The news story that made international headlines last week was Brad Pitt’s quick trip to Croatia to visit a proposed €1.5 billion luxury real estate development site. Pitt flew in and out of Zadar airport and visited Šibenik, Zablaće, and Biograd na moru.
While headline titles were adorned with “Brad Pitt Visits Croatia” and photos of the favorite actor were posted from some of our most loved tourist attractions on the Adriatic, we later learned the purpose of Pitt’s quick dip on Croatian territory: a billion and a half euro luxury real estate development.
It turns out that Pitt’s visit to the coast, although short, was spent making moves while he toured the site of the proposed luxury development in Zablaće, near the popular town of Šibenik.
Pitt was not alone but rather in a group of 10 others, including internationally acclaimed architect Nikola Bašić – the designer of the famous Zadar sea organ and the D-Resort in Šibenik. Bašić is also behind the design of the proposed development in Zablaće, with Swiss investors TFI reportedly investing alongside Pitt.
The development in Zablaće will see luxury villas and hotels, a golf course, restaurants, and shops – transforming the area into a full fledged resort. The project cost is €1.5 billion.
This project would further add to the suddenly thriving Šibenik, with the opening of D-Resort in 2015 and the 2016 summer opening of En Vogue Beach Club at Hotel Solaris already a hit in the town. Another definite enhancement to Šibenik is, of course, the highly acclaimed Obonjan festival. Just off the coast of Šibenik, Obonjan is in its first edition this year (ending tomorrow), and is a two month long retreat boasting everything from live bands to music workshops, yoga practices, cinema, art installations and clean eating.
This is not the first time Pitt has looked to invest on Croatian soil. Back in 2012, Pitt was looking to invest alongside Danko Končar to build a luxury waterfront resort opposite the Brijuni Islands in northern Croatia. The proposed project, under the working title ‘Barabriga’, was set to include hotels, villas, a golf course and a marina, states Digital Journal.
Fortunately for Pitt, he did get to see more of our Croatian coast than just a future development site. Pitt visited the St. James Cathedral in Šibenik and stayed at Bašić designed hotel D-Resort. Pitt also sailed the coastline by boat to Biograd na moru. Pitt, most importantly, considered Croatia “the most beautiful country he has ever visited” and was fascinated with the clean sea and intensity of the colors, recalls famous architect Nikola Bašić.
In addition to Pitt, the Croatian coast has invited in a plethora of international celebrities this summer including Bono, Reese Witherspoon, members of the Black Eyed Peas and Nicole Sherzinger. We even welcomed the yacht of Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich.
Photo of Abramovich yacht by Paul Bradbury
What a summer 2016 it has been.
