There are those who have good ideas and those who put them into practice. Bernat Vidal, CEO of Borbalán, and Paula Serra, editor of El Económico, are among those who have them and practice them. Thus, when they spoke about the possibility of holding a conference that would bring together a select group of professionals related to the Real Estate sector to present ideas, debate and converse about new trends, it was evident that the result would be a success.

This is how the Mallorca Real Estate Summit (MRES) was born, which celebrated its fifth edition on 16 April. The chosen venue was once again the Castillo Hotel Son Vida, as always, unbeatable. A full capacity, with a large number of returning attendees from previous editions ready to listen to a cast of participants of the highest level.

The day began with the presentation that Pedro Álvarez, economist from the Strategic Planning Department of CaixaBank Research, gave on “Real Estate Perspectives”. Following the line of Judit Montoriol, Álvarez provided data, graphs and figures with the intention of explaining the current situation and anticipating as far as possible the nearest future. He succeeded.

After a technical presentation, Jesús Cano, director of Elle Decor, showed us the other side of the moon. Friendly, simple, clear in his way of expressing himself, he made it clear to us that he avoids banal, repetitive, ostentatious luxury. To the point of avoiding in his publications the use of a noun too derogatory for his way of understanding the concept.

As in previous editions, one of the highlights of the menu is having one of those architects who set trends with their works. Ramón Esteve, from Ramón Esteve Estudio, is one of these chosen ones. His dialogue with Jesús Cano “In search of harmony” fell short for us, but it was as interesting as it was enlightening. It is worth diving into Esteve’s work to verify his worth and talent.

The continuation returned us to reality. Jaime Martínez, mayor of Palma and vocational architect, spoke with Maria Cruz Rivera, territorial director of CaixaBank in the Balearic Islands, about “Palma in evolution, financing, land and solutions for the demographic challenge”. It was not easy to provide clear ideas, a real vision of the future and a message of optimism, but they achieved it with ease. Palma and CaixaBank, city and financial institution, both leaders, both references, each in their field.

The participation of José Luis Mateo, minister of Housing, Territory and Mobility, is always to be appreciated. If he also does it to share space and dialogue with Climent Olives, president of the Association of Builders, Óscar Carreras, president of Proinba and Daniel Arenas, president of Abini, the challenge is formidable. Javier del Hoyo, head of the tax area in the Balearic Islands of KPMG, led the conversation “Seeking balance in the Balearic Islands. From regulation to commercialisation”. The result made it clear that it is essential to regulate with criteria, listening to all the actors in the sector, taking advantage of their proposals and establishing a clear framework so that all participants know the rules of the game and take advantage of them.

Next, a leap to change register and talk about hotels, capital and high-level investments. This was done by Beatriz Menéndez-Valdés, director of Veltaro Hospitality at Balsson Property Investments, and Fernando Martínez, partner responsible for tourism and leisure at KPMG Spain. Under the title “Attraction of capital, excellence and global trends”, they presented ideas and projects, such as that of the Corso hotel in Ibiza, to give a clear and profitable vision of what it means to redefine a hotel, add value to it, give it a new positioning, a new brand and a new category. When those who speak are leaders in knowledge, but also in management, the result obtained is totally satisfactory.

After the refreshing coffee, a talk with a seemingly easy question to answer: “Why does everyone have their eyes on the Balearic Islands?”. Those chosen were Luis Díaz, delegate in the Balearic Islands and head of the luxury area of Tecnitasa, and Paula Serra, editor of El Económico.

Luis Díaz referred to the report that his company has prepared on the evolution of luxury and ultra-luxury real estate and its trends. He also left us a concept that he uses when he speaks of the existence of two markets in the sector: the traditional one and the luxury ecosystem or “prime”. Anecdotes, curiosities and data to confirm that if Madrid, as a city, competes with Paris or London, the Balearic Islands play in the league of the Côte d’Azur or Miami. Paula Serra set the bait for Luis to tell us his peculiar vision of the ultra-luxury homes he is in charge of valuing and in which concepts as difficult to quantify as energy, calm or well-being are valued, but which are totally essential when quantifying a home. Both agreed that the security provided by Spain, in general, and the Balearic Islands, in particular, are an indisputable strength of the sector. He also highlighted the reference made to the fact that ultra-luxury no longer only occurs on the coast, but is gradually advancing unstoppably towards the interior of Mallorca as well.

But if fame costs, so does luxury. And you have to pay for it. Those who know most about how to do it are Raimon Serra, commercial director of TQ Eurocredit, and Omar García, director of the Real Estate Business Centre of CaixaBank. Pep Verger, director of El Económico, was the one chosen to extract all the information. It was clear to us that the two are not competitors in the market, but rather complement each other in offering the best possible solution to the projects presented to them. Different phases, different ratios, same objectives: to ensure that the client achieves the expected success in their project so that they can obtain an equal triumph. The complementarity of traditional and alternative financing guarantees viability.

A brilliant conversation, directed with agility, which gave way to a conversation between José Manuel Moreno, general director of Gunni & Trentino, and Manuel Burgos, architect director of Manuel Burgos Arquitectura y Diseño, about Marbella and Mallorca. Two different realities, two sides of a common coin. It was interesting and educational, in addition to showing us two different visions of the same idea, a common interest.

A great interest is what Palma, and the entire Mediterranean, have in knowing its new Club de Mar and the transformation that it has brought about in its maritime façade. If until now we have suffered the works, the time has come to enjoy its performance. José Luis Arrom, general manager of Club de Mar Mallorca, and César Jiménez de Tejada, doctor of architecture and co-founder of Estudio Entresitio, explained its inner workings and novelties to us. The reinvention of the old Club de Mar into the new one represents a fantastic challenge as it must incorporate new technologies, new constructions and new concepts while maintaining the essence and elegance of the old facilities, which will always be a part of Palma’s heritage of memory.

Susanna Mander, Global Director of Brand Expansion of Meliá Hotels International, gave a brilliant and concentrated presentation on Branded residences, their brand, experience and exclusivity. She explained her references, the peculiarities offered by Meliá and what her vision of the future is for this concept, which is increasingly in demand in the sector. The mixture of a great brand with a great real estate project is a guarantee of success if managed properly, and they do it.

And as real estate, especially prime, is not nourished only by bricks, we always have actors who are increasingly essential in any project. Toni Ballester, owner and CEO of Estel; Álvaro Palomino, Head of Projects Business Iberia of Miele; Daniel Romero, general manager of Almacenes Femenías, and Lourdes Vázquez, Studio Manager of Jardins Tramuntana, presented diverse opinions, offered solutions and added complements to ensure that real estate projects go from dream to reality. The conversation for four, moderated by Paula Serra, provided freshness and more than useful ideas.

La jornada concluía sus paneles y mesas de debate y diálogo con la presentación de un caso de éxito en formato de entrevista-conversación con Bernat Vidal, el de Mariana Muñoz, fundadora de Terraza Balear. Una trayectoria vital y empresarial marcada por la búsqueda de un objetivo: triunfar en sus propósitos. Lo que empezó como una pequeña compañía dedicada a la venta de muebles de terraza acabó convirtiéndose en un referente del mercado, creando espacios, vistiendo hogares y haciendo de cada casa un lugar tan acogedor como exclusivo. Mariana es, en sí misma, un verdadero lujo como empresaria y, sobre todo, como persona.

Marga Prohens, president of the Government of the Balearic Islands, closed the day with a message of realism, but with an optimistic vision of the future that awaits us if we are able to face it with the necessary courage and determination.

They say that there is no bad fifth and this edition of the Mallorca Real Estate Summit confirms it. The challenge is to overcome it next year, but with the support of our sponsors, top-level speakers and the high standards of the attendees, it will surely be possible.

There is less time left to see it.