Those not fortunate enough to own a private island, perhaps the ultimate yardstick representation of wealth, will soon be able to live their dream during week-long stays at the island of Skorpios, once famously owned by Aristotle Onassis. Of course, you still need to be mega rich to rent it; the minimum cost for one week (for up to 50 guests) will reportedly be 1 million euros. A steep price, but it comes with perks.

Owned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, Skorpios is not just being transformed into a hyper-luxurious retreat, a “smart” island with its own fiber optic network and electric car charging stations, a marina and a heliport. It was recently announced that the Rybolovlev family is also planning on moving parts of the oligarch’s famously impressive art collection to the island, turning it into what is being called, an “art island.” Dmitry Ribolovlev, 391st on the Forbes List of billionairs in 2021, is one of the world’s top 10 art collectors, in possession of works by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Rothko and Amedeo Modigliani.

To turn Skorpios into an art island, similar to the Japanese Setouchi islands, the company Ribolovlev created to realize the plans, Mykinai S.A., will increase its investment, from 165 million to 400 million euros, and the total area to be built will grow from 21.5 thousand- to 30 thousand square meters, in order to facilitate cultural buildings.

It remains to be seen whether the island’s iconic pink villa, originally stables predating the years of Onassis, will be turned into a museum – a possibility the tycoon has reportedly been considering for a while.

The construction of the remaining projects is estimated to be completed by the summer of 2024.

Source: moneyreview.gr