Design icon Philippe Starck, one of the most celebrated and commercially successful designers in the world, is seeking to weave his particular brand of magic on a property in Malta.
Yoo, the design and development company he co-owns with John Hitchcox - one of Europe's most creative and influential property developers, has already established a local representative and is actively seeking a property that can be given the Yoo stamp.
In an exclusive interview with Modern Elegance, the fashion and style magazine due out in The Times tomorrow, Mr Starck and Mr Hitchcox explain in detail the concept behind Yoo, which is simple, but carries phenomenal results.
Yoo works with local designers, architects and craftsmen to develop projects that respect the local culture, meet the legal criteria and, most importantly, do so within a stipulated budget.
"Yoo's approach to property development means relying on local knowledge and resources but adding a layer of diverse and original features in order to customise and individualise, guaranteeing each property to be unique and desirable," Mr Hitchcox said.
As he explained, the benefits are many: giving added value to the project's bottom line; increased sales rates; a profile lift to local designers, architects and craftsmen and an increased press and marketing muscle.
Yoo has already designed and developed properties in major cities worldwide, including London, Miami, Sydney, New York, Hong Kong, Madrid and Buenos Aires. It markets its international properties through its own global network, giving local developers the opportunity of having their properties listed and promoted to a growing band of international property investors, who follow Yoo with interest, not only because Mr Starck and Mr Hitchcox revolutionise traditional design philosophies, making the properties unique in comfort and lifestyle profile, but also because Yoo properties are sound investments and appreciate faster.
"Yoo projects have, in fact, been very successful in stagnant, or slowing markets, where they are welcomed as a breath of fresh air and revitalise the market." Mr Starck is renowned the world over for his outstanding work. In Japan alone, the government gave him carte blanche to design outlandish buildings, which have become tourist attractions in their own right.
Hotels designed by Starck are enormously successful and enjoy a 20-per-cent increase on average occupancy rates. Staying in a Starck Hotel is an experience in its own right, with design features that not only intrigue, but also involve the occupant.