SPECIAL CONTENT
- “In the new Club de Mar Mallorca, citizens will be able to make use of our services”
How did the Club de Mar become one of the leading yacht clubs and marinas for superyachts worldwide?
Club de Mar – Mallorca was founded in 1969 out of the need of sailors to promote nautical sports and offer a social headquarters. Over time, the port was expanded to accommodate large yachts, a key vision in 1973 when the maximum yacht lengths in construction were around 25 to 50 meters. It became the first facility in the Balearic Islands capable of hosting this type of yacht, making it the preferred destination for the superyacht sector.
After the extension of the marina concession, the club launched a major redevelopment project three years ago. Was it difficult to convince the members?
The extension of the concession was only possible if the project was qualified as of general and strategic interest for the city by the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands and Puertos del Estado. With this qualification and other requirements, the granting of the extension for 24 years and 4 months became possible. Convincing the partners was simple, as the preferential rights expired in October 2019, and the Assembly decided to go for the project.
What are the characteristics that have qualified the port as being of general and strategic interest for the city?
The access to the Club’s facilities is one of the most significant changes. The buildings are distributed between two access walkways, one from the Paseo Marítimo and the other from the cruise terminal. Although the marina will remain restricted access, citizens will be able to use our services.
At what phase are the works and what will the new area look like?
The port area work is complete, and the buildings are expected to be ready by the summer of 2025. A series of exhibitions and events will take place throughout the year, culminating in an official opening party in September.
The multifunctional and sustainable building, made of black pigmented concrete, is integrated with its surroundings, connecting city and port. In addition, the outdoor areas of the four buildings will be surrounded by vegetation. The design has been carried out by the architectural firm estudio_entresitio, led by María Hurtado de Mendoza Wahrolén and César Jiménez de Tejada Benavides.
How many and what sizes of moorings does the club have and are there moorings available for long stays?
We have 527 moorings: 66% are for boats under 20 meters, 21% for yachts between 20 and 40 meters, and the rest for larger boats, with capacity for vessels up to 170 meters. In addition, we can accommodate up to 70 yachts over 40 meters. We will also have moorings available for short stays, regardless of the length of the boat. On the other hand, the lack of moorings in the Balearic Islands is an obvious problem, and even if 1,000 more were added, it would still exist. In the nautical sector, there are always peak months, and no matter how much space there is, it would quickly fill up. It is better to be short and sustainable than the opposite effect.
How important is the superyacht segment for the club and for you personally?
The Club bet on large yachts in 1973, which has allowed it to maintain its international prestige, as evidenced by the visits of Koru and Black Pearl. These yachts require premium attention, safety, and high-quality services. In addition, Palma offers comfort for the crew with accommodation, airport, and schools. On a personal level, working with this type of vessel is extremely demanding but very satisfying.
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