Ibiza, the 221-square-mile island off the eastern coast of Spain, is home to an exhilarating mix of natural beauty, vibrant nightlife, a growing number of award-winning restaurants and hillside homes and villages that date back centuries. Offering world-class entertainment alongside sun-soaked, scenic beaches, it’s clear why the White Isle has remained a global destination for decades.
Ibiza’s historic roots and picturesque seaside lifestyle are perfectly captured in a trio of standalone villas—Can Pep D’en Pere, Can Sans and Can Serra— represented by The Agency Development Group and Anne Burkin. Located on the south-eastern side of the island, each residence has been thoughtfully reimagined by developer Ingo Volkammer to meld existing architectural elements with modern amenities.
“Residential offerings and developments on the island are incomparable. Some properties are more than 400 years old,” says Ingo. “We’ve made it our specialty to focus on the reformation and remodeling of old fincas, which are country houses that are quite unique to the island. There is a lot of Moroccan, Arabic, Greek and Spanish influence in their architecture.”
Created in collaboration with Rolf Blakstad of Ibiza-based design firm Blakstad, each of the three villas boasts distinctive architectural features, pools and airy, spacious floor plans that epitomize the island’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle. “We mix the old with modern,” says Ingo. “However, we also recreate the old by crafting new developments designed to maintain the traditional structure of an Ibizan home.”
The fusion of old and new is evident in Can Pep D’en Pere’s rough wood-beamed ceilings, Spanish blue and white tilework and top-floor master bedroom, where traditional curved arches lead to a terrace with an astounding view of the sea and surrounding pine-covered hillsides. Adding to the 5,188-square-foot property’s historic feel is its lower terrace vineyard, which is filled with mature carob and almond trees, as well as centenarian olive trees.
Similarly, the 6,000-square-foot Can Sans villa opens to white and red earth terraces of fertile farmland, where ancient olive trees thrive alongside apple and orange groves. This farm house’s revitalization has maintained its archaic vernacular architecture with cubic shapes and rustic simplicity. It’s also just a short distance from the natural freshwater springs of San Rafael.
At 7,400-square-feet, Can Serra is the largest villa on offer and boasts views of the Phoenician fortified city “Dalt Vila” to the south, which can be enjoyed from a pergola-shaded outdoor dining area. Additional guests can slip away to the three-bedroom guest house just across from the property’s communal gardens. A private driveway and thick groves of native trees provide a sense of total seclusion—even though the lively island capital of Eivissa is a short drive away.
While the beauty of these three Ibizan sanctuaries is undeniable, they all adhere to subtle expressions of luxury. This is a design decision Ingo says honors the distinct interests of those seeking architecturally significant homes on the Mediterranean island.
As Ingo explains, Ibiza’s unique lifestyle cannot be compared to the U.S. or even the rest of Spain. “The island is very eclectic. People love simplicity and style—they don’t enjoy visual luxury but understatement instead. Billionaires drive old, scrappy Fiats and enjoy wearing flip flops to Michelin star restaurants, which are often not more than a beach shed. People in Ibiza respect the hippie culture and embrace the island’s history.”
“Buyers from all over the world come to Ibiza for its unique blend of historic pedigree, stunning natural beauty, distinct culture and acclaimed nightlife,” adds Anne. “While British, Swiss, German and Austrian buyers make up the largest share, more U.S., South American and Scandinavian buyers are investing in the island life, embracing Ibiza as an extraordinary place to call home.”
For more information about the villa offerings, contact Anne Burkin at 424.400.5912 or ABurkin@TheAgencyRe.com.