Kobu sat down for a virtual chat with forward-thinking property developers Berrow Projects, whose latest restoration project the Canoneta Townhouse is well underway in the beautiful town of Sóller, Mallorca.
What was the reason for setting up in Mallorca?
We have been coming to Mallorca on holiday since we can remember so it has always been a very special place for us and our family. The reason we set up here was purely based on an opportunity in 2016 when Archie was shown a derelict 19th-century townhouse in Sóller. It was totally unique to anything else we had seen on the island and we saw a chance to turn it into something really special. Our entire business was this one project and our mission was to turn it into a contemporary home with no compromise on luxury while ensuring the heritage and charm not only lived on but enhanced the finished product. This project was our “Patiki Townhouse” and after we completed and sold it we saw no reason to leave Sóller, it is such a wonderful place with its French-inspired architectural buildings and the lifestyle it offers between the mountains and sea.
Your properties have a certain aesthetic, where do you draw inspiration from and which brands are your favourites?
Most of our inspiration comes out of a respect for the original architecture in the buildings we develop. We try to highlight the wonderful original features and details without bringing in too many modern concepts.
How do you see the current market and what are the plans for Berrow in the near future?
We are obviously going through unprecedented times and this kind of uncertainty is never the best thing for a market but we feel that unique properties in special locations are more desirable now than ever before. People are realising the new norm of working from home for much of the year so these properties that would have previously been used as holiday homes for a month or so can now be used even as full-time homes. From a buyers perspective, this represents much more year-round value.
“People are realising the new norm of working from home for much of the year so these properties that would have previously been used as holiday homes for a month or so can now be used even as full-time homes. From a buyers perspective, this represents much more year-round value.”
It has also become apparent that there may continue to be periods of lockdown into the future so having a home in the sunshine that you can escape to is a very nice option. Mallorca offers great proximity to all major European cities and the healthcare here is top class so these are more factors that have lead to the demand for luxury property increasing here significantly over the last quarter.
In terms of Berrow in the near future, we will continue to seek uncut gems in great locations and turn them into contemporary homes. Our properties are crafted one at a time and we pay a meticulous attention to detail working alongside a dynamic team of expert local craftsman, internationally renowned architects, and only the highest quality local and international suppliers. We are currently developing Canoneta Townhouse a 610m2 architectural property in Sóller which we are very excited about. We are also doing select work for clients, taking the same philosophy of paying attention to the architecture and heritage while having no compromise on the finish that these homes deserve.
At Kobu we’re always searching for Inspiration and hidden gems – what are your Mallorca recommendations?
Patiki Beach is our go-to, it is a new farm to table restaurant on the beach in Port de Sóller serving a fresh seasonal menu in a really relaxed environment. We also really like Aquanauta in Santa Catalina, Palma and also Ka Sui in Palma old town.
