Argentine Athlete on Making the Leap to Designing Luxury Homes
Nacho Figueras has designed his fame as a polo participant and stays a headliner for the sport all-around the environment. When he’s not on the subject riding horses in pursuit of a target, on the other hand, the Argentine athlete and occasionally model enjoys moonlighting as an architect and designer.
His foray into the inventive sphere commenced in 2018 when he and his wife, Delfina Blaquier, made stables in the countryside exterior of Buenos Aires beneath his corporation, Figueras Style Team. Most a short while ago, Mr. Figueras teamed with the notable Brazilian architect Carolina Proto on the new residences at Fasano Las Piedras in the seaside town of Punta del Este, Uruguay.
Comprising homes and a hotel, the residence debuted in 2011 and spans much more than 1,100 acres.
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Functions incorporate an Arnold Palmer-created golfing system, multiple swimming swimming pools and tennis courts, a spa, a seashore club, an equestrian centre and a polo program, also developed by Mr. Figueras.
Named The Polo Homes, his residences with Ms. Proto are configured as possibly 4,700-square-foot, three-bedroom residences or 6,500-sq.-foot houses with five bedrooms costs start out at $1.6 million. Mr. Figueras and Ms. Blaquier, who have 4 young children, are at this time overseeing the building of their own Polo House and anticipate to shift into the assets late subsequent yr.
The Buenos Aires-based Mr. Figueras, 45, spoke to Mansion Global about his plan of a excellent property, how he defines luxurious and why he thinks that Punta Del Este is 1 of the most magical destinations he has at any time noticed.
The Polo Homes
Delfina Blaquier
Mansion World wide: When did you initially develop into fascinated in architecture and design and style?
Nacho Figueras: I’ve always been fascinated in both but did not get associated in them professionally until eventually a handful of yrs ago, when Delfi and I helped design the stables in the Pampas just outdoors of Buenos Aires. They turned pretty well-known globally for the reason that they’re not your usual stables—we intended them to be present day and sculptural. They also have a yard on the roof.
MG: What led to your collaboration with Fasano Las Piedras?
NF: I have a handful of connections to the home. Very first, Delfi’s godfather owned the farm wherever it sits currently. She grew up heading there on summer holidays and often definitely cherished it. Her godfather at some point sold the farm to the Fasano family members for their challenge.
Second, a number of yrs ago, when I was at the opening of the Ralph Lauren retail store in Sao Paulo, I satisfied Jose Auriemo Neto, the chairman and CEO of JHSF, the developer of the undertaking. We kept in touch, and a couple yrs afterwards, we spoke about my functioning on a style for the house. That option just came to everyday living.
MG: Can you explain the aesthetic you and Ms. Proto made for The Polo Homes?
NF: My lifestyle revolves all over my household, and I needed a family home initial and foremost wherever everybody can be comfy and laid-again. A single of the bedrooms in the residence has six beds so young children can have their pals above for sleepovers. There’s also a swimming pool and a barbecue where by absolutely everyone can sit down about the hearth and cling out. Absolutely nothing is way too extravagant or substantial maintenance. We’re a beach front place, and the strategy is that absolutely everyone must be capable to come again from a working day at the beach front and walk about with sand on themselves devoid of experience like they are likely to damage anything.
MG: What factors did you use to provide this aesthetic to daily life?
NF: We utilised a large amount of regional woods to continue to keep the households somewhat sustainable and also relied on concrete and rocks. The properties have an indoor and out of doors really feel with sliding doorways that open up to patios. They also have roofs with hearth pits, outside showers and kitchens opening to the parrillas.
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MG: What is your connection to Punta del Este?
NF: Expanding up in Buenos Aires, we would getaway there each individual summer season for among a week to a month. I applied to commit my days likely to the seaside, playing tennis, riding horses and hanging out with my close friends from Buenos Aires who also utilized to family vacation there. Now I have that identical life with my individual family members in the place. We’re generally enjoying sports or at the seaside. On any supplied summer time week, we barbecue three to 4 times and hold out outdoors until eventually very well right after midnight. The kids are swimming until eventually after 10 p.m.
MG: In your impression, why is Uruguay an attractive spot to own a property for an affluent household buyer?
NF: Very first, the country is quite friendly to foreigners. It is straightforward to buy a residence there and open a bank account. It is also wonderful mainly because the winters are gentle, the locals are welcoming, and the meals is amazing—you get each higher-top quality meat and seafood. And there is a lot to do from having fun with the beach to other sporting activities like surfing, driving and fishing. The downtown is energetic and has excellent eating places, and I like that the crowd is international—you get folks from all above the world. It feels like the South American model of St. Tropez.
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MG: What is your definition of luxurious?
NF: Currently being able to commit time with my household in a amazing dwelling where by we can make reminiscences and entertain.
MG: How do you see your evolution as a designer? Do you have any other style and design jobs in the pipeline?
NF: I proven Figueras Structure Group in 2013, and we have jobs that we’re consistently doing the job on. Of system, I’m a polo participant initial, but as I get older and my profession slows down, I hope to delve into design and style far more seriously.
This interview has been edited for duration and clarity.
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