MATTHIAS KUHN

10
Though he has been leaving his mark on the Balearics’ property
scene for two decades now, it was only four years ago that he took
on Tagomago. Below: the island’s 101-year-old lighthouse. Plans
are in place to restore the quaint cottages that sit at its base
‘When I fi rst saw this island, I was amazed...
you can virtually reach out and touch Ibiza,
and it has extraordinary fl ora and fauna’
at the pier because that’s open to the
public.”
So in the end did you sail, or go in
your helicopter?
“In my helicopter, but only after
arranging an appointment on the
phone with the owner, a German
duchess.”
And you arrived at the island like a
German Robinson Crusoe.
“I was amazed, honestly. I loved it. A
private island next to Ibiza! The
house was Seventies-style and showed
all the signs of not having been lived
in for a long time. We came to an
agreement and the deal was done
four years ago.”
Did you begin renovating it
immediately?
“No. First I saw it with some friends
to decide what to do. Then, with the
help of interior designer Olga Ferrer,
we got the work under way. It’s turned
out beautifully, although there are
still a few tiny things to be sorted
out.
“While we were in the middle of
all the work, a famous German
journalist – a close friend of mine –
rang me to say she’d like to get
married in Tagomago because she
wanted total privacy. There’s only
one place where you can access the
island from the sea.”
And it’s not very big.
“It’s 40 hectares, 400,000m 2 . You can
walk around it in an hour.”
You can virtually reach out and touch
Ibiza.
“Yes, that too. You’ve got total privacy
and security but you’re not isolated
because the island’s only a kilometre
from Ibiza. Tagomago simply radiates
peace. The feeling of balance and
tranquillity makes you never want to
leave. Apart from using it, the plan is
to rent it out.”
There’s even a lighthouse.
“Correct. It’s 101 years old and is very
picturesque. There are two cottages
where the old lighthouse keepers
lived with their families. We’re now
going to renovate them through my
new Tagomago Island Foundation
for environmental and nature
projects.
“The island has extraordinary
flora and fauna. We’ve taken great
care of the environment.”
You’ve branched out as a real-estate
developer. Can you tell us about
that?
“Well, we specialise in luxury homes
and have carried out some truly
emblematic projects on Majorca.”
If your two sons have inherited your
tenacity, they’ll do well.
“I can’t say that for sure just yet. But
I’ve lived through a different era to
them. What I can say is that they’re
great lads...
“I’ve always tried to make them
appreciate the many blessings they
have in their lives... to make sure
they keep their feet on the
ground.”
H
PHOTOS: JAVIER ALONSO, PABLO
ROBLES AND KLAUS SIEPMANN
STYLING: ANNA Y HOLMSTROM
CO-ORDINATION: MARIA EUGENIA YAGUE
www.tagomago-island.com
HELLO1127p004-012.indd 10 03/6/2010 21:34:33