The idea of holding a conference that brings together the best in real estate to present ideas, trends, and opinions was initiated a few years ago by Borbalán and El Económico, Grup Serra’s business newspaper, and has now materialised in a conference with a set date.

The 4th edition of the Mallorca Real Estate Summit (MRES) was held at the Castillo Hotel Son Vida, achieving remarkable success with participants, attendees, and sponsors. The event was sold out once again, attracting key players in the real estate sector who aimed to maximize their presence.

As every year, the day begins in style. The dialogue between Nekane Domblás, a journalist from the newspaper Ultima Hora, and Jaime Martínez, an architect by profession and Mayor of Palma, gave us a first-hand insight into the challenges the capital of the Balearic Islands is facing. Palma is a city in constant evolution, which must assume and manage its role as a residential destination, as well as a tourist destination, for an ever-increasing number of people.

Next, a must at the Mallorca Real Estate Summit, was the presence of Judit Montoriol, chief economist at CaixaBank Research. Her presentation was brilliant, accurate, and full of data that helps us understand the situation we are in and anticipate what may come. Her participation and ability to convey the information she manages are truly a luxury.

She was followed by Carlos Bardavío, head of the Real Estate sector at KPMG in Spain. His presentation, “Beyond Living: Investment Trends,” sparked interest in new housing and residential or office-related modalities. Having KPMG- one of the members of the exclusive Big Four club- highlights the importance of MRES.

Subsequently, the first multi-sector dialogue panel commenced with the participation of José Luis Mateo, Conseller d’Habitatge del Govern; Sandra Verger, Director General of the Asociación de Constructores de Baleares (Balearic Builders’ Association); Daniel Arenas, Chairman of ABINI; and Daniel Caballero, Director of Real Estate Business at CaixaBank. The dialogue was conducted by Hans Lenz, managing director of Engels&Völkers, who knows the secrets of the industry like no one else.

Following them, another luxury. The conversation between Paula Serra, audiovisual director of Grup Serra, and Tristán López-Chicheri, Senior Partner and CEO of L35 Arquitectos, enabled the audience to engage with one of the most prominent architects of the moment. Tristán is responsible, among other projects, for the renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and is actively involved in the new urban development plan for future Madrid. His ideas inspire urban developments ranging from luxury residences in the desert to sports stadiums and office complexes. His projects span from India to the United States, with a notable presence in Spain and several works in Mallorca.

Though it wasn’t easy to keep up, Antonio Pan de Soraluce, founder of Blasson, one of the most important consultancy firms in the real estate market, successfully managed to do so. The main theme of his presentation is exceedingly relevant today: Branded Residences. He effectively explained the concept, engaged the audience, and made them recognize the significance of the product he represents. The prominent brands that lend their name to this residential concept are more than just a marketing claim; they embody the essence of the project and its fundamental purpose. High-quality services are the luxury that buyers of these residences actively seek. Branded Residences are no longer a vision for the future; they are a reality of the present.

The recent debate and discussion panel featured Pedro Soria, director of strategy and business development at the Tecnitasa Group, as moderator; Bernat Martinéz, managing director of TQ Eurocredit; Christian Ahler, managing director of Ahler Group; Omar García, director of the real estate business centre at CaixaBank; and Fernando Martínez Comas, the new head of tourism at KPMG. The dialogue was fluid and engaging, covering classic financing, alternative financing, or a combination of both. They discussed credit proposals that facilitate the realisation of useful, risky, or innovative projects. From their varied perspectives, they shared a common goal: to secure the best possible financing for customers at the right time. This is the objective they aim to achieve.

The dialogue between Bernat Vidal, CEO of Borbalán, and José Manuel Moreno, CEO of Gunni & Trentino, was also successful. They shared a business vision in the first person, detailing the intricacies of the merger with Terraza Balear and how they have managed to preserve the essence of both companies, resulting in a combination that multiplies their creative and service potential rather than merely adding to it. Exclusivity and personalization are key factors in their work.

Pep Verger, director of El Económico, faced a challenging task, which he approached with great success. He moderated a panel on the renovation of historic properties, discussing their challenges and valuations. The panel featured esteemed professionals: Tomeu Simonet, CEO of Vivendes Santacilia, a developer specializing in the refurbishment and transformation of luxury residences in the old town; Luis Días, head of the luxury residential segment at the Tecnitasa Group, an expert in the market and its valuations; Francisco VilaCEO of the Arabella Group, currently refurbishing and transforming a large manor house in Son Quint into a residential complex that retains the value and essence of the possessió it once was; Jaime Oliver, architect at OLHAB, one of the most prestigious architectural firms in the Balearic Islands, as noted by his colleagues. The panel shared anecdotes, reflections, and ideas on converting the rehabilitation of historic properties into modern pieces that maintain their identity and preserve the rich history they embody.

Real estate encompasses a wide range of sectors, and the panel moderated by Mariana Muñoz, founder of Terraza Balear, exemplifies this. Lourdes Vázquez, Studio Manager of Jardins Tramuntana; Jerónima Jaume, Product and Design Manager of Almacenes Femenías; Toni Ballester, Owner and CEO of Estel; and Jaume Mairata, CEO of Industrias Mairata, explained with brilliance and clarity how they participate in and influence architecture from their diverse positions. They are key players in ensuring projects achieve the luxury and exclusivity that customers demand. Their role involves being in the spotlight without drawing attention, emphasizing views or landscapes, remaining unobtrusive yet serving as fundamental parts of the projects.

After this last panel, the final expert who shared his experiences with us was Javier Plazas, a professor at the Instituto de Empresa, strategic consultant, digital transformer, and expert in blending luxury with culture, among other areas. He is one of those multifaceted freethinkers- interesting and thought-provoking. His presentation titled “Crocodile that sleeps is a wallet: Strategy, trends, and cultural transformation in the luxury sector” was equally educational, entertaining, and engaging. He can make you question the relationship between luxury and rap, the exclusivity of graffiti, or how major brands are adapting to new communication styles without sacrificing their status. This is a finding worth considering.

Logically, the day had to end on a high note, and the closing words of the president of the Govern, Margalida Prohens, met expectations. Access to housing is a priority that public authorities have among their key objectives. While the mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, and the housing councillor, José Luis Mateo, had already made statements to this effect, the president merely reaffirmed the commitment of the main public officials to addressing the housing shortage. It will not be easy, but it cannot be said that they have not tried with all the means at their disposal.

The fourth edition of the Mallorca Real Estate Summit is now complete, having received an excellent reception from all attendees.

We can only thank the sponsors, without whom everything would be much more complicated; the speakers, who enlighten us with their knowledge; and the attendees, whose feedback encourages us to prepare for the next edition. Of course, we also extend our gratitude to the Borbalán and Grup Serra teams, who consistently ensure that nothing goes wrong and that everything goes according to plan.

One day less to celebrate the 5th edition! We look forward to seeing you again with the same enthusiasm and eagerness to surpass this year’s standards.