The iconic Parisian brand Silencio launched a beach house in Ibiza, El Silencio, on the 16th June 2021, in partnership with ToShare (restaurant concept by Jean Imbert, Pharrell Williams), Miranda Makaroff, Moredesign and Arman Naféei.
Nestled in a serene cove in the east of the island, El Silencio is set against the backdrop of Cala Moli, a wild beach that was prolific in the 70s. The beach house features four main spaces, including a main restaurant, contemporary tapas restaurant by the pool alongside a cocktail bar, a private dining room and chill out area. There is a rich cultural programme on offer including screenings, music and events, in a similar vein to Silencio’s much sought-after Paris club.
CULTURE & CONNECTION
El Silencio is a hangout for global creatives, at a time when people are seeking inspiration, revitalisation, and much-needed human connection. The new venture promises to provide space and sanctuary for locals and island visitors alike, with an eclectic mix of Mediterranean cuisine, delicious cocktails, and unpredictable cultural programming.
The new venture follows the brand’s successful pop-ups during Miami Art Basel, Cannes Film Festival, Venice Biennale and London’s Serpentine Gallery Future Contemporaries and will positively disrupt Ibiza’s buzzing cultural scene at a time when the island is already soul-searching about its future direction. El Silencio has been inspired by the island’s enduring spirit; connecting people through a fun, laid-back, open ambience.
“For us, Ibiza is a natural destination for a new cultural hub because it’s always attracted creative communities from around the world. The island is local and global, with an innate appreciation for craftsmanship, culture, and a loving and local spirit. The island’s independent spirit – fused together by music, fashion, design, and art – feels both natural and familiar for Silencio.” -Arnaud Frisch, founder & owner of Silencio
FOOD & COCKTAILS
Cuisine is spearheaded by ToShare the restaurant concept created by French chef Jean Imbert in collaboration with Pharrell Williams. Cocktails are fronted by Madrid-based bartender Diego Cabrera, owner of Salmon Guru, included in the World’s 50 Best Bars. El Silencio is also home to an immersive large-scale art installation by internationally acclaimed Ibiza based artist, Miranda Makaroff.
Following the successful launch of renowned French chef Jean Imbert’s restaurant ToSHARE in St Tropez last year in collaboration with Pharrell Williams, the pair have adapted the concept for an Ibizan audience. ToSHARE at El Silencio offers high quality street food to share, made from locally sourced products. The beach house is also home to a contemporary tapas restaurant by the pool, serving small plates throughout the day. A takeaway option to be enjoyed on the surrounding beach reflects Silencio’s intention to make this a place open to everyone visiting Cala Moli.
DESIGN
El Silencio has been designed by Mallorca-based architecture studio Moredesign, known for their contemporary approach to design using traditional practices and construction methods. Taking design cues from visions of the 70s, the central spaces of El Silencio offer up an eclectic array of bold designs and colours.
The design was guided by a desire to return the original beach house back to its 1970s roots, with architecture that is more synergetic with the sandy cove and unspoilt natural landscape.
By contrast, the rest of the beach house has been designed to mirror its surroundings, the beach house has been reshaped using traditional and local materials for the two restaurants, including sabina wood, stones, sand, and esparto light fixtures.
“Ode to our Silencio friends; thank you for this shooting star experience and creating a pause in nature. It’s the Silence our beautiful blue planet is asking for… Long live the Creative Spirit of Ibiza” – Moredesign
The branding and visual identity of El Silencio has been spearheaded by M/M (Paris).
“We will be offering a new kind of experience – a beautiful mess that rekindles the laid-back, inter-connected vibe of the 70s, where all ages and backgrounds mix and will want to spend hours together. Quality, comfort, and island simplicity have guided us to create this special place on the sand.”
– Arnaud Frisch, founder & owner of Silencio
CALA MOLI
A lesser-known area of the island, Cala Moli is known to locals as one of the best secret spots to celebrate the sunset during the Ibizan summer. These storied sands are also steeped in local mythology, which will be explored over the course of the summer. The intimate location of the beach house provides easy boat access for guests wanting to moor for lunch or dinner.
The pool area is surrounded by sofa beds with a cocktail bar accompanied by DJ’s playing Balearic sounds throughout the day and into the night. Along with acclaimed DJs during the season, there will also be an exciting cultural programme of events, talks, performances and pop-ups throughout the summer. The beach house is open 7 days a week from noon until 1am.
Silencio have partnered with prolific Directeur d’ambiance Arman Naféei, previously of The Chateau Marmont in LA, to oversee Music Direction for the beach house. Naféei will also record episodes of his much-loved interview podcast ARE WE ON AIR? on-site in Ibiza this summer.
The central space of the beach house offers a chill-out area for co-working, a charging station and a pop-up shop that will be curated by local artists from Ibiza and the surrounding islands. This space will also be home to Miranda Makaroff’s large-scale immersive art installation ‘The Octopus Visit’, inspired by a magical encounter that the artist had while spending a day in Formentera, just across the sea from Cala Moli. The giant ocean-inspired artwork presents a playground of colour in which Makaroff’s bold signature style reigns free.
“I feel so honoured to be working with Silencio. For me it’s a dream to work with a team that has revolutionized culture, achieving a mix of what is modern with what is elegant; and what is intellectual with what is fun. Concepts that for some may seem opposite, but they all resound inside their clubs.
On this installation I’m bringing a very own experience I had on the Sea, just a couple kilometres away El Silencio. An encounter with an octopus that I have now translated into a retro-surrealistic space that I hope guests enjoy as much as I have done while designing it.” – Miranda Makaroff