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Oct 11 2023
Surface
Design Dispatch
The “artsy Aristotle” transforming a Greek island, Soho House Mexico City opens, and the Amazon’s hidden earthworks.
FIRST THIS
“Building the courage and confidence to put your work out into the world is something that anyone should be proud of.”
HERE’S THE LATEST

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Meet the “Artsy Aristotle” Behind Greece’s Calilo Resort

White stone facades, domed roofs of cobalt blue, influencers in billowing dresses, blocking the view: this is Greece in the popular imagination. A place to see a sunset, eat a salad, snap a pic… and, if you happen to be on the island of Mykonos, pay 40 Euro for a vodka soda.

One man is trying to change that: Angelos Michalopoulos, an Athens native who owns one third of the island of Ios, the peak-season tomato in the Santorini-Mykonos sandwich. Along with his wife, Vassiliki Petridou, and four of their five children, Michalopoulos has created a reason for discerning travelers to come to a splotch of land previously reserved for hippies and students: six hotels and restaurants, as well as a soon-to-come residential community, that cater to maximalists of all stripes. “We’re building something totally original, for people who appreciate beauty and nature but also want to have a good time and enjoy life,” he says, “which has been the Greek motto for like, 4,000 years—feasts, dancing, getting drunk, whatever else comes with it. That’s part of our DNA.”


The Patek of his portfolio: Calilo, a resort on the southeastern edge of the island, a world away from the 18-and-up clubs that populate the island’s Chora, or main town. Over the summer, Calilo unveiled a palatial spa that includes a fitness center with mosaic walls and couple’s suites with such words as “love” and “hope” stenciled in the ceiling. Corny? Not according to Michalopoulos, who designed every element of the property—“no interior designer, no architect, I do everything”—in accordance with his personal philosophies, which are detailed in 21 self-published books.

His sculptures and Pop Art–style paintings (a highway sign announcing “happiness, next exit”) are scattered throughout his properties. His studio, he says, is “everywhere.” It’s quite the turn for a self-taught trader who spent two decades on Wall Street before carving out pieces of paradise. On a recent spin around Calilo, Michalopoulos explains how his two identities—wolf of Wall Street, artsy Aristotle—have built a budding empire.

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What Else Is Happening?

Check-Circle_2x Plans are underway to convert London’s secret WWII tunnels into an experience center.
Check-Circle_2xClaude Cormier, the landscape architect known for his playful public spaces, dies at 63.
Check-Circle_2x Construction kicks off on Tokyo’s Torch Tower, soon to be Japan’s tallest skyscraper.
Check-Circle_2x New York’s upcoming Salon Art+Design fair will debut a dedicated jewelry section.
Check-Circle_2x New York’s recent law banning short-term rentals sparks a “black market” for Airbnbs.


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SURFACE APPROVED

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NYCxDesign Presents: Design Pavilion

For Archtober, New York City’s month-long celebration of architecture, NYCxDesign is highlighting the field’s advancements in sustainable and ethical practices with Design Pavilion: a series of public exhibitions and design talks.

This year, Design Pavilion takes to One World Trade Center and the Meatpacking District’s Gansevoort Plaza with three public exhibitions designed to inspire community gatherings and conversations about materiality, sustainability, social justice, and how they relate to architecture. Each site features design talks and special programming on its opening day, and from October 12–18, NYCxDesign will join forces with the Architecture & Design Film Festival to host screenings and talks at theaters across the city.

TRAVEL

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Soho House Throws Open the Doors to Casa CDMX

Mexico City’s status as a vibrant hub for art, restaurants, and culture is no secret, making Soho House’s newest property in the city’s Colonia Juárez neighborhood one of its most anticipated additions yet. The member’s club transformed a sprawling private estate into an elegant clubhouse complete with a library, music room, courtyards, a 20-yard pool, and multiple bars. In-house designers preserved the estate’s original finishes and intermingled Soho Home furnishings with vintage pieces and contemporary art by the likes of Claudia Peña Salinas, Clotilde Jimenez, and Dexter Dalwood.

Across the property’s cafés, restaurants, and bars, patrons can expect top-notch menus courtesy of Chef Christopher Kostow, who has a James Beard award and three Michelin stars to his name. There’s one catch: for now, non-locals will have to jockey for keys to the property’s four guest bedrooms—though the company hints at more to come.

CULTURE CLUB

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New York City Ballet’s Fall Fashion Gala Puts Its Best Foot Forward

Last week, Lincoln Center rolled out the red carpet for guests of New York City Ballet’s 75th anniversary gala. Known officially as the Fall Fashion Gala, this year’s event celebrated Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon’s new costumes for the Balanchine classic Who Cares? Gordon fashioned performance ensembles for vocalists Patti Lupone, Vanessa Williams, and Joshua Henry, who serenaded the packed David H. Koch theater with tunes by the legendary George Gershwin throughout the performance. Afterward, guests, dancers, and New York City Ballet leadership alike headed to the theater’s dazzling promenade for dinner, concluding the evening in spectacular fashion.

When was it? Oct. 5

Where was it? David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, New York

Who was there? Sarah Jessica Parker, Wendy Whelan, Fe Fendi, Fernando Garcia, Jeremy O. Harris, Andrew Kwon, Bronson van Wyck, and more.

NEW & NOTABLE

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What’s New This Month, From Our List Members

New & Notable is a cultural catchall that highlights interesting new products and projects from our brilliantly creative members of The List. With new releases, events, and goings-on, the below moments indicate the power they have to move the needle in realms like architecture, design, fashion, and art.


Cass Calder Smith: The architect of record for the Roman and Williams–designed Tin Building recently expanded their footprint at Jean Georges’ culinary hotspot at the South Street Seaport. Founding principal Cass Calder Smith was joined by design principal Taylor Lawson and project architect Yvonne Choy in creating a site-specific exhibition for Barbara Mensch’s collection of Seaport photography. An expansive catalog of black-and-white images dating to 1880 honors the site’s history to those who’ve come to enjoy its present.


AUX Architecture: The Los Angeles firm has transformed a century-old brick building downtown into The Art Room, an all-day café, bar, and art gallery. The kicker? AUX’s offices are just upstairs from the space, which received a restaurant design award from the AIA.

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THE LIST

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Member Spotlight: Ratana

Since 1980, Ratana has offered quality craftsmanship and timeless designs of outdoor furnishings. Inspired by legendary landscapes, Ratana debuted a range of furniture from traditional to contemporary that blends form and function with ease.

Surface Says: This outdoor furniture company elevates living spaces with high-quality pieces that channel nature’s finest elements and enhance the enjoyment of time spent at home.

AND FINALLY

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Today’s Attractive Distractions

Weird Brand Posting was funny for a second, but the jokes are wearing thin.

This multi-talented robotic dog is helping humans visit abandoned monuments.

New estimates suggest 10,000 earthworks could be hidden in the Amazon.

Kurt Cobain and Eric Clapton’s guitars may fetch $2 million at auction.

               


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