Historic estate to remain in Majorcan hands

The emblematic Majorcan estate of Raixa has been bought by the Council of Majorca and the Ministry for the Environment in a controversial move as a German fashion designer had also made an offer for the estate. The 1'400 million peseta deal was announced yesterday and the local authorities congratulated themselves on the fact that Raixa would remain in Majorcan hands. It had appeared that fashion designer Jill Sander would end up owning the Bunyola estate as her offer had been accepted by the owners. However, the local authorities have always had first refusal and ownership looks set to go to them. This was annunced yesterday by minister Jaume Matas, and Council president Maria Antònia Munar, who said that the estate would be managed by a joint committee made up by representatives of the two administrations. Under the agreement the ministry would own two thirds of the estate, declared of cultural interest in 1993, while the Council of Majorca would own the remaining third. Munar explained that the cost of refurbishing the building and its maintenace would be paid for by the ministry. Raixa will be also used for receiving visiting dignitaries. Because the estate had been declared of special interest, the Council of Majorca had the right to match any offer to buy. Initially it was feared that the money would not be forthcoming, as the administration had already negotiated an agreement, under which, it would purchase Raixa for 1.260 million pesetas, and when Sander made her counter-offer, Matas said the he would not take part in an auction.