From the majestic cathedral that crowns the top of Dalt Vila to the winding, cobbled pathways and eclectic mish-mash of buildings held within its ancient walls, the historic port of Ibiza Town is characterised by its charming mix of architecture styles.
Stroll through its vibrant centre and ascend to UNESCO World Heritage site Dalt Vila on a balmy summer’s night, and you will encounter imposing stone structures and charming white sugar cube houses rubbing shoulders with elegant neoclassical facades in delicate pastel shades.
One particularly eye-catching jewel in the treasure trove of the old town is Palacio Orféo, its lemon-yellow front, stately wooden doors and intricate honey-coloured plasterwork standing out with regal splendour amongst the neighbouring bohemian structures.
It was exactly this hint of urban grandeur that made Palacio Orféo’s owner, Ève Cazes, fall in love with the enchanting townhouse the moment she set sight on it.
Situated just around the corner from the Mercat Vell, the property is just a short stroll away from the bustling port and the area’s many cocktail bars, restaurants and boutiques.
“It was my dream to own this house, but I thought the owners would never sell it. So the day after they put up the ‘for sale’ sign, I bought it,” Ève recalls.
Speaking of its desirable location, the French gemologist says, “I love living in town, because I can just pop downstairs and I have everything on my doorstep – for example, fresh tomatoes from the market or croissants from the famous Croissant Show bakery. And it’s only a 15-minute walk from the sea. It’s wonderful, it’s very easy. And you don’t need a car, which, for me, is a luxury.”
While Palacio Orféo defies common expectations of what the White Island’s architectural aesthetic should look like, the building is, in fact, steeped in Balearic heritage.
One of only a handful of buildings designed by Ibicencan architect Juan Gómez Ripoll – famed for creating the historic Gran Hotel Montesol and the newly reopened Teatro Pereyra in Ibiza Town – the property was built in 1896 and is an extremely rare find that offers the opportunity to own a veritable piece of island history.
“For me, this is the most beautiful house,” says Ève. “It reminds me of a Hotel Particulier; it looks completely different to the traditional buildings you see in Dalt Vila. Maybe in my subconscious it reminded me of Paris. But when I go out it’s Ibiza, it’s an adventure. So I love the contrast between these two worlds.”
Born in Paris and with a background in both the fashion and film industries, the charismatic businesswoman later transitioned into studying precious gemstones and opened a gallery specialising in vintage and antique designer jewellery. “It was dangerous, because I’ve been kidnapped – but I loved it!” she laughs.
Her love for Ibiza goes all the way back to the island’s hippy days, when she first arrived on its shores for a family holiday with her mother in 1973.
“I remember when the runway at the airport was just red earth And the roads, too, it was reminiscent of the movie Out of Africa. But so many interesting people were coming to the island. I come from a very ‘classical’ family, and my life in Paris could be very formal at times. So I loved seeing all the interesting and crazy characters that come to Ibiza,” Ève says.
“For many years, my friends were saying I was crazy to want to live on this hippy island – but now, everybody wants to live here.”
Ève’s innate sense of style and a passion for breathing new life into neglected properties have seen her renovate and redecorate a number of properties – and together with French architect Pascal Cheikh Djavadi, she spent three years completely gutting, restructuring and reinventing Palacio Orféo.
“I love to turn a ruin into something extraordinary,” Ève explains. “This house used to have a lot of rooms that were being rented out individually. But I didn’t want that: Space, light and no doors, that was the idea for this house. Also, privacy was a very important aspect.”
Works began in 2017, and the end result is as dazzling as a rare diamond. Modern, clean lines and an ample stream of sunlight highlight the masterful combination of Palacio Orféos historic original features with opulent materials and state-of-the-art mod cons.
In fact, you could say that having been designed by someone with such an avid passion for art and design, the design is reminiscent of a gallery in some parts – with plenty of wall space for paintings and nooks perfect for displaying sculptures.
One of the building’s stand-out features, a mirrored lift that takes visitors from the ground floor up into the open-plan salon and kitchen, could be mistaken for an art installation in itself.
Housing three bedrooms and five bathrooms across 464 sqm, the layout flows easily across four levels and offers plenty of privacy to its inhabitants.
“Despite the open spaces, even when I have friends staying here with me I don’t feel them. The interior was designed so everyone could have their own world,” Éve explains. “I wanted to create a really peaceful place, that was really important to me.”
With impeccable taste, Éve chose most of the materials and furnishings herself – with input from Cheikh Djavadi. While she sourced fabrics, furniture and art “from all over”, many came from France – and all of them are by renowned designers and artisans, such as Angelo Mangiarotti and Georgian duo Rooms Studio.
Standout details in the tastefully put together townhouse include the Sahara marble handrail that guides visitors out of the grand entrance hall up into the salon, floor-to-ceiling Emperador marble and antique Venetian mirrors in the master bathroom, and – of course – the unspoilt views on the iconic silhouette of Dalt Vila that can be enjoyed from the sun terrace on the top floor.
The overall effect is one of quiet luxury, modern elegance and a peaceful calm. “Out of all the houses I owned, I have been the happiest here,” concludes Ève.
Is she not tempted at all to keep this remarkable house for herself? Alas, no, as, the creative mastermind is already working on her next project.
“When I’m finished with a property I enjoy bringing it together with its perfect owners,” Ève says. “Now I found this very unique property in Puglia; in Italy they call this kind of building a ‘fontolo’. It’s an enormous space where they make olive oil, with a lot of stone and ceilings that are six metres high.”
So who does she envision living in the beautiful Palacio Orféo?
“Honestly, a couple with great taste, people who love to host guests and enjoy the finer things in life. Or a collector of paintings, an art lover, because you have a lot of walls, beautiful lighting and spaces to display art pieces.”
One thing is for certain – whoever will become the new owner of this unique property will not only gain a piece of Ibiza history, but a truly extraordinary home that embodies the spirit, travels and adventures of a visionary woman.
Palacio Orféo is listed with Fantastic Frank Ibiza. For further information or to arrange a viewing, get in touch by email via ibiza@fantasticfrank.com.
Pictures by Sayana Cairo.
