiperszmid, “we have been working on this project for over two years, which will allow many families to access their home in just six months. We were inspired by the technology of Nordic countries, pioneers in this type of fast, high-quality construction, which was not yet available in Argentina.”
House prices start at US$250,000 and go up to US$380,000, with direct financing of up to 15 years. Units range from 150 to 280 m², with three, four, and five rooms, including land. The company claims that if built using the traditional method, they would have to sell for around US$450,000.
The payment scheme is as follows: 25% upfront, another 25% upon delivery – at six months – and the balance financed in pesos over 15 years, adjusted by the CAC index (Argentine Chamber of Construction). Estimated installments range from $1.5 million to $2 million. A concrete example: a 172 m² model on a 700 m² lot requires a down payment of US$58,000, another payment of US$58,000 at six months, and then semi-annual payments of $1.6 million plus 180 monthly installments of $1.6 million adjustable by CAC.
“The possibility of paying them over up to 15 years allows those who own a property and have the down payment to rent out their apartment or house and use that to pay a substantial part of the installments. It’s a way to capitalize,” says Kiperszmid.
The context is key: bank mortgage credit remains with limited access and rates that leave out a large part of demand. In that void, developers are beginning to take the place of the bank and offer their own plans. “We acted as a value refuge bank. It was a way to save dollars little by little, burning pesos. That no longer applies. We are not aware of the magnitude of the change,” notes Kiperszmid.
In addition to houses, the project offers lots ranging from 600 to 1400 m², from US$48,800 cash, with an average value of US$70/m². For the land, there are three options: 36 installments without surcharge, 100 fixed-dollar installments from US$358 monthly, or 100 installments in pesos adjusted by CAC.
The change in the construction system is accompanied by another definition of the business. “We will no longer be developers of houses and buildings, but of communities,” concludes Kiperszmid. A shift that promises to shake up the Argentine real estate market, where time has become the most important variable and traditional pre-sale no longer works as before.
che ya era hora de que traigan casas de verdad no esas cajitas de carton que venden los kukas 10 dias y listo y en 15 años la tenes los zurdos lloran porque quieren 50 años de planes todo pedido y que el estado les de la casa 58 lucas verdes de anticipo eso es laburo y ahorro no choreo viva la libertad carajo
para mi esto es un choreo de los ricos, un lego para que se hagan casas en 10 dias mientras los laburantes nos rompemos el lomo. encima cuotas en dolares, me parece una estafa. viva la lucha de clases, que se vayan todos a la mierda. abrazo de clase el pity