08 For connoisseurs of the good things in life...
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A story of effort and success Dear Reader,
José Ribes Bas
EREN Director
If you are a regular reader of our magazine you will know that we like to close it off with a quote. In the previous edition we drew inspiration from Marva Collins, an American educator who for over three decades led the innovative Westside Preparatory School of Chicago. The phrase we borrowed from her was: “Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it.” We choose our closing quotes judiciously, taking care to pick those that inspire us and whose sentiments and values we share in our daily work and personal lives, and we believe the one above will very likely also resonate with the professional experiences of many of our readers. We have found ourselves inspired not just by the words of people like Marva Collins, but also by their actions, and it is this dedication to perfection that we also commit to our business, the standard of the properties we offer and our dealings with our clients. The same philosophy is reflected within Villae International magazine, both in its contents and presentation. In the current edition we highlight a selection of companies that are examples of effort and success, firms such Porcelanosa, Inditex, Tramontana and others. On this occasion they are Spanish export brands that base their ability to capture global markets upon a combination of innovative business strategies and dedication to research and technological advancement, but also traditional values of craftsmanship and the creation of items of beauty and luxury. Behind all of this, however, is a dogged determination to succeed. The fact that talent, drive and the mastery of one’s crafts can lead to great things is also visible in our feature on some of the finest dining destinations in Europe. We focus on three leading chefs (Martín Berasategui, Jean-Cristophe Ansanay-Alex and Rolf Fliegauf), each of whom has created a culinary oasis in which the setting adds to an unforgettable experience for lovers of the high art of gastronomy. It is a fitting prelude to the mouth-watering menu of beautiful properties to be found on our real estate pages. We would also like to take this opportunity to give our warmest welcome in EREN to a German company that bears all the attributes of ethics, professionalism, quality in product and in service, as well as a proven reputation, which we hold dear in our Network. We are therefore very pleased to welcome Berlin Capital Investments and its managing director Herr Thomas Zabel to our midst. Welcome! To close this edition of Villae International we would like to highlight “There’s no ceiling on effort”, a sentence attributed to Harvey C. Fruehauf, which we believe reflects the work that has gone into producing the results described in our Success Stories section at the end of this magazine. Enjoy reading
José Ribes Bas Publisher
www.europeanrealestate.org VILLÆ 3
INTERNATIONAL
08
VILLÆ INTERNATIONAL is a publication of:
European Real Estate Network, Ltd., 33, St. James’s Square, London SW1Y 4JS. T. +44 0203 178 6154 F. +44 0203 178 6155 www.europeanrealestate.org info@europeanrealestate.org EREN Board of Directors Ueli Schnorf Giancarlo Bracco José Ribes Bas bod@europeanrealestate.org Original Concept by Benedetta Viganò, Diana Morales & José Ribes Bas Editor and writer Michel Cruz MANIFESTO DESIGN s.l., Marbella info@manifestodesign.com (+34) 952 880 923 Art director and Design Modesto Granados ESTUDIO MODESTO, Valencia modesto@estudiomodesto.com (+34) 667 208 071 Photo credits Thomas Dressler, Shutterstock Advertising ads@europeanrealestate.org Publisher José Ribes Bas Printing and distribution controlled by PGD D.L.: V-757-2006
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ON THE COVER Pevero Bay view, Costa Smeralda, Sardinia (Italy). In the heart of the Costa Smeralda, a few minutes from Porto Cervo, Pevero Bay is one of the most attractive and sought after locations in Sardinia. It gives its name to the renowned Golf Club, Pevero Golf – Costa Smeralda, which extends from the Gulf of Pevero to the bay of Cala di Volpe and is recognised as ranking among the most important golf courses in the Mediterranean. Here, in the most enchanting locations of the Costa Smeralda, Romazzino, Pevero Bay, Cala di Volpe, Immobilsarda offers villas and estates of great charm featuring a strong traditional architecture, stunning sea views and all developed in complete harmony with the natural surroundings.
CONTENTS 06
24 06 EARTH’S MOON LANDSCAPES The surreal beauty of wastelands captured
16 EREN MEET IN VIENNA The Annual General Meeting in classical surroundings 18 F1 PASSION A seduction of speed and glamour 24 HEAVENLY FOOD Three stellar culinary destinations 32 MADE IN SPAIN The resurgence of exporting excellence 38 THE RISE OF THE BRANDED VENUE When great design alone is not enough 50 HELVETICA The font that changed a world of letters 54 TOP SPOTS Fantastic places, fantastic experiences 63 PROPERTY SECTION Luxury homes selection 88 SUCCESSFUL INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION The fruits of working together
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Full moon at dawn over the Panamint Range, with the badlands of Gower Gulch in the foreground and the Manly Beacon crag on the right. Death Valley, California. VILLÆ 6
MOON
The earth’s so-called wastelands are made up of large expanses of desert, tundra and rocky mountain terrains where, of little interest to humans, the scenery remains one still largely isolated and pristine. It is here that you will find ‘moon landscapes’ on earth. Beautiful and fascinating in their austere purity, places like Death Valley, California, and the deserts of Namibia share a richness of textures, forms, shadows and light that baffle the eye and engage the mind. When here, it is a different, primal earth we stand on, worlds away from our modern human lives – an environment that continues to be shaped by the sands of time as it has been since the very earliest beginnings. VILLÆ 7
Salt crusts of the Badwater Basin flats, which form the lowest point in North America at 86m below sea level.
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Tracks created by the mysterious moving rocks at the Racetrack. The Racetrack is a dry lake bed - a so-called playa - in the remote northern Death Valley.
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Hot-air balloon above a small group of linear dunes at the edge of the Namib Desert. Namib-Skeleton Coast National Park, Namibia.
The balloon ground crew tries to follow the flight direction of the hot-air balloon, crossing a sandy plain at the edge of the Namib Desert in the Namib Rand Nature Reserve. The socalled ‘Fairy Circles’ are circular patches without any vegetation, which according to recent scientific studies are caused by the Harvester Termite (Microhodotermes viator).
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Dune grass (Stipagrostis sp.) on a sand dune in the Namib Desert. Photographed from a hot-air balloon.
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Aerial view of ‘Fairy Circles’ in March during the rainy season. Namib Desert. VILLÆ 12
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Exploring the world through a lens Driven by the true nature photographer’s desire to explore the wonders of our natural world, Thomas Dressler has travelled widely and visited some of the most remote parts of the world. It is a drive that won’t go away, won’t be denied, and has led to him to find and capture the amazing richness of textures, light and colour that lie hidden in forgotten corners of the Sahara, Namib, Kalahari and Death Valley deserts. It is the purity of these environments, largely untouched by mankind that draws his lens back time and again.
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Detail of the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes on a windy evening in the Death Valley. VILLÆ 15
By Michel Cruz
EREN members get inspired in Vienna “We share with each other what works and what doesn’t in terms of effective marketing, as well as feedback about what is important to our clients and how we can provide the best and most effective service,” José Ribes Bas. CEO of Rimontgó and member of the EREN board of directors.
On September 20th and 21st Vienna was the setting for the Annual General Meeting of EREN members. Local representatives and longstanding luxury real estate experts Marschall Immobilien hosted the event with consummate style and grace, creating an environment that was both congenial and inspiring. The Annual General Meeting of EREN is one of the main events during the year that provides an opportunity for members to meet and catch up in person, exchange information and take important decisions with regard to the organisation and its joint marketing initiatives. Time is therefore set aside for a general meeting of members and a special session during which executive members table and adopt proposals that will come into effect in the following months. In addition to such internal matters, however, the Annual General Meeting also plays an important role in providing one another with first-hand insights into regional and national markets across Europe and indeed beyond. In this way economic, market and product knowledge are shared, as well as important information regarding new trends and marketing tools. “We share with each other what works and what doesn’t in terms of effective marketing, as well as feedback about what is important to our clients and how we can provide the best and most effective service,” said José Ribes Bas, CEO of Rimontgó and member of the EREN board of directors.
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One of the most important of the sessions held during the two-day event was a presentation by Ignacio Artagoitia, IT Manager at Rimontgó and resident online marketing expert within EREN. In his presentation Ignacio highlighted the importance of having an attractive multilingual website that offers clear and easy to find information, and also the need to support it with a strong social media presence and regularly updated blogs. The latter needs to be relevant, informative and also authoritative, so that it becomes a reference point people use as a factual source, but it should also be fun, entertaining and visually appealing, so that it’s a pleasure to use. These and other industry-related trends were discussed in Vienna, with most members reporting good progress in their marketing initiatives and a demand in their home markets that ranged from reasonably strong to buoyant. The latter is particularly the case in such popular high-end markets as Ticino and Paris, but also in Vienna, which has in recent years consolidated its role as the gateway to trade and investment between Western and Eastern Europe. A Viennese backdrop The delegates met in the splendid historic centre of Vienna, where it was evident that this beautiful city is in boisterous health. They were treated to classic Viennese hospitality, taking in some of the many beautiful sights in the process and becoming suitably impressed with this grand capital in the heart of Europe. Indeed, the friendly efficiency, professionalism, educational and linguistic skills of Vienna, along with its investment-friendly and transparent business environment amount to a success story that is a particularly inspiring example in today’s Europe. Hand-picked to be the official representatives for the Goldenes Quartier – one of the finest and most important residential developments in the city to date – the EREN delegation attended a presentation at the offices of Signa Development, followed by a private inspection of the landmark project itself, which is featured in the inside front cover of this magazine. A productive and inspiring gathering in Vienna was concluded in style by host Peter Marschall with a visit to Plachutta, a traditional Viennese restaurant. “We hope our guests and colleagues enjoyed a pleasant and fruitful stay in Vienna,” said Peter Marschall,“ and we look forward to meeting up and further developing our important collaboration at the 2013 EREN Annual General Meeting at the Lago di Como in September.”
www.europeanrealestate.org VILLÆ 17
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The cocktail of cars, speed and competition has always been intoxicating, making exotic racing cars the chariots of our times and their drivers heroes of an almost classical kind. Since its glamorous early days, Formula One has become a global phenomenon that has produced a pantheon of legends and enthrals millions around the world. Up close it is a seductive world of power, personalities and the exhilaration of taking the rev counter to the limit. Walk around the pit box of a racing circuit and it hits you immediately: an atmosphere rich in the sounds, smells and some would say, testosterone, of motor racing. To the uninitiated the eardrum-shattering roar of the cars appears more like the high whining pitch of motorbikes, but then again, these engines glow red-hot at RPM levels totally alien to a conventional motorcar. The driving experience is almost as alien, save to the adolescent male of the species who in his youthful folly feels compelled to emulate his heroes on streets and roads not suited to it. Not so on the modern track, where the seamless transition from smooth track to equally smooth grass ends not against a rock, tree or wall, but on barriers made to absorb impact – and save lives.
By Michel Cruz
It is a world of oily scents, organised chaos and a glamour that will not be denied, where those with a burning desire to defy the laws of motion and G-force come to do battle. VILLÆ 19
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The birth of Formula One When racing returned after the war it rebuilt itself upon those traditions. This early period was embodied by the Argentinean Juan Manuel Fangio, who in his silver Mercedes and red Maseratis was not only the first, but one of the greatest legends produced by Formula One. The 1950s were also the era of Stirling Moss and a certain Alberto Ascari, whose titles helped to establish the fame and allure of the Scuderia Ferrari. No sooner had this most classic of F1 teams established itself than a new breed of driver and team took sway, led by the likes of Graham Hill, Jim Clark and Jack Brabham. Along with John Surtees, Dennis Hulme, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Jackie Ickx and Jackie Stewart they personified the suave playboy driver backed by a team of enthusiastic garagiste pioneers. With colourful characters such as James Hunt, Emmerson Fittipaldi, Clay Regazzoni, Jacques Lafitte, Gilles Villeneuve and Nelson Picquet the sport maintained its glamorous reputation, yet meanwhile it had also become increasingly commercial – and dangerous.
Racing ‘horseless carriages’ The motorcar was still a rather novel invention when the first daredevils took to racing it. They risked their lives in early vehicles that were little more than prototypes and on surfaces not made for comfortable travelling, let alone racing, but as soon as it was born the car seems to have been inextricably linked to man’s desire for speed, excitement and pushing limits.
The death of Ayrton Senna in 1994 signalled not only the end of a classic era of rivalry between himself, Piquet, Prost and Mansell, but also the emergence of far-reaching safety measures that have so far made one of the sport’s greatest stars its last victim also.
The terminology of motor racing points to its French origins, and indeed, the world’s first race was the Paris-Rouen of 1894, which pitted ‘Voitures sans Chevaux’ more against themselves and the elements than against each other. As reliability and road holding improved racing should have become safer, but as speed and power grew at an even faster rate the opposite was actually true. In spite of risks involved the spell could not be broken, and by 1911 classics such as the Monte Carlo Rally, Targa Floria and even the term ‘Grand Prix’ were already established. The early tracks had upward sloping edges, the early cars hugely powerful engines that required great skill and determination to master. Those pre-war years were the domain of the legendary sky blue Bugattis, racing green Bentleys, flaming red Alfa Romeos and silver arrow Auto Unions – an era during which the classic racing traditions and credentials were established. VILLÆ 21
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A global phenomenon What started as a club for dashing young European types has since evolved into a global franchise that has seen a modern generation of racing greats do battle on the tracks and streets of Asia, Europe and the Americas. Hundreds of millions follow the racing, the controversies and the personality clashes, with celebrities, sheiks and business tycoons all wanting a piece of the action too. If you’re lucky enough to have an Access All Areas tag around your neck you will spot not only beautiful racing cars and a beehive of high-tech activity in the pits but also seductive beauties and well known faces trying to get as close to it all as they can. Suddenly the rich and famous cease to be that and become fans against a champagne-swilling backdrop of VIP hospitality in hotspots such as Monaco, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. Motor racing has the power to do that. Raw, powerful and seductive, it is a tonic that appeals to something very deep and primal within us. VILLÆ 23
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By Michel Cruz
Heavenly food F
ood, when created by master chefs, is one of the true pleasures in life. Like great artists, musicians or architects these creative geniuses titillate the senses with their strokes of inspiration, creating an experience that you would travel to the hills for. Where the retail concept of clustering is for mere mortals, those who excel enough in their field to stand head and shoulders above the pack can afford to do the opposite. In other words, if you’re that good people will come to you, even if they have to travel to an obscure location and find you amid scenes of rustic splendour. If you think of it, locating the finest restaurants close to their sources of supplies makes perfect sense. Not only are the ingredients fresher, but somehow it seems right to be enjoying the heavenly delights created by a great chef while surrounded by the tranquillity and beauty of nature’s bounty. Some of the finest dining establishments in Europe, nay the world, can be found in such locations. For our purposes we have selected three of the best: Restaurante Martín Berasategui in Spain’s Basque region, the Auberge de L’Ile of JeanCristophe Ansanay-Alex on the river Saône near Lyon, and Rolf Fliegauf ’s Ristorante Ecco in Ascona.
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Martín Berasategui Lasarte-Oria – Spain
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onsidered the finest chef in Spain, and one of the very best in the world, Martín Berasategui proves the point about creating a destination. The restaurant that bears his name is located in the little town of Lasarte-Oria, in the province of Guipúzcoa near San Sebastian and the border with France. Though a charming setting in its own right, it is for Berasategui’s culinary skills that a steady stream of visitors makes the gastronomic ‘pilgrimage’ to his three Michelinstarred restaurant. Deeply passionate about food, he represents the rise of Basque chefs to the top of the culinary world, drawing not only on the rich tradition of the region’s cooking, but also on the fact that it is endowed with some of the finest ingredients anywhere. “We are lucky to work in a region blessed with fantastic produce both in terms of its quality and variety,” says the great chef himself, and indeed, the Basque region can draw on deep fertile soil for agriculture, lush pastures and the rich waters of the Bay of Biscay. In the hands of people like Berasategui the resultant produce is transformed into a cuisine that reflects the origins and traditions from which it sprang forth. In what he calls the ‘battle against the fire’ he and his team conjure up a blend of classics retold and new stories inspired by an ongoing fascination with the alchemy of food. Only the very best make it on to a menu that is rightly world famous, where their exquisite presentation is surpassed only by the taste sensations that await the diner.
www.martinberasategui.com
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Jean-Cristophe Ansanay-Alex Auberge de L’Ile – France
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ou could hardly imagine a more romantic and fitting location for the award-winning restaurant of JeanCristophe Ansanay-Alex. Set within a listed historic monastery on an island midstream in the River Saône, the Auberge d’Ile has a sense of presence and wonderment that is entirely in keeping with its status as one of the finest restaurants in France. Now this is a destination, a place almost as worthy of the trip as the sensory experience available within the dining room itself. Proving that a great chef needn’t necessarily be an egomaniacal tyrant, the affable Jean-Cristophe has earned his stripes – in this case two Michelin stars – working with the best. “I guess I may have become a linguist or an architect,” says the chef whose life path almost went in a very different direction, “but more likely I would have travelled the world with a backpack trying to understand people by the way they eat. It’s always been a part of me.” A great break came when as a promising young talent he became the personal chef to shipping heiress Christina Onassis. There he learned how to cope with high expectations, and before long found himself surpassing them. “It was an important learning experience,” admits Jean-Cristophe, who subsequently had the opportunity to work under the tutelage of Didier Clément at the Grand Hotel du Lion d’Or. They were the stepping-stones that led to the creation of the Auberge d’Ile as it is today. Even a serious car accident, which left him without the use of his right arm, could not hinder the rise of a chef who embodies the modern face of French gastronomy. His is a style that builds on classics and tradition to create such dishes as liquorice ice cream with gingerbread cone. Some call him a ‘molecular gastronomy’ chef, but Jean-Cristophe himself says he is a classically inspired technical chef who uses his love of food and enchanting surroundings to create the experience that has put a little island near Lyon on the map.
www.aubergedelile.com
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Rolf Fliegauf Ascona – Switzerland
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till only 32, Rolf Fliegauf is the youngest two Michelinstar chef in Europe. Not only that, but with both Ecco restaurants under his control scoring two stars he is also the only chef in Switzerland with a total of four stars. The winter months will see him lead the team at the Ristorante Ecco On Snow at the Hotel Giardino Mountain in St Moritz, while during the longer summer season he is back ‘home’ at the original Ristorante Ecco and Hotel Giardino in Ascona. Here, near the Golf Club Patriziale and the stunning Lago Maggiore, the young German chef creates beautiful food within the luxurious ambience of the hotel. Having learned his trade under molecular chefs Juan Amador and Heston Blumenthal, Rolf moved to the sensational experimental kitchen of the world-famous Noma in Copenhagen before settling in at the Ecco in Ascona in 2010, his first stint as head chef. Just three years later he is a respected name and one of the most exciting talents in Europe. The annual trek between mountain and lakeside is challenging for Rolf and his entire team, but it undoubtedly also sharpens the creative spirit, providing two magnificent settings whose culinary offering can be played off against one another – and to which he attracts a loyal international following that is willing to traverse the Alps in search of heavenly delights.
www.giardino.ch/en/restaurants-2/ristorante-ecco
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By Michel Cruz
Made in Spain Spanish exporters at the top of their game At a time of economic transition there are those that are leading the way forward, using the expertise and excellence in their respective fields to open new global markets and show the path for others to follow. These are the Spanish exporters, pioneers of an economic revolution that is already well underway. There was a time when Spain’s exports were as clearly defined as they were typical of the country. Oranges, olive oil, wine and textiles, but also cars, continue to be important exports, yet today it is products such as solar and wind energy equipment, software systems, quality construction and decoration materials, as well as bespoke luxury items that are driving Spain’s renewed export vigour. Tourism, likewise, continues to be a prime contributor to GDP, but it will increasingly be joined by investments in educational facilities, research centres and technologybased ventures both local and international. At the heart of much of this are changes to the elements that govern Spain’s competitive advantage. Foreign investment and exports are now driven by a competitive edge in labour costs, which are shifted by superior design, quality and technology.
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What’s more, an infrastructure that once lagged behind the Western European norm has caught up, thus ending a quantitative economic growth era and ushering in the beginning of a new qualitative one in which technology, exports and high value services are the mainstays of the economy. In other words, the way forward for Spanish business is an increasingly global focus. Already there are those that are leading the way. Leading the way Names such as Hispano Suiza, Pegaso, Ebro, Casa, Ossa and of course Seat have played their part in the evolution of Europe, and show that Spain certainly has the capacity and creativity to excell. In recent decades the country has made up a lot of lost ground, with companies such as Iberdrola, Banco Santander, Inditex and Porcelanosa conquering global markets while smaller, specialised firms revive a tradition of excellence in the design and creation of highly desirable luxury products.
PORCELANOSA From its founding in Villareal some forty years ago Porcelanosa has become the leading ceramics brand in the world, with hundreds of crisply designed kitchen, tiling and bathroom showrooms in Spain, France, Italy, the UK, the United States and beyond. What’s more, the company founded by Pepe Soriano and the Colonques brothers has transformed itself from a maker of conventional tiles and ceramic ware to a global leader not just in retailing, but also in the design and development of new products, materials and applications. At the heart of this technological edge is a dedication to research and development that has seen the brand’s product range revolutionised and its image soar.
Porcelanosa has invested heavily in research and in return acquired a reputation for technical excellence and technological innovation. Under CEO José Vicente Roca it has expanded further, opening flagship stores in London, Paris, New York and Beverley Hills as it rolls out its domination of the ceramic tile sector.
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TRAMONTANA Driven by the same love of motoring that inspires the creations of Hurtan and Café Racer Dreams, Tramontana is Spain’s entry into a world of high technology and high performance. Unlike even a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, it is aimed at those who really want to race, and is capable of doing so on the track or off it. Built and engineered by Advanced Design Tramontana in Palau de Santa Eulalia, near Girona, the 5.5 litre Mercedes engine it harbours sits within a bastion of modern high engineering assembled from carbon fibre, magnesium and aluminium. These strong, lightweight materials allow the
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710-hp car to be glued to the track as it is propelled to earpopping speeds of 325 km/h. The fact that the badge on the front bonnet is made of solid white gold says enough about the type of clientele the Tramontana is attracting from around the world.
www.tramontanagroup.com
CAFÉ RACER DREAMS Café Racer Dreams is a place where a love of technology and craftsmanship comes together. Small and personal, this specialised motorbike maker goes beyond exclusive or modern to offer a bespoke service that will see them build your dream bike to measure. They have their own favourites, like the Triumph Bonneville, the Honda CB 750 or the Ossa Copa 250, but it is their client’s dreams they are specialised in bringing to life – polished and ready to go. While recreating the most beautiful bikes ever made, this team of dedicated engineers somehow makes them better than ever, adding bespoke touches to modern classics or creating
beautiful new designs from the ground up. Hand tooled and assembled with the loving care of true craftsmen, Café Racer Dreams offers clients the chance to ride the bike of their dreams – chrome, leather, steel and all – and a steady stream of unique vehicles is making its way to their fortunate private owners.
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HURTAN Where Britain has the classic Morgan, Spain relives classic motoring through the Hurtan, a series of retro-styled touring cars inspired by the Jaguar XK120. Though built to modern standards in terms of safety, comfort and technology, the two and four-door versions of the Hurtan Albaycin are all about the enjoyment of classic motoring. Manufactured in a small town near the city of Granada, this is a car made for open-top touring in which sun and wind add to the beauty of the scenery you drive through. The Hurtan may not be as famous as its British cousin, but it has been steadily building a loyal client base, proving that there is more to Spanish cars.
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www.hurtan.com
Inditex From humble beginnings in the Galician region of northwestern Spain, Inditex has grown into a global concern with over 6,000 outlets in dozens of countries and a turnover of almost €14 billion. To remain competitive, much of the company’s clothing manufacture has followed production costs to cheap labour countries such as China, Vietnam and Morocco, yet the core of the group’s design, marketing and indeed most of its production remains within the Iberian Peninsula. Amancio Ortega, the founder of this astonishing empire, now ranks among the four richest people in the world. Perhaps more importantly, he is a shining example of how one can
build up a solidly grounded concern that employs over 100,000 people. The importance of this multinational to Spain cannot be overstated, both in practical economic terms and through the prestige and inspiration it conveys. With brand outlets of Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Pull and Bear, among others, in the world’s leading high streets, Inditex now operates on all continents and can add manufacturing and logistical innovations to the market-savvy design and cost-competitive production that are the building stones of one of the most impressive corporate stories of recent decades.
www.inditex.es VILLÆ 37
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By Michel Cruz
The rise of the branded venue We live in a world of branding. Indeed, there isn’t a product, high street, service or foodstuff not attached to a sea of logos and names, each trying to evoke a certain range of qualities and pleasurable or beneficial associations. Design too has become increasingly prevalent in the things we buy, use and see around us, but in recent years these two trends – branding and design – have started to interweave themselves into joint ventures that enhance existing brand value with the addition of high-brow styling appeal.
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Hotel Missoni Edinburgh VILLÆ 40
Missoni’s modern creativeness adds a quirky touch
Where in the past one company would be known for a certain thing, say fashion, perfumery or hotels, now the mid to top end of the market is more and more characterised by hybrid collaborations that will see Bvlgari, Missoni or Diesel straying into the hotel business – or at least attaching their name to luxurious, highly styled venues that represent the cutting edge in design and modern hostelry. Why, you might wonder, would established brands in respective – and often entirely unrelated – fields wish to fuse their brands together?
www.hotelmissoni.com VILLÆ 41
Bvlgari Hotel Milan
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Bvlgari style and elegance applied to a luxury hotel
The answer is enhanced brand appeal, usually in the form of a cross-fertilisation of corporate identities that will see the one, say the hotel, gain additional cachet and designer appeal while allowing a highly regarded international brand such as Bvlgari to broaden its horizons. When successful it spreads the aura of the luxury brand out further whilst giving the product – in this case a hotel – a greater perceived value among today’s brand-conscious consumers.
www.bulgarihotels.com VILLÆ 43
Palazzina Grassi Venice
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An industrial designer let loose on hotel design
Creating hybrids But it isn’t only luxury brands such as Cartier or Mont Blanc that are tempted into such collaborations. Think of the appeal of stepping into a Ferrari high-speed train or a Porsche-branded aeroplane. Where a reputation for luxury and technology come together such combinations would immediately assume top-end luxury, with Recaro seats, leather, chrome and wood interiors, not to mention the alluring glow of a Vodka bar. In this equation the actual builder and operator of the train, say Siemens and DB or Alsthom and SNCF, would quickly become overshadowed by its illustrious partner – unless the management was handed over to a famous hotel group.
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Philippe Starck VILLÆ 46
The many applications of the Philippe Starck design label
Truth is, people are intrigued by the blending of famous names in this way, and seeing them crop up in unfamiliar places and applications. From Porsche Design glasses and Audi bicycles to Lancia powerboats, the existing pairings provide a hint of the endless combinations possible. Much less complicated than the bringing together of two corporate entities is the option of hiring a famous designer and attaching his or her design integrity to your own brand. As before, this works for the designer too, as it spreads their name further across the globe on the wings of the corporate brand they are providing high-end ‘bespoke’ designs for.
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Jade Jagger for Yoo VILLÆ 48
Fashion designer’s perspectives on interior home solutions
In this way we’ve seen the creation of interior decors for hotels, restaurants and shops by fashion designers such as Jimmy Choo and Jean-Paul Gaultier, the design of modular modern home furniture and solutions by Jade Jagger and the many diverse projects of Philippe Starck. Though trained as an architect, the latter has become more famous as an industrial designer, so when he attaches his name to the styling of luxury apartments, motorbikes or the interior design concept of trendy hotels and restaurants it is very much as if he too is crossing over and adding that touch of desirable exoticism that his very name gives to an existing brand or product. In a world where the best brands increasingly evoke the latest word in design, luxury and trend, those most strongly associated with these characteristics are courted by us, the consumer, and also by those businesses that want to add a little magic to their own allure.
www.yoo.com VILLÆ 49
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Helvetica is a font,
just a font. But it has had a more far-reaching impact than one could imagine a mere typeface capable of – until we look at its impact and how over the past half century it has given shape to the world around us, from design, marketing, branding, publishing and advertising to the very streets and signs we see every day of our lives. Truth is, Helvetica is all around us.
By Michel Cruz VILLÆ 51
You might even say that this humble typeface has come to embody the post-war world, to the point where those in the fields of design and advertising are defined by their stance towards it: either for or against. Helvetica may therefore divide opinion, but it came, it conquered, it flourished and it even survived staunch opposition and counter movements to continue its reign well into the 21st century. Clean functionality for a new world In typography, time is measured in ‘BH’ and ‘AH’ – Before Helvetica and After Helvetica – for it truly revolutionised the concept of the font, making a clean break with the flowery scripts of the past and creating a clean sans-serif typeface destined to be the alphabet of a new era. Flowery fonts were for flowery prose, an old-world concept no longer in line with an age of rapidly developing technology, mass consumption and globalised communication. These were forces already at work in the 1950s, and indeed, the script designed by Max Miedinger and
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Eduard Hoffmann was the product of a process that had already started half a century earlier, fed further by the rationality of Bauhaus and the International Style that produced the forward-looking Modernism of the 1950s and 60s. As the font’s name suggests, Miedinger and Hoffmann were Swiss – what else – for what other nation could be better equipped to attempt to perfect something as finicky and detailed as a typeface? Inspired by Akzidenz-Grotesk, perhaps the first great ‘modern’ sans serif typeface, Miedinger took this 60 year-old type and managed to come up with something even purer, simpler, better. The name of the new creation, Neue Haas Grotesk, reflects the link between the two, as well as the name of the Haas Foundry under whose auspices the work was carried out. By 1960 it had sensibly been renamed, and as Helvetica came to conquer the world. A font that completed the modernising work started by the likes of AkzidenzGrotesk, found a ready market and became the darling of sign writers, graphic designers and advertising agencies.
In an age of rebuilding, re-branding and redesigning, Helvetica stepped in to replace the ‘cheesy’ ad slogans and romanticised artwork of old with fresh, clear messages that said less but conveyed more. Along with a new wave of clean, minimalist design styles Helvetica gave the creative minds of the time a whole new vernacular to play with. Magazine print was revolutionised, whilst corporations from BMW, Lufthansa and Panasonic to Kodak and Societé Generale embraced it. So did the public sector, with the likes of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Canadian government, British Rail and European transport authorities populating the world with Helvetica signs at airports, train and metro stations, road signs and public buildings. In the award-winning documentary film released in 2007 to celebrate 50 years of Helvetica, a pattern emerged as prominent designers and advertising directors pronounced themselves in favour or against. Those who first experienced its clean, modernising effect on the world around them would, in general, remain
forever loyal to the font, while those who came after, particularly in the latter 1970s and the 80s, felt it was somehow restrictive, too ordered and representative of reactionary politics and overly powerful corporations. They yearned for something more organic, chaotic and less ‘cold’, but their revolt was short-lived. By the late 1980s the creative world was rediscovering Helvetica, ready to embrace its cool, clean design ethics into their own everevolving work. As renowned Dutch typographer and graphic artist Wim Crouwel said, “Helvetica was a real step away from the 19th century typeface… it was more neutral, and neutralism was a word that we loved.” In spite of its opponents and thanks to legions of ardent supporters Helvetica, now in its sixth decade, continues to make a powerful impact on the world around us. It has spawned a great many variations, from Neue Helvetica to Helvetica Compressed, and inspired many of the modern fonts of the past half-century, but even today the original, classic Helvetica font retains a freshness that is an ode to its purity of design.
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By Michel Cruz
Top Spots When mere luxury or stunning design is not enough, you need to search deep for inspiration to create something that is truly special, and dare we say it – unique. This is a look at some of the most amazing venues in the world today, be they hotels, restaurants or bars. Designed to stand out, they offer an experience that revolves around sheer fun and enjoyment.
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Shed Create, London Interior architects Shed Create are just the people to turn a venue into something extraordinary. They’ve demonstrated this ability on numerous occasions, and none more so than with two of their latest creations, Meatmission in Hoxton and Wishbone. The latter is a café style eatery within the Brixton indoor market in London, and though its speciality is fried chicken it evokes the style and ambience of the old eel and pie houses combined with a playful feel that wouldn’t be amiss at an art college. Young, fresh and certainly not shunning experimentation, it ranks with the other acclaimed London restaurants launched in recent years under the MEAT Liquor and Meat Market brands. The light and informal décor of Wishbone, where you’d expect to run into arty youngsters and fringe intellectuals, contrasts quite strongly with the dark mystery of Meatmission in Hoxton, where a red flow of light only slowly reveals a mock-Art Nouveau world of visual effects. At Meat Mission you feel not only that you have gone back in time, but may be travelling with Dr Who, the ephemeral character that has been haunting children’s programmes for generations now. As hard to grasp and define as the television series itself, Meat Mission plays with neo-Romantic and Arts & Crafts themes to create a bar and restaurant décor like no other. At once traditional, retro and innovative, it acknowledges no boundaries or stylistic definitions in its desire to create an ambience that reminds you of a Victorian pub – yet one with a sense of drama and occasion you won’t have come across before. www.shed-design.com
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Saffire Freycinet Resort Tasmania Most stunning design-led venues tend to be associated with big, bustling metropolitan cities, but the Saffire Freycinet Resort in Australia is a notable exception to the rule. Set on the east coast of the island of Tasmania, the Saffire Freycinet Resort represents a very novel and modern interpretation of a luxurious resort hotel. Tasmania is almost the size of Ireland, and almost as green. It is even more rugged, and the stunning fluid architectural design of this unique luxury resort acts not only to minimise its impact on the environment, but also to provide a gallery to the natural beauty that unfolds all around you. In so doing the almost liquid flow of the hotel,
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emboldened by the waving folds of the timber roofline, creates a link with its setting that continues in the raw materials used in the spa’s health and beauty treatments, and the ingredients that shape the restaurant’s menu. Sourced from local farms and vineyards, they also harvest the bountiful bay, with fish and seafood so fresh that guests are even invited to find their own oysters in the shallow waters and enjoy them there and then as the sun dips on the horizon. It’s a place of modern comforts and refinements, with luxurious suites and an ambient décor, but also the kind of hotel where they will lay on a picnic and horses, arrange a barbecue by a secluded cove or whisk you off to the clear waters of nearby Schouten Island.
www.saffire-freycinet.com.au
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Le Royal Monceau, Paris If the setting is as much a part of the dramatic appeal of the Saffire Freycinet as its design, then the same applies to Le Royal Monceau in Paris. Urban and refined to the rustic innocence of its Tasmanian counterpart, the Monceau is Parisian chic personified. In that it has a great deal of illustrious competition, but the Monceau stands out for its visual appeal – a joyful evocation of the chic bohemian spirit of a city that recalls the grandeur of the Belle Epoque as seen through modern eyes. As a result it is not only mesmerising in its design and detail, but fills the space around you with a saucy cheekiness that brings pure joy to the concept of luxury hostelry. The doormen at the red-canopied entrance could not be more Parisian, and what an entrance to make! You almost hear Camille SaintSaëns’ La Dance Macabre as you approach the stunning façade of this coquette of a hotel, where stylish red lanterns give a hint of what lays beyond. Inside, the décor is tasteful and elegant, but without the selfimposed hauteur of many of the world’s luxury hotels, as if to remind one that staying here is a privilege, not a penitence. The rooms and studios draw inspiration from this city of art and design, combining must-have opulence and elegance with a refreshing touch of personality. You sense that Jean-Paul Gaulthier would approve – maybe he was even consulted. A modern retro touch pervades this hotel with tantalising hints of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, adding detail and reviving Paris at its best. Never to be forgotten in a place like Paris is the dining experience, which in this case includes not one, but two stunningly designed Michelin-star restaurants, as well as a tranquil terrace garden and a bar resembling the kind of club you’ve always wanted to belong to. Sleek, modern retro, tasteful and so visually pleasing as to be an ode to design and the creation of a truly memorable ambience, Le Royal Monceau is made for those who love luxury with a difference. www.leroyalmonceau.com
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There’s no ceiling on effort. Harvey C. Fruehauf
www.europeanrealestate.org VILLÆ 62
Property section
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Rahlhof Residences. Vienna City Centre/AUSTRIA Unique penthouse apartments. Terraces & Garages Price: from € 2,410,000. Ref: MI 915
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Property section. Austria
Grand Park Estate. Greater Vienna Area/AUSTRIA Living area: 1.290 m². Plot area: 44.000 m². Large swimming pond. Price: € 1,980,000. Ref. MI 866
Luxury Penthouse. Vienna, Prestige Location/AUSTRIA Living area: 245 m². Terrace: 47 m². Garage & Garden. Price: € 2,230,000. Ref. MI 942
Traditional Chalet. Kitzbühel/AUSTRIA Living area: 380 m². Plot area: 990 m². Prime location. Price provided upon request. Ref. MI 930
Modern Designer Villa. Vienna, Klosterneuburg/AUSTRIA Living area: 454 m². Roof terrace with pool. Amazing view. Price: € 2,200,000. Ref. MI 918
Marschall Immobilen GmbH +43 1 533 20 30 office@marschall.at www.marschall.at
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Neuilly, Hauts-de-Seine. FRANCE 6 bedrs, 3 bathrs. Duplex apartment: 390 m², garden: 974 m² Price: € 7,200,000. Contact: +33 (0) 1 47 45 22 60. Ref: 8016541
Property section. France
Paris 16th. FRANCE 3 bedrs, 2 bathrs. Apartment: 225 m² Price provided upon request. Contact: +33 (0) 1 53 23 81 81. Ref: 8213694
Paris 16th. FRANCE 4 bedrs, 2 bathrs. Apartment: 283 m² Price: € 3,300,000. Contact: +33 (0) 1 45 24 08 72. Ref: 8397760
Paris 7th. FRANCE 4 bedrs, 2 bathrs. Apartment: 139,14 m². Price: € 1,980,000. Contact: +33 (0) 1 44 07 30 00. Ref: 8168336
Sologne. FRANCE 10 bedrs, 5 bathrs. Castle: 650 m², land: 124 ha. Price : € 2,800,000. Contact: +33 (0) 1 53 23 80 47. Ref: 7254640
Belles demeures de France +33 (0)1 53 23 81 81 bellesdemeuresdefrance@bdfrance.fr www.paris-fineresidences.com
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The Charleston Berlin Living – New York Style Berlin, Potsdamer Platz, GERMANY. Luxurious penthouse located in a new 5-star residential complex in the heart of Europe’s lifestyle epicenter: Berlin, Germany. The Charleston offers the aura of a Grand Hotel, with a 24-hour concierge and fitness studio on-site. You will enjoy a sophisticated quality of living with fantastic views of Berlin from your private roof terrace. Natural stone bathtubs, marble façades, underfloor heating, spaciously majestic room proportions, offering only the best in highquality comfort. Welcome to The Charleston: the epitome of cosmopolitan Berlin. 5 rooms, 3 bathrs. Penthouse: 319 m2 Price: € 2,200,000. Ref: Unit38
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Property section. Germany
Berlin Capital Investments +49 (0) 30 52 00 97 00 request@berlin-capital.com www.berlin-capital.com VILLÆ 69
Peaceful Country Estate Glücksburg, Schleswig-Holstein, GERMANY. This noble and prestigious villa combines modern comfort with classic charm. Its yellow-white façade blends harmoniously into a backdrop of lush, landscaped parkland. Approximately 7,104 sq ft of floor space is spread over three floors, encompassing 13 rooms. From the foyer, a glimpse of the stunning atrium-style entrance hall can be seen with its beautiful domed ceiling, while the open-plan dining and kitchen area takes in glorious views of the countryside. Moving on to the first floor, three spacious bedrooms with separate baths offer ideal accommodation for guests or children. The second floor is home to the master bedroom, complete with two spacious dressing rooms, and overlooks the magnificent gardens, mature trees, and a picturesque lake. Additionally, this exquisite estate boasts a delightful spa with a large swimming pool, sauna, and steam room, as well as a gym with a bar and lounge area – the epitome of relaxation. 8 bedrs., 6 bathrs., house: ca. 667 m², land: ca. 8,685 m² Price: € 4,950,000.
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Property section. Germany
Historical Elegance Oersberg, Schleswig-Holstein, GERMANY. This impressive Baroque-style mansion, located amid the beautiful countryside of the Schleswig-Holstein hills, is a true piece of history, dating back to 1768. It is a protected monument, but went through a full renovation in 1994 to marry exquisite original features with the highest quality modern amenities. Its clinker façade and white lattice windows give an enchanting, time-honored Nordic look, while the total floor area extends to approximately 4,305 sq ft, with a total of 13 rooms. The ground floor, with seven spacious rooms, could be used on a commercial basis – as an exhibition space, for example. On the first floor are private rooms including two baths and three bedrooms, one of which is the spacious master suite. On this level there is also a kitchen, dining room, living room, and cozy reading room. With excellent transport links towards Kiel, the property is also delightfully close to the Baltic Sea. house: ca. 520 m², land: ca. 24,000 m² Price: € 2,200,000.
VON POLL IMMOBILIEN KIEL +49 (0) 431 – 98 26 04 0 kiel@von-poll.com www.von-poll.com
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Wine trees old country house. Verona, Veneto, ITALY 5 bedrs. 4 bathrs. House: 500 m2, garden 700 m2 Price: € 950,000. Ref. CF372
Villa Mantegna. Bussolengo – Verona, Veneto, ITALY 5 nedrs, 5 bathrs. House: 528 m2, garden 500 m2, energy saving home Price provided upon request. Ref. CF412
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Villa Liberty Garda lake, Riva del Garda, Trento, ITALY 9 bedrs, 6 bathrs. Palace 900 m2, garden 1,200 m2 Price provided upon request. Ref. CF270
Property section. Italy
Penthouse in old palace. Verona, Veneto, ITALY 5 bedrs, 5 bathrs. Home 500 m2, terrace 40 m2, 2 garages Price provided upon request. Ref. CF311
Panoramic stonehouse. Verona, Veneto, ITALY 7 bedrs, 5 baths. House 350 m2, land 4000 m2 Price: â‚Ź 1,130,000. Ref. CF371
Villa Torricelle 17th century. Verona, Veneto, ITALY. 15 bedrs , 7 bathrs. Palace 1,000 m2, land 15,000 m2 Price provided upon request. Ref. CF1000
Palladio style Villa, Vicenza, Veneto, ITALY Palace 500 m2, land 6000 m2, to restore Price provided upon request. Ref. CF1001
Cofim Immobiliare +39 045 800 11 99 info@cofimimmobiliare.it www.cofimimmobiliare.it
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Pevero Golf Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, ITALY. Strategically located few steps from the renowned Pevero Golf course of Porto Cervo, villa of great charm with stunning sea views dominating the bay of Cala di Volpe. Enjoying the utmost privacy, the property is situated in a prestigious gated community and features a private manicured garden, swimming pool with enviable panoramic view. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, staff quarters, laundry room, 2 covered parking places, 1 garage. 4 bedrs, 4 bathrs. House: 350 m², land: 3.400 m² Price: € 4,250,000.
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Property section. Italy
Villa Sa Contissa Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, ITALY. Situated on a stunning plot of 3,000 square metres the villa offers the highest comforts and amenities : home theatre, gym with spa, spacious internal and external dining and living areas, patio with large swimming pool. The villa perfectly blends with the natural setting created by the Mediterranean maquis and granite sculptures. 12 bedrs, 10 bathrs. House: 1,000 m², land: 3,000 m2, Price provided upon request
Immobilsarda Srl + 39 0789 909000 portocervo@immobilsarda.com www.immobilsarda.com
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Villa. San Felice Circeo. Near Rome, Lazio, ITALY. Representative hall 9 bedrs. 5 bathrs. House: 500 m2, land: 1,800 m2 Price provided upon request. Ref. LC333
Luxury Villa. Sutri, Near Rome, Lazio, ITALY. Representative hall, 4 bedrs. 6 bathrs. House: 598 m2, land: 10,000 m2. Price provided upon request. Ref. LC09
Penthouse in Historical Building. Rome, Lazio, ITALY. Representative hall, 4 bedrs. 3 bathrs. House: 295 m2, terrace: 30 m2. Price provided upon request. Ref. LC260
Enchanting Villa. Sabaudia, Near Rome, Lazio, ITALY. Different buildings. Land: 10.5 ha. Price provided upon request. Ref. LC217
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Property section. Italy
A unique villa all over the world. Exclusive location , Liberty style. Rome, Lazio, ITALY. situated on the Spanish Steps, from which you can have direct access, with a blooming garden. It represents a spectacular, unique and exclusive opportunity for its exceptionality. House: 654 m2, wine cellar: 170 m2, land: 300 m2 Price provided upon request. Ref: LC30
La Commerciale Srl (+39) 06 3200 613 lacommerciale@lacommerciale.org www.italian-network.it
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Immaculate contemporary villa Sierra Blanca, Marbella, SPAIN 4 bedrs, 4 bathrs. House: 715m2. Land: 1500m2 Price: € 3,495,000. Ref: DM3125 Exceptional villa with sea views Sierra Blanca area, Marbella, SPAIN 5 bedrs., 4 bathrs. House: 719m2, Land: 900m2 Price: € 2,450,000. Ref: DM1704
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Property section. Spain
Secluded and inviting estate El MadroĂąal, Benahavis, SPAIN 10bedrs., 8 bathrs. House: 2.000m2, Land: 35.000m2 Price provided upon request. Ref: DM1542 Magnificent mansion at the finest address Sierra Blanca, Marbella, SPAIN 9 bedrs., 9 bathrs., House: 2113m2. Land: 4015m2 Price provided upon request. Ref: DM3004
Diana Morales Properties +34 952 76 51 38 enquiries@dmproperties.com www.dmproperties.com
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Los Monasterios, Valencia, SPAIN When architecture becomes fine art Los Monasterios, Valencia, SPAIN. Truly the pinnacle of exquisite yet comfortable living, this elegant and serene villa stands out for its immaculate design and architecture. Likewise, its smart use of materials, choice of textures and innovative distribution of space all combine to create a refined and stylish environment in which it is a veritable pleasure to live. This beautiful home has been thoughtfully distributed over three levels and radiates outwards from a seductive pillared courtyard which amplifies the villa’s level of perfection and intimacy.
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Property section. Spain
The living spaces on the ground floor, which open out onto attractive sun-kissed terraces, flow effortlessly into each other ensuring ease and practicality whilst, on the ground and upper floor, the discreet bedroom suites contribute to the incredible sense of peace and privacy. Relaxation zones and recreational areas are found in the lower floor of the villa and conveniently open out into lush, scented gardens and highlight that no detail has been overlooked in this beautiful home. It is a magnificent yet graceful oasis set in the prestigious and exclusive community of Los Monasterios, Valencia. 5 bedrs, 6 bathrs. Villa: 900 m2, land: 3,251 m2. Price and viewings on application. Ref: RMG V046
Rimontgó +34 963 50 44 44 valencia@rimontgo.es www.rimontgo.com
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At the heart of Geneva Magnificent duplex in attique Right bank of Geneva, SWISS. In the city center of Geneva, a few steps away from the lakeside, this magnificient urban apartment in duplex, renewed in 2012, occupies the last two floors of an old duilding of the 20s. It is distributed in six main rooms and has a clear view on the foutain. Nearby the public transports, businesses and schools, it benefits of top services and a resolutely contemporary decoration. 196m², 3 bedrs, fireplace. Terrace with panoramic view on the city and the lake of Geneva. Price provided upon request. Ref. 19164. Contact +4122 809 08 09 – ventes@cgi.ch
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Property section. Switzerland
Prangins edge of lake Property of charm Prangins, the Coast vaudoise, SWISS. Property of charm enjoying private beach and pontoon. This property of charm benefits from an idyllic situation and enjoys a direct access to the garden and the private beach decorated with a mooring buoy. It’s located in the charming village of Prangins, very close to Nyon, a few minutes away from the airport of Geneva and at 30 minutes from Lausanne. The village has the port of Abériaux, magnificently fitted out and also shelters the Swiss national museum in the Castle of Prangins. 4 bedrs, 3 bathrs. Swimming pool, fireplace. House: 280 m², land: 1900 m² Price provided upon request. Ref. 18841. Contact +4122 809 08 15 – cginyon@cgi.ch
CGi Immobilier +41 22 809 08 09 ventes@cgi.ch www.cgi.ch
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Villa, Kilchberg, Zurich, SWITZERLAND 8½ rooms. House: 492 m², land: 1.786 m² Price: CHF 18,000,000. Ref: LA35028
Apartments in Mobimo Tower, Zurich, SWITZERLAND 3½ to 5½ rooms. Apartments: 186 m² to 296 m² Price: Starting from CHF 2,980,000. Ref: VJ30183
Villa, Herrliberg, Zurich, SWITZERLAND 12 rooms. House: 590 m², land: 5.043 m² Price: CHF 22,000,000. Ref: FP20745
Attic apartment, Küsnacht – Letzi, Zurich, SWITZERLAND 4½ rooms. Apartment: 196 m² Price: CHF 5,180,000. Ref: FP35012
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Property section. Switzerland
Villa, Zollikon, Zurich, SWITZERLAND 7½ rooms. House: 450 m², land: 1.208 m² Price: CHF 8,800,000. Ref: VJ35026
Double-Villa, Zurich, SWITZERLAND 15 rooms and studio. House: 900 m², land: 3.300 m² Price: CHF 25,000,000. Ref: FP20737
Villa, Zurich, SWITZERLAND 9 rooms. House: 750 m², land: 1.326 m² Price: CHF 18,000,000. Ref: FP35025
Country House, Stäfa, Zurich, SWITZERLAND 7 rooms. House: 210 m², land: 2.600 m² Rent / month: CHF 8,800. Ref: FP35030
Walde & Partner Immobilien AG +41 44 396 60 66 eren@walde.ch www.walde.ch
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Villa Chesa Cherina St. Moritz, Suvretta, SWITZERLAND 5 bedrs, 8 bathrs. House: 949 m2, land: 3,688 m2 Price provided upon request. Ref: WE1317 Two Frank Lloyd Wright inspired villas Lugano, Lake Lugano, SWITZERLAND 4 bedrs, 4 bathrs. House: 500 m2, land: 2,800 m2 Price provided upon request. Ref: WE1149
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Property section. Switzerland
“Villa Pierina” - Stunning 19th Century Villa Curio, Lake Lugano, SWITZERLAND 5 bedrs, 5 bathrs. House: 670 m2, land: 7,250 m2 Price provided upon request. Ref: WE1297
Modern view villa Minusio, Lake Maggiore, SWITZERLAND 3 bedrs, 3 bathrs. House: 220 m2, land: 5,095 m2 Price: CHF 5,500,000. Ref: WE1189
Mediterranean Masterpiece Brissago, Lake Maggiore, SWITZERLAND 4+ bedr, 4 bathr. House: 450 m2, land: 1,572 m2 Price provided upon request. Ref: WE1078
Architectural gem by Michele Arnaboldi Arcegno, Lake Maggiore, SWITZERLAND 6 bedrs, 3 bathrs. House: 480 m2 , land: 2,530 m2 Price provided upon request. Ref: WE1113
Wetag Consulting +41 (0) 91 751 3106 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch
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www.europeanrealestate.org
successful international cooperation “The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more,” Dr. J.E. Salk EREN professional websites promoting luxury real estate in five languages perform ever better, year after year, and consolidate a dominant position within the international market. The philosophy behind the founding of EREN was to create an organisation that brought together the leading luxury real estate agents in Europe, so that we could work together, exchange knowledge and ideas, and encourage one another to achieve new heights of success as measured in terms of service, professionalism, marketing strength and business results. As the organisation matured and settled into its role it has begun to show its benefits in all these respects, with communication, trust and shared values at the heart of an increase in business interaction between our various offices, be they in Milan, Vienna or London. We are independent companies, but we work closely together and have created highly streamlined and efficient ways of exchanging information between ourselves and dealing with international enquiries in a way that is increasingly bringing buyers and sellers from highly diverse geographical locations together to conclude a mutually beneficial property transaction. Some examples that are a direct result of this trend are displayed in the coming pages. We hope you will enjoy this issue’s captivating stories.
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”Goldenes Quartieris a unique project in the city and I truly believe that no property like this will ever become available on the market again” MARSCHALL IMMOBILIEN. Marschall Real Estate is one of the 3 chosen agents, instructed with the sale & marketing of Vienna´s most prestige project “Goldenes Quartier”. The project right in the heart of the city comprises various Haute Couture boutiques with names like Louis Vuitton and Armani, executive office space and only 11 luxury apartments. Shortly after the launch of the project in October last year, Marschall Real Estate succeeded with the 1st sale of one of these amazing apartments. The buyer, an Eastern-European native with Austrian residency, has chosen to purchase the apartment purely as investment for the future. VILLÆ 89
“Daniel Féau, achieving a record amount for this type of property in the Parisian market in 2012”
DANIEL FEAU Hôtel de Miramion Completion of the sale of Hôtel de Miramion, valued at 35.1€ million. François Mansart’s XVIIe century magnificent private house is located on quai de la Tournelle (Ve Arrondissement) close to Notre-Dame. The Hôtel was named after Madame de Miramion who acquired it in 1675. From 1812 onwards and for approximately 150 years, the Central Pharmacy occupied the Hôtel de Miramion, before it was acquired by the Public Hospital Service. Several sections of the building received VILLÆ 90
protection under the law for the preservation of historic monuments. The Public Hospital Service of Paris (Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris AP-HP) exclusively entrusted the Hôtel to Daniel Féau, achieving a record amount for this type of property in the Parisian market in 2012. An amount which exceeds even the sale of Hôtel de la Salle, once again completed by Daniel Féau in the beginning of the same year.
www.europeanrealestate.org
“...built in 1639 for Thomas de Bragelongne, the first president of the Metz Parliament”. DANIEL FEAU Hôtel de la Salle Completion of the sale of Hôtel de la Salle, valued at 34€ million. Hotel de la Salle is situated at 21 Rue de l’Université, in the heart of a historic and prestigious arrondissement, between the Orsay Museum and Church of St. Thomas Aquinas. The mansion, built in 1639 for Thomas de Bragelongne, the first president of the Metz Parliament, was acquired by Jean-Jacques Regis de Cambaceres, Arch-Chancellor of the Empire in 1816. Cambaceres took up residence on his return from exile in 1818 and lived there until his death in March 1824. The Cambaceres mansion then became the property of the Duke and Duchesse De La Salle, who sold a part of it to the company Arbelot in 1911. Built on four floors, the Hotel de la Salle is fully renovated and air-conditioned. The total surface area covers around 1,700 m2, currently laid out as offices but with the possibility of changing to residential occupancy.
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CGi IMMOBILIER
“It was one of the most expensive on the Genevan market”
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Domaine de l’Ermitage In 2012, CGi IMMOBILIER finalized the sale of this luxurious apartment. It was one of the most expensive on the Genevan market. It has been sold for CHF 12’500’000.-. This apartment of 400 sqm is part of a luxury residence of six apartments which we built in 2010 named «Le domaine de l’Ermitage ». This residence is located in the prestigious area of Chêne-Bougeries on the left bank of Geneva at five minutes of the city center.
BERLIN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS & WETAG. From Lucerne to Berlin: Successful cooperation within the EREN network. Berlin’s growing property market attracted one of Wetag’s clients, a powerful Austrian investment company, to broaden their portfolio in this sought after city. Their interest consisted solely of apartment building investments throughout Europe. Working together with Berlin Capital Investments, both companies consulted and analyzed their investment needs, advising them to rather invest in luxury offplan apartments in top locations in Berlin instead of apartment building complexes.
“...a luxurious waterfront flat in the unique project “yoo Berlin inspired by Starck”
This enables them to exit their investment after the project’s completion, gaining the high capital appreciation that these types of luxurious units have in central Berlin. Wanting the very best in luxury waterfront property in the city, they were then able to offer them a luxurious waterfront flat in the unique project “yoo Berlin inspired by Starck“. A successful collaboration between both firms led Wetag’s client to purchase a unique unit worth over €1.2 million, bringing the two firms together for future client collaborations.
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“...the high level Italian domestic clientele is strongly interested in Sardinia - Costa Smeralda...� IMMOBILSARDA Significant sales of exclusive properties in Costa Smeralda were closed earlier this year 2013. A charming panoramic villa set in Parco del Pevero, above the stunning Pevero Bay, 2 kilometers from Porto Cervo center and Marina. Asking price: Euro 2.700.000. Sold at the beginning of this year, a prestigious villa set in the renowned location of Romazzino. Asking price: Euro 6.000.000. In both cases the buyers were Italians, demonstrating that the high level Italian domestic clientele is strongly interested in Sardinia - Costa Smeralda Real Estate market and considers it a safe investment.
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“We recently acquired the exclusive mandate for sale and the property is under negotiation in record time.”
IMMOBILSARDA Sardinia – Costa Smeralda. A villa of great charm in Romazzino. Asking price: Euro 6.500.000. Currently under negotiation. We recently acquired the exclusive mandate for sale and the property is under negotiation in record time. The interested parties are coming from the European market.
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DIANA MORALES PROPERTIES This exquisite brand new villa of contemporary Mediterranean design had been waiting for the perfect owners who would appreciate its exceptional location and fine construction. The buyers, a middle-aged Russian couple, certainly valued both. The property is located in a gated and secure estate in Los Flamingos Golf and Country Club, next to two golf courses and within a few minutes’ drive to Marbella and Puerto Banus marina. The new owners also fell in love with the area and all the exclusive services and facilities available from the nearby 5-star Villa Padierna Palace Hotel.
“... part of a group of eight individually designed houses, carefully planned to preserve spectacular sea views.”
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This villa is part of a group of eight individually designed houses, carefully planned to preserve spectacular sea views and unmitigated privacy from every perspective. The fact that it was never lived-in was an added value for the buyers, as they will be able to start afresh and adapt the property entirely to their needs.
DIANA MORALES PROPERTIES
“ The new owners, were impressed by the unique design and privileged location”
Villa La Escultura is a stunning front-line golf property located in Los Naranjos - amidst Marbella’s Golf Valley - designed by renowned architect Angel Taborda, which strikes an impressive alternative to the Andalusian-style homes in the area. The previous owners undertook a complete renovation to provide the property with the best possible features, boasting superb quality finishes and attention to detail throughout. The new owners, a Swedish couple with a teenage son who knew the area well, were impressed by the unique design and privileged location, since the property offered all they had dreamed of to suit every family member. With spectacular sea and mountain views, immaculate spacious living areas to entertain friends and relatives, expansive manicured garden and an endless number of services and amenities in the area including international schools and sport facilities - all within a few minutes’ drive to Marbella and Puerto Banus - this property was clearly a winner.
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MEMBERS OF EREN AUSTRIA MARSCHALL IMMOBILIEN. Wien A modern, dynamic company that combines its technical know-how and knowledge of the local property market with a customer-orientated service. Providing a key brokerage and surveying service to private buyers and investors, embassies, trusts and foundations, the firm offers a portfolio of upmarket residential properties, commercial real estate and industrial premises. Palais Kinsky, Freyung 4 1010 Wien - Austria Tel: +43 – 1 – 533 20 30 Fax : +43 – 1- 533 20 30 30 office@marschall.at www.marschall.at
2013 IMMOBILSARDA. Sardinia - Porto Cervo. Leading high-end real estate specialist in Sardinia – Costa Smeralda for over 35 years. Providing brokerage and surveying services as well as project management and valuations. Immobilsarda guarantees an invaluable local knowledge and an extensive portfolio of high quality properties for sale and rent, seafront villas and estates, luxury golf resort projects, championing sustainable developments.
SWITZERLAND
Via Nazionale 28. 07028 Santa Teresa di Gallura - Italy Tel: +39-0789-754500 Fax: +39-0789-754371
Rue des Bains, 35 CP 242 - 1211 Genève 8 - Switzerland Tel. +41 22 809 08 09 vente@cgi.ch • www cgi.ch
Piazzetta degli Archi, 2 07020 Porto Cervo - (OT) - Italy Tel. +39-0789-909000 Fax. + 39-0789-909022
FRANCE BELLES DEMEURES DE FRANCE. Paris Located at the heart of Paris’s most prestigious neighborhood, Belles demeures de France is the meeting point for the finest real estate and the most demanding international customers. Belles demeures de France, in partnership with Daniel Féau, accounts for over 30% of the market over 1.5 million euros in the best districts of Paris. 30 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie 75008 Paris - France Tel: + 33 (0)1 53 23 81 82 Fax: + 33 (0)1 53 23 81 89 bellesdemeuresdefrance@bdfrance.fr www.paris-fineresidences.com GERMANY BERLIN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS. Berlin A leading property firm in the heart of the German capital, Berlin Capital Investments deals with clients from all corners of the globe in the selling of highend residential projects exclusively in central Berlin. Berlin Capital Investments is a reputed property consultancy for developers, and is deeply involved in the project planning, individual marketing and sales strategies of its development projects. Leipziger Platz 15 10117 Berlin, Germany +49 (0) 30 52 00 97 00 request@berlin-capital.com www.berlin-capital.com VON POLL IMMOBILIEN. Frankfurt Specialised in preferred residential and business areas, Von Poll offers a whole variety of services concerning real estate. Their headquarters are located in Frankfurt/Main. EschersheimerLandstr. 537D 60431 Frankfurt am Main - Germany Tel: +49 69 9511790 Fax: +49 69 95117911 frankfurt@von-poll.de www.von-poll.de ITALY COFIM. Verona Founded in 1978, Cofim is a leading property firm in the Veneto region that specialises in both sales and rentals. A reputation for exhaustive due diligence gives their clients the assurance that the properties offered have been objectively and critically assessed. Stradone Porta Palio, 16/A. 37122 Verona - Italy Tel: +39 – 045 – 800 11 99 Fax: +39 – 045 – 800 26 96 argentieri@cofim-immobiliare.it www.cofim-immobiliare.it
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immobilsarda@immobilsarda.com www.immobilsarda.com LA COMMERCIALE. Rome This property specialist for Rome and the surrounding province of Lazio is a leading brokerage, accredited by the Chamber of Commerce to operate with the Real Estate Stock Exchange of Rome, and entrusted with the sale of luxury city properties, large historical country estates and commercial real estate. Lungotevere dei Mellini 44. 00193 Rome - Italy Tel: +39–06– 200613. Fax: +39–06 –3218100 lacommerciale@lacommerciale.org www.italian-network.it SPAIN DM PROPERTIES. Marbella As one of the longest-established and most highly respected real estate agencies in Marbella, DM Properties attracts a highly selective clientele of vendors and buyers. Specialising in luxury homes, the firm has built up a name for integrity, professionalism and know-how that is sought by those in the high end of the market. Los Portales. Avda. Ricardo Soriano 72-B, 1º P.O. Box 390. 29600 Marbella - Spain Tel: +34 952 822 853 Fax: +34 952 771 871 enquiries@dmproperties.com www.dmproperties.com RIMONTGÓ. Valencia, Jávea Specialising in Valencia and northern Costa Blanca regions, Rimontgó is a well-established family business that has been building, marketing and selling quality villas and apartments since 1959. Rimontgó’s multilingual team offers a full range of residential and commercial property services, ensuring the company’s success in a vibrant region of Spain. Avda. Cristo del Mar, 21 03730 Jávea (Alicante) - Spain Tel. +34 965 791 035 Fax. +34 965 795 129 Po. Amanecer, bl 9, local 10 03730 Jávea (Alicante) - Spain Tel. +34 966 470 983 Fax. + 34 966 470 983 Gran Vía Marqués del Turia, 62 46005 Valencia - Spain Tel.+34 963 504 444 Fax. +34 963 504 445 rimontgo@rimontgo.es www.rimontgo.com
CGi IMMOBILIER, Genève, Lausanne. With almost sixty years’ experience and boasting around seventy-five employees, CGi offers a wide range of property services, with a down-to-earth approach ensuring a contact tailored to clients’ needs. With offices in Geneva and Lausanne, CGi covers all the Lake Geneva area and neighbouring Swiss Alps.
WALDE & PARTNER IMMOBILIEN AG Zurich, Lucerne. Walde & Partner Immobilien are the leading independent real estate agents for prime, exclusive properties in the German-speaking region of Switzerland. Founded in 1985, Walde & Partner operates with a staff of 50 at its four offices in and around Lake Zurich and Lucerne. The Brand Walde & Partner Immobilien stands for quality, professionalism and the highest level of customer satisfaction. Alte Landstrasse 107 8702 Zollikon - Switzerland Tel. +41 44 396 60 60 Fax. +41 44 396 60 90 eren@walde.ch • www.walde.ch WETAG. Locarno, Ascona, Lugano A leading specialist in high-end real estate in the Ticino region of Switzerland since the 1970s, Wetag is also the exclusive representative of leading international real estate organisations such as EREN and The Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. Via della Pace 1 a 6601 Locarno - Switzerland Tel: +41-91-751 31 06 Fax: +41-91-751 96 38 Via Beato Berno, 10 6612 Ascona - Switzerland Tel: +41-91-791 29 20 Fax: +41-91-791 77 66 Riva Antonio Caccia, 3 6900 Lugano - Switzerland Tel: +41-91-994 68 51 Fax: +41-91 -994 68 52 info@wetag.ch www.wetag.ch UK EREN HEADQUARTERS London 33, St. James’s Square London SW1Y 4JS - United Kingdom T. +44 0203 178 6154 F. +44 0203 178 6155 bod@europeanrealestate.org www.europeanrealestate.org
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