From extracting white marble to developing one of the world’s most popular forms of engineered quartz, Francisco “Paco” Martínez-Cosentino Justo has done it all. Singapore Tatler Homes visits the Cosentino Group’s headquarters in Almería, Spain and talks to the man at the helm of the familyowned business that has found global success.
Looking at Cosentino’s sprawling headquarters that spans more than a million square metres, it’s hard to imagine that only a decade ago, this impressive network of production facilities and office buildings didn’t exist. Today, the site provides jobs for more than 1,200 employees living in the town of Macael, located in the Spanish province of Almería, and continues a legacy of working with stone for which the community is well known. According to the president and CEO of Cosentino, Francisco Martínez-Cosentino Justo, commonly known as Paco, the journey towards establishing Cosentino’s industrial park hasn’t been easy.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
In 1940, the first members of the Martinez Cosentino family started working in a marble quarry in Macael, manufacturing simple products from natural stone. Back then, the town was famed for its production of high quality white marble—Macael marble was a material sought after by renowned architects because of its unique colouration, owing to the distinct composition of natural minerals in the mountains surrounding the area.
Second-generation family members Paco and his brother decided to set up their own marble mining business in 1979. Paco’s initial attempts ended in failure as he realised that his quarries were not producing quality marble. “It was important to know the mountains and, unfortunately for us, we didn’t have good quarries for extracting white Macael marble in the early 1970s,” he recalls.
It wasn’t until the late 1970s that Paco finally discovered a quarry with a good vein that was producing high-quality Macael marble. However, by then, the amount of quality marble that could be extracted from Macael had dropped sharply—as did market demand for it. This resulted in the closure of many mines, and the community faced an imminent loss of livelihood.
Denne historien er fra February-March 2017-utgaven av Singapore Tatler Homes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February-March 2017-utgaven av Singapore Tatler Homes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
ELEMENTS OF MIRÓ
The vivacious, eclectic and emotive work of artist Joan Miró inspired this apartment design by PI Architects
A MEETING OF HAIVES
SuMisura crafts a perfectly personalised family home that incorporates a couple's disparate design preferences harmoniously
ALL THAT GLITTERS
The Poroda House by Makhno Studio blends classic and contemporary influences to reinterpret the golden age of cinema with all the sophistication and none of the pomp of the bygone era
The Art of the Bespoke
At The Residences at W on Sentosa Island, interior design firm Chalked masterfully crafted distinctive interiors for its Flamingo lounge and multiple residential units, including a ground-floor and a penthouse apartment, each showcasing its full potential through innovative design and thoughtful functionality
CURATING NARRATIVES
Step inside the art-filled home of Krystina Lyon and Mark Budden, showcasing a deeply personal collection of contemporary Southeast Asian works and midcentury treasures
A Vibrant Kind of Comfort
Architology Interiors transforms a Singapore apartment into a stunning sanctuary using bold, statement-making furniture from Roche Bobois, resulting in a unique blend of style and comfort
THE SECOND RENAISSANCE
Refreshed by its original interior designer after two decades, this home harmoniously blends art and design into a cosy medley of colour and elegance
Tactile Futures
Delve into how architects are bridging the gap between time-honoured craftsmanship and high-tech design to uncover new possibilities for the built environment
Your Very Own Next-Door Paradise
Discover the allure of Anantara Desaru Coast Residences, where luxury meets the serene beauty of the Malaysian coastline, offering a breathtaking escape for discerning Singaporeans
All in the Family
With over 40 years of experience, Edmund Kok has built a legacy now carried forward by his sons. Together, they helm design firm Trace Design & Build, which excels at crafting luxurious, bespoke landed properties