Bravo Bruno!: Ibiza’s Bruno Reymond

Chiefly responsible for the beautification of the magical island of Ibiza, Bruno Reymond is the island’s leader in design and making magic.

By Sonia Tita Puopolo

[highlight_text] “Ibiza went through a phase of needing restaurants so I opened L’Elephant restaurant right next to the church of San Rafael. Then what was a hobby became a business…” [/highlight_text]

Chiefly responsible for the beautification of the magical island of Ibiza, Bruno Reymond is the island’s leader in design and making magic.

Like a magician, every project, whether it be his restaurants, homes, penthouses, stores, furniture designs, or even musical compilations Reymond creates success!

Ibiza, with an annual population of 70,000 people, host over 500,000 visitor’s turning the summer months. With its crystal clear waters and healing air, Ibiza known to be a hideaway for those who want to feel liberated from the stress of the world and become one with the beauty and nature. As well as those who want to celebrate life, Reymond plays an integral role. He has designed more than 100 homes in Ibiza throughout the island and his midas touch has touched homes and penthouses alike from Can Salinas to Can Cubells to Ibiza town. His latest project located near San Juan in the north of the island, is a luxury condo/ hotel concept on the grounds of a historical landmark.

Bruno Reymond is no novice to design and delivering what people want and need, as he created the successful restaurant in Paris, L’Elephant. In fact, Paris is where he first begun to remodel flats and express his artistic voice through design. His passion for elephants is clear as Bruno says, “I love elephants so I decided to call my first restaurant in Paris L’Elephant, and then it just stuck because I thought with great success I received, why change the name.”. Yet, that may be the only thing that doesn’t change as Bruno emphasizes and insist that he is inspired simply by, “What he loves and feels,” therefore, likes to change his designs according to fashion and time. It is evident that Bruno loves white as he carries the color throughout all his homes and projects! Asked about his philosophy and style behind each project and achievement, Bruno looks straight into my eyes and quickly responds, “I don’t have a specific style. I like to take from everything that I like and love. I love to mix wood and stone and hate marble.

I love to keep everything white and simple yet incorporate the flavor of Ibiza and Indonesia.” This Marseille born creative genuis originally started his career working in fashion in Paris so it is no wonder he loves and follows all that is fashionable and timely.

Bruno has created more than beautiful homes in Ibiza, as he has mastered the art of creating the perfect refuge. His homes look and feel like paradise. In his work, he incorporates a minimalist style in harmony with the natural beauty of the island. Moreover, his knowledge and wisdom of how to create a perfect space and use of the principals of feng shui and energy are evident not only in the home projects he has embraced, but also in choosing locations for his 3 restaurants.

Originally, Bruno came to Ibiza with friends and as he says, “Ibiza went through a phase of needing restaurants so I opened L’Elephant restaurant right next to the church of San Rafael. Then what was a hobby became a business when I followed and opened a Moroccan restaurant El Ayoun. I had just returned from a trip from Morroco, and was so inspired. So, I decided to design and create a special Moroccan space where people who hadn’t traveled to Morocco could actually feel, smell, and taste the flavors of Morocco.” As Sir Francis Bacon said in his book The Advancement of Knowledge, “Life is like a theatre….” Bruno is like the master of design constantly creating a new theatre set with all the elements of luxury style and elegance. He is famous for creating and recreating a fresh, fun, and fabulous atmosphere in his homes, penthouses, restaurants, and soon to be new luxury hotel! Amidst the constant activities of Ibiza, Bruno created or rather had famed superstar DJ and music producer, David Guetta and his wife Cathy, produce a music compilation for his concept stores which actually is on the list of top ten albums in Europe. (La Maison De L’Elephant album). Their partnership is not limited to creating a CD compilation. Bruno and David and Cathy Guetta along with architect Giorgio Brunetti, and investor and concept creator, Doumi Busturia, have all joined forces to create and be the first to meld design and musical genius in Ibiza. The property is a musical landmark as artists such as Bob Marley, Freddie Mercury, Duran Duran, and Frankie Goes To Hollywood have all recorded in the original studio built inside the original house structure. The studio had been built in the late 70s and throughout the 80s. The restaurant will be directed and created by world famous chef, Ferran Adria Elbulli, voted best chef in the world by The Times, a man who has inspired and is admired by many. This magnificent team is sure to create one of the most exclusive and new concepts in the world. The combination of world class music, food, and design is what defines Bruno Reymond and what better project than his new luxury hotel/residential palace in the magical white island of Ibiza. Bravo Bruno!!! As we finished talking, Bruno turned to me and with a huge smile and sparkling eyes made sure to say, “What Ibiza allows you to do you can do no place in the world!”. Thank you Bruno. May we see you in Miami too!