French designer Philippe Starck’s Spanish eco olive oil project gets Junta credit.

The second phase of the project, just outside Ronda, will involve a total outlay of around 11 million euros and include a museum and restaurant. The Junta de Andalucía is to allocate a 4.1-million-euro loan to investors who plan to build an olive oil mill and museum, designed by Philippe Starck, in Ronda. This project includes a mill, in the shape of a cube, «dedicated to the 100 per cent organic production of olive oil, its culture and gastronomy» that will have «the most avant-garde technology» and that «will be used for cultural, educational purposes and research”, explained the LA Organic Experience company. The regional government’s contribution will come mainly from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), announce the Minister of Finance, Juan Bravo, when he visited the town. This is the second phase of the LA Organic Experience facilities, which are located on a 25-hectare estate, a few kilometres from the town that is famous for its gorge and bridge. The first phase, which is already complete, offers an oleotourism route in which you can see six Starck sculptures, in addition to holding olive oil tastings and offering hotel accommodation. The LA Organic Experience company and investors have been promoting the initiative for several years. Starck is the firm’s creative director and co-founder. Bravo explained that the total investment is 11 million euros and that the objective of the Urban Development Fund is «to facilitate investments in Andalucía.» The Ronda project is the fourth endorsed by the Junta through this type of credit. Others include the restoration of the old Hotel Byblos in Mijas and the construction of what will be the largest student residence in Spain in Seville. «It is very important for Ronda,» said Bravo, adding that it is a project that favours sustainable development. Investors «will have to develop the plan before December 2023» but the minister pointed out that some contracts have already been signed with private sector collaboration. The mayor of Ronda, María de la Paz Fernández, stressed that it is a pioneering project that already has a building permit. «We hope that it is completed in the mid term, but they can start whenever they want,» she said.