The Spanish kings also appreciated the location, as their summer residence is just a few steps away. The most famous painter attracted to the island is Joan Miró. His estate is also in the immediate vicinity of Torre Blanca.
The German owner of the house, Mrs Michaela Hueffer, is doing everything she can to preserve the original architectural beauty from the 1960s. However, she has decided to open up this jewel due to the high maintenance costs. Guests can now spend the night here and enjoy the marvellous view of the bay of Palma, the wonderful guest house bungalow and the pool.
Torre Blanca’s owner in an interview:
Oliver:
‘Hola Michaela, you live in an exceptionally designed villa, how did you get there? Finding such a unique place is like winning ‘El Gordo’, isn’t it?’
Michaela, Torre Blanca:
Nods and laughs: ‘Yes, I would have needed it now. After all, considerable investment is needed to maintain Torre Blanca.’
Oliver:
‘So how do you envisage the future of Torre Blanca?’
Michaela:
‘The best thing would clearly be to win the lottery, perhaps in the person of a similarly ambitious fellow campaigner.’
Michaela, laughs:
‘For me, it’s gender-neutral, I’m happy to have female or male business partners…’
Oliver:
‘What could this collaboration look like?’
Michaela:
‘There are several ideas. I can well imagine turning the lovely Torre Blanca into a foundation. This would create a place where creative people can exchange ideas, develop new projects and create synergies. Another way would be to find someone who, like me, falls in love with the uniqueness of this building and wants to preserve it. They should either want to wait twenty years themselves or buy it for a child or grandchild as a kind of life annuity. Of course, it could also be a combination of both suggestions. Come up with new ideas!’
The monument must be preserved
The characteristic tower of Casa Torre Blanca shines brightly in the sunshine. Everyone agrees: this design icon must be preserved.
Oliver:
‘Why don’t you tell us about Michaela Hüffer’s life? You really have a very exciting life and are still in the middle of your activities. What have been the outstanding cornerstones of your life, Michaela? Where does this bubbling creativity come from?’
Michaela:
‘I wanted to study art in Munich, where I already had a place. But then I bit the dust … in the truest sense of the word. To recover after the accident, in which I also broke my right hand three times, I went to Mallorca, where we had been holidaying regularly since 1968. No sooner said than done. After a short intermezzo in Hamburg, I went to Georgsplatz to study foreign languages.
The wild 1980s on Mallorca
I experienced the ‘wild 1980s’ and was inspired by music and art. These inspirations and also my recovery progress on our sunny island led me to open a boutique with my own designs and creations in 1982. Thanks to my proximity to Ibiza, I brought the craziest fashion to Mallorca. TOP AS hit like a bomb. My hand-knitted jumper creations were practically snatched out of my hands for 59,000 pts.
The competition never slept, people copied my designs and I opted for shoes. Because they’re not so easy to imitate. You can steal the idea, but building the right last is an art. The shoe business was successful, but the global financial crash in 2008 ushered in a new era. So I had to develop new ideas.
Villa Kunterbunt and … Torre Blanca
At the time, I was living in Andraitx in the Villa Kunterbunt. One day I ‘accidentally’ drove past ‘Torre Blanca’, which had a ‘Se Vende’ sign on it. One look over the wall and I was hooked! The two houses in Andraitx were quickly sold and I moved into my dream home, which I loved even then and where I still feel completely happy today.’
There are always amazing moments on Mallorca. Even in January, this island can still surprise even Mallorca connoisseurs! The magnificent Torre Blanca Mallorca property is located on a tranquil hill above Palma in the Cala Mayor district and is just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of the island’s capital. The artistic design of the house from the 1960s was created by the local artist Onofre Prohens Payeras and can confidently be described as unique. The view of the bay of Palma can be described as sensational…
Oliver:
‘Michaela, the upkeep of this beautiful property certainly costs a fortune, especially to preserve the originality of your artistically designed house.’
The marvellous stone façade is considered unique, together with the tower of the house…
Michaela, nods…
Oliver:
How can this 1960s villa be preserved for posterity?
Michaela:
‘I would like to keep this marvellous property. I’ve already received several offers to sell it. Even for a lot of money. But: then it would be demolished and a faceless luxury apartment block would be built here, as there are already countless others. Four years ago, I started renting out the guesthouse via Airbnb, for which I was able to obtain a licence before the moratorium. It was incredibly successful and also interesting.
I met exciting people from all over the world and made friends with some of them. 2020 also started very promisingly, but … In mid-March, the lockdown set in and all bookings were cancelled… At the end of June 2020,
I had hope that things could continue, but … the euphoria only lasted a few weeks, because the German government issued a warning against travelling to Mallorca in mid-August and bookings and sales were once again cancelled. Without alternative opportunities to earn money. And there are so many elements in this house (such as the original iron windows, marvellous woodwork in the interior, the garden) that need constant care and attention.
Oliver:
‘How do you imagine Mallorca and your life in 2030?’
Michaela:
‘My Torre Blanca and me in 2030? I imagine that this beautiful building will have become a meeting place where the art scene from near and far has a fixed point for creative recreation, inspiration and the realisation of many joint ideas and projects. I can just see myself lying by the pool with you, Oliver, and we’re toasting the fact that we’ve reached the right person with this interview.’
Oliver:
Thank you so much for your time and your story Michaela. Good luck with your lovely Torre Blanca and for your plans.
