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The lord of the Islands
By
MONICA FILTHAUT, Swiss Universe, Winter Edition 2005/2006, Swiss First & Business class
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If you've ever dreamed of owning your own Island or holidayingan some romantic isle à la Robinson Crusoe, Farhad Vladi could be your man. A native of Hamburg, Vladi rents and sells real estate pearls straight out of paradise. And somewhere amongst the world's rivers and seas, there's bound to be one that's perfect for you.
You'll need to be lucky if you drop in on the Hamburg head office of Vladi Private Islands GmbH expecting to sec the owner - lord of the islands - in person. And why is that? Because this globetrotter with the island fever bug has spent roughly six months of each of the past 40 years travelling the world to track down, try out, photograph and value private islands, villas, luxury hotels and exclusive resorts. And rest assured that the properties he casts his practised eye over rank amongst some of the most attractive destinations you could ever hope to visit: each and every one a characterful jewel in its own right. For people who want something really special - whether as future owners or as a bespoke holiday rental. A qualified economist (Dr. rer. pol.), Vladi has so far sold 1,300 islands worldwide, most of which serve as vacation bolt-holes. His archive records include some 12,000 privately owned islands, and his portfolio usually includes around 100 to 130 uninhabited properties.
If you can afford a car, you can afford an island!
Vladi, a cosmopolite with an Iranian first name and a Caucasian surname, defines his typical client as someone who is "usually keen on nature and a water lover". All well and good, but mere mortals are not often in the habit of acquiring exclusive plots of water-encircled land from their petty cash, so what sort of financial framework should you anticipate if you're planning an fulfilling that dream of a private island anytime soon? "If von can afford a Car, you can afford an island ; Claims Farhad Vladi. "Prices range from USD 50,000 to 50 million. Most properties go for between USD 250,000 and 2 million:' His very latest offering is a heavenly island in the Philippines known as Dumanpalit. The stuff of dreams, accessible by boat in 30 minutes. Expect to pay around EUR 575,000. A bargain, some might feel, compared to the price of a moderately well-situated apartment in Vladi's native Hamburg.
Private islands: straddling Robinson and Onassis
Having accumulated a wealth of experience, Vladi is widely considered to be the Best in the island Business: the "Financial Times" has even dubbed him "The world's leading agent in islands". His unrivalled know-how and well-stocked interntional address book are at the disposal of any affluent individual or Organisation not shy of eye-watering prices. In fact, the jetsetter has just returned from a trip to Canada, where Haribo, the sweets manufacturer, recently shelled out on an island at John's Lake. Thomas Gottschalk, the famous German TV host and the company's top publicity personality, went along as well to participate in an exceptional advertising campaign involving a prize draw for an as yet unnamed island which the lucky winner will get to name as he or she sees fit.
Inspired by that Robinson Crusoe feeling
The dynlamic 60-year-old refuses to spill the beans on his clients unless prominent island proprietors have already been outed by the press. Like many other less illustrious buyers, Onassis, Marlon Brando, Johnny Depp, Leonardo Di Caprio and "Braveheart" star Mel Gibson (who is currently negotiating to buy an island paradise in Fiji by the name of Mago) have all succumbed to the Robinson C711soe lifestyle. And how many others cherish a secret dream of a secluded, totally undisturbed island hideaway? "Headin' for South America" by Dan MacCafferty sums it up to perfection: "...seeking for an island where no one else has been before, where no one else has stepped ashore..."
Vendor of dreams
Ever since his early schooldays, Farhad Vladi has alwavs wanted his own island. But it wasn't until he was in his twenties and studying economics that he scented an opportunity to turn the dream into a reality. It all began with a story in a local newspaper, the "Hamburger Abendblatt " about someone who had bought an island for DM 5,000. Vladi lost no time placing an "Island Wanted" ad himself, and that was the start of his subsequent success story. The rest is history, as they say. And he even has his own island into the bargain!
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