The renowned Ibiza superclub Privilege, a staple in the island’s vibrant nightlife, is poised for a significant transformation. This development comes as the island’s Tourism Planning Commission, as Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera reported, has greenlit a major renovation plan for the club. Having been closed since 2019, the San Antonio-based venue is set to receive a hefty €8.2 million investment from local government funds. This funding initiative is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate key tourist attractions across Ibiza.
The Privilege renovation plan includes more than aesthetic upgrades. It includes installing solar energy systems and improving water circulation, signaling a shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly operations. This move has ignited discussions and rumors about the club’s potential reopening, especially considering its significant capacity of 10,000 guests.
Privilege’s renovation is part of a larger scheme that also benefits four other tourist establishments on the island. Notably, San Antonio’s Palladium del Hotel Palmyra and Apartamentos Es Cantó in Playa d’en Bossa are set to receive similar funding. These renovations are expected to increase star ratings for these establishments, further boosting Ibiza’s appeal as a premier tourist destination.
Mariano Juan, the Minister of Tourism Planning, spoke to Periódico de Ibiza y Formentera about the strategy behind these investments. He highlighted the government’s focus on encouraging private investment to modernize and enhance the sustainability of hotels and other tourist facilities. Importantly, these efforts aim to improve without expanding the number of tourist places, ensuring a balance between development and preservation.
Privilege, known for its massive capacity and iconic status in Ibiza’s nightlife scene, has been sharing updates about its renovation process. Since June of the previous year, the club has been posting about ongoing construction work on Facebook. Adding to the speculation, a large “COMING SOON” banner was recently added to its website, fuelling rumors about a grand reopening, possibly in 2024.
However, the path to reopening is not without its challenges. Privilege had its license suspended in 2018 following an inspection that revealed illegal structural changes made to increase its capacity. In its last operational season in 2019, many club sections remained closed due to safety concerns.
The club’s ownership dynamics have also seen changes. Grupo Empresas Matutes acquired full ownership of Privilege last year through its entity Bahía de San Antonio SA. Despite these developments and the confirmed renovations, there remains a shroud of uncertainty about whether Privilege will reopen next year, marking a new chapter in its history.
