Tom Powell
INTERNATIONAL designer Philippe Starck is set to invest €15 million in a tourism project related to organic farming and olive oil.
Frenchman Starck, one of the world’s top designers, plans to renovate a historic oil factory on the outskirts of the mountain town.
The 66-year-old is already the artistic director of Ronda-based company La Amarilla, whose luxury olive oil sells in Harrods in London.
He described himself as a ‘lover of Andalucian spirit’ when he presented his latest plans to the Junta’s tourism minister, Luciano Alonso, in Malaga this week.
Starck, who has led cultural projects in New York and London as well as refurbishing Bilbao’s Corn Exchange in 2010, claimed the initiative will be ‘great for tourism in Andalucia’.
“The interest of a world-renowned designer like Starck highlights the extraordinary attraction that Andalucia has become worldwide,” insisted Alonso.
Other famous people who have raved about Ronda include chefs Jamie Oliver and Jean Christophe Novelli, UK prime minister David Cameron and DJ Fatboy Slim.
