Monaco captured attention at the International Wood Construction Forum in Paris by unveiling ‘A Fighera,’ a groundbreaking residential project redefining sustainable architecture on the Riviera.
For the first time, the Principality participated in this prestigious global event, showcasing a scale model of Villa Carmelha—now rebranded as ‘A Fighera.’ This pioneering project, a first of its kind in Europe, sets new standards in eco-conscious construction while promoting Monaco’s BD2M sustainability label.
Held under the iconic dome of the Grand Palais from 26th to 28th February, the forum provided the perfect stage for Monaco to display its expertise in cutting-edge wooden construction techniques and environmentally responsible urban development.
Industry experts represent Monaco
A distinguished delegation attended to present the innovations behind ‘A Fighera’ to international professionals and media. Among them were Adrien Le Bret, Director of Public Works for the Monaco Government; Jean-François Riehl, President of Entreprise Monégasque de Couverture; Gabriel Viora, engineer and architect, founder of Cabinet Viora; and Wilfrid Bellecour, architect and founder of Studio Bellecour.
Their presentations delved into the advanced construction methodologies and green technologies that shaped ‘A Fighera’, reinforcing Monaco’s position as a leader in the future of sustainable luxury living.
Investors and industry leaders will gather in Monaco for the fifth edition of the K2MATCH Investor Lounge later this week, a three-part event where high-potential startups across AI, healthcare, travel, education and gaming will take to the stage and pitch to potential backers.
The K2MATCH Investor Lounge will take place at the Columbus Hotel Monte-Carlo in Fontvieille. Designed for budding entrepreneurs and those keen to support them in their endeavours, the event will provide a platform for investors to connect with high-potential startups in various industries through networking sessions, presentations and talks.
Founded by Alexandros Dohn and Badr Moudden, K2MATCH has been designed to facilitate connections between startups, scaleups and key industry players. This fifth edition of the event will be structured across three days, offering attendees multiple opportunities to connect in both formal and informal settings.
The main event on 6th March will kick off with a welcome drink at 6pm. The official programme, featuring a series of startup pitches and a Q&A session, will begin at 7pm. After the presentations, networking will continue over drinks and finger food.
Two satellite events will complement the main Investor Lounge. A pre-event networking session on 5th March at Bar des Artistes will allow investors and attendees to meet the participating startups ahead of the main event. Additionally, a post-event dinner and networking session on 7th March, also at Bar des Artistes, will provide a final opportunity for attendees to connect with startups and investors.
While the main Investor Lounge is free for investors, the pre-event and post-event gatherings require a participation fee of €90 and €120, respectively.
Startups to watch
Among the startups pitching at the event, several are leveraging AI to drive innovation in their respective industries. In the healthcare sector, Unlimited Robotics, based in Boston, is developing AI-powered robots designed to assist hospitals with logistics, sanitation and patient monitoring. In the travel industry, Vilnius-based Legego is using AI to create a marketplace for curated travel experiences, connecting travellers with unique content and personalised itineraries.
In the education sector, two startups are focusing on enhancing learning experiences. Cardiff-based Everybody Counts, which also participated in the fourth edition of the Monaco Investor Lounge, is offering a multilingual learning system aimed at transforming mathematics education by making it more accessible and engaging for students worldwide. Meanwhile, Sheffield-based Everybody Creates provides high-quality art lesson plans for primary school teachers, helping to integrate creativity into core curricula.
In the gaming industry, Johannesburg-based PINPIN is launching a massively multiplayer online game that integrates Google Maps, allowing players to engage in real-world location-based gameplay. In the deep-tech sector, Alma, currently in stealth mode, is developing MIMMS, a 6G-powered AI infrastructure designed to help enterprises scale their AI adoption efficiently while addressing challenges related to speed, cost and compliance.
To register for the investor lounge and the satellite events, click here.
Nice’s long-time mayor, Christian Estrosi, is struggling to clarify a solid position on the cruise ship restrictions he imposed mere weeks ago, vacillating on issues such as a cap on the number of passengers per ship allowed into the nearby port village of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Having previously argued that “these cruises have no place here”, Estrosi appears to be backtracking on his attempts to follow Monaco’s example of limiting the docking of cruise ships in its waters since 2023 in the name of establishing a more sustainable approach to tourism.
Earlier this year, Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi announced that the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur would be placing a ban on all cruise ships carrying more than 900 passengers from entering the ports under its jurisdiction, effective this summer.
The decree of 24th January was reportedly pushed through without the consultation of Christophe Trojani, the mayor of the neighbouring village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, a port that welcomes thousands of cruise ship passengers each year, and while the decree was welcomed by environmental advocates in the region, Trojani and the retailers and merchants of Villefranche-sur-Mer are understood to have been infuriated by the news.
Then, on 28th February, at an event where Estrosi hosted Canadian-American environmental activist Paul Watson, the founder of the anti-poaching and pro-marine conservation Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Nice’s mayor reversed course. Two press releases issued that evening suggested that Estrosi and the Métropole would take a more lenient approach to cruise ships and their passengers, though the exact terms — and restrictions — remain unclear.
For example, the first notice outlined a 2,500-passenger cap per vessel. The second, released just three and a half hours later, removed that specific limit, stating instead that passenger restrictions would be discussed at the Port Council meeting on 7th March.
Both statements affirmed that Nice’s Port Lympia will no longer accommodate cruise ships carrying more than 450 passengers, effective this summer. Additionally, only one cruise ship per day will be allowed for a total of 65 days per year in Villefranche-sur-Mer. This differs from 2024, when Villefranche-sur-Mer received 80 cruise liners.
The Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur is currently bound by an agreement, valid until 31st December 2025, that caps cruise passengers at 3,500 per ship — a figure far higher than the 900-passenger limit put forward by Estrosi in January. Despite the potential revision to 2,500 passengers, Trojani has refused to endorse any changes, telling the press, “We are going to negotiate a new agreement.”
“Since 2020, we have cut the number of ships by three and halved the number of passengers,” he said, as reported by France 3 Côte d’Azur. “We now host fewer cruise tourists than in 2010, dropping from 442,000 to approximately 150,000 to 200,000. We are at the beginning of a cycle of discussions. The decree of 24th January is no longer relevant.”
In comparison to its neighbours on the Riviera, the Principality of Monaco implemented a strict policy back in 2023 that only permits cruise ships under 250 metres in length and with a maximum capacity of 1,250 passengers to enter its ports. The regulations came into force at the wishes of Prince Albert II of Monaco, a staunch supporter of environmental conservation projects.
The transformation of the former Hôtel Provençal in Cap d’Antibes is nearing completion, with luxury developer John Caudwell now focused on securing a world-class chef to helm its highly anticipated fine dining restaurant. Speaking with Monaco Life’s Cassandra Tanti, Caudwell explains the vision behind this incredible renovation and why only a top-tier restaurant, capable of rivalling the finest on the Riviera, will do.
Le Provençal is an iconic Art Deco building that stands at the entrance to Cap d’Antibes on the Juan-les-Pins side, around three kilometres from the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc and Billionaires’ Bay (Baie des Milliardaires) on the tip of the peninsula. Originally constructed between 1926 and 1927 by architect Lucien Stable for American millionaire Frank Jay Gould, the former Hôtel Provençal was widely known as one of the French Riviera’s most exclusive destinations in its day.
Formerly Hôtel Provençal, the large property stands proud on the Riviera coastline
Its original restaurant played host to some of the most celebrated figures of the 20th century, including Ernest Hemingway, Sir Winston Churchill, the Duchess of Windsor and Charlie Chaplin. It was also here that F. Scott Fitzgerald found inspiration for his final novel, Tender is the Night. The hotel’s guest list reads like a Who’s Who of cultural and political luminaries, with Marilyn Monroe, Estée Lauder, Coco Chanel, Pablo Picasso, Marlene Dietrich, Jackie Kennedy, Paul McCartney and Ella Fitzgerald among its many illustrious visitors.
After changing ownership in 1972, the hotel closed in 1977 for planned renovations that never materialised. Decades of failed redevelopment efforts followed until John Caudwell acquired the property in 2012 for an undisclosed sum.
“I’d seen it sitting there, derelict, for 20 or 30 years and always thought, What an amazing place,” Caudwell tells Monaco Life. “It dominates that part of the coastline at the entrance to Cap d’Antibes, and I always thought it should be restored. Work had actually started under Cyril Dennis, but when the financial crash hit in 2008, everything stopped. I decided to take it on, and the rest is history.”
The Art Deco building was originally built for American millionaire Frank Jay Gould
Following a full-scale gutting of the building and extensive structural reinforcements—“There’s almost nothing left of the original building except for the exterior walls”—the long-anticipated restoration is now in its final phase, with residents set to move in this summer.
The luxury residential project, with a projected value of €360 million, will feature 41 high-end residences, including lateral apartments, penthouses and villas, ranging in price from €3 million to €40 million. According to Caudwell, around 75% of the residences are still for sale and are expected to sell upon completion of the project in May.
The development also boasts Art Deco-styled communal areas, a cinema, a health spa, six boutique retail spaces and landscaped gardens surrounding a 30-metre swimming pool.
“It has been a labour of love and it gives me immense pride to restore Le Provençal to its former glory—though, in truth, it will be even more luxurious than the original,” reveals Caudwell.
Le Provençal is expected to be valued at over €360 million upon completion
Michelin-star ambitions for the Riviera’s next premier dining spot
A standout feature of the redevelopment is the 100-seat fine dining restaurant, spanning 310 square metres of elegant interior space alongside two expansive terraces for alfresco dining. The restaurant is positioned on the Boulevard Edouard Baudoin, opposite the five-star Hôtel Belles Rives and Square Frank Jay Gould, with the Bay of Golfe-Juan as a stunning backdrop.
Caudwell, the British businessman, philanthropist and founder of Caudwell, has grand ambitions for this dining venue.
“Our vision is to have a three Michelin-starred restaurateur make it one of the finest dining destinations on the French Riviera,” he says. “The restaurant offering is perfect for a discerning Michelin-starred restaurateur or a luxury dining brand and will be one of the most glamourous dining venues on the Riviera to visit and be seen.”
His shortlist of dream collaborators includes Gordon Ramsay, Alain Ducasse, Hélène Darroze, Heston Blumenthal, Eric Ripert and Thomas Keller.
John Caudwell envisions only the best to head Le Provençal’s restaurant
“I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing the work of many of these chefs,” Caudwell tells Monaco Life. “Heston Blumenthal actually once cooked for me at George Michael’s house.”
Monaco’s renowned MayaBay restaurant is also mentioned as a potential partner, reflecting Caudwell’s deep connection to Monaco, where he maintains both a personal residence and active philanthropic engagements.
Should a multi-Michelin-starred chef not take the lead, Caudwell is open to partnering with a top-tier culinary professional.
“It could be called ‘La Caudwell’, which I envisage would be a very prestigious venue given my exceptionally high standards and commitment to delivering the very best cuisine and outstanding hospitality to the clientele,” he says.
A legacy of real estate excellence
Caudwell’s ventures in luxury real estate extend beyond Le Provençal. He has also transformed the hotel’s former tennis club into Domaine de la Belle Étoile, an exclusive private estate featuring a main villa, two guesthouses, staff apartments and expansive landscaped grounds. The property is currently on the market and is expected to sell for more than €70 million.
In London, Caudwell is overseeing the development of 1 Mayfair, a £2 billion residential project in the heart of the city’s prestigious Mayfair district. Set to be completed in about 18 months, the development will feature 29 ultra-luxury residences, with prices starting at £35 million.
1 Mayfair is John Caudwell’s ultra-luxury £2 billion residential development in London
So how does one transition from leading a telecommunications empire to shaping some of the world’s most exclusive real estate?
Reflecting on his journey from mobile services with Phones 4u to high-end property development, Caudwell explains, “Business is business. I have an instinct for it, regardless of the industry. Success comes down to making the right decisions, setting high standards, finding the best people, and keeping them motivated. Property development, however, operates at a very different pace from mobile phones. The phone industry moves by the second, while real estate is a slower burn where timing is everything.”
From luxury property development, to securing a future for children
Beyond real estate, Caudwell is highly regarded for his philanthropy, having pledged 70% of his vast fortune to charitable causes during his lifetime and beyond. Among his key initiatives is Caudwell Children, a charity dedicated to supporting disabled and seriously ill children. The organisation hosts the prestigious Butterfly Ball in London and Monaco each year to raise funds and awareness.
He also founded Caudwell Youth, which provides mentorship to young people at risk of crime, abuse and drug addiction.
“It’s been incredibly successful—around 80% of the at-risk youth we mentor steer clear of crime. Those statistics are extremely rewarding,” he says.
The new Le Provençal will exude elegance and luxury, befitting its multi-million euro location on the French Riviera
Reviving a legendary destination for the world’s elite
With a commitment to restoring the glamour of Le Provençal and its legendary dining legacy, Caudwell envisions a venue that will once again attract the world’s elite.
“The original restaurant hosted some of the most famous and iconic names of the day, and the new restaurant, once operational, will once again serve some of the most affluent and influential people from across the globe,” he says. “I just want to ensure that this restaurant is the most successful on the Riviera coastline.”
With Cap d’Antibes renowned as a retreat for celebrities and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, and its waters serving as a prime anchorage for superyachts, the restaurant is certainly well-positioned to become the French Riviera’s next premier fine dining destination.
Paul Tazewell has made history by winning an Oscar for Best Costume Design for his work on the blockbuster production of Wicked, becoming the first Black man to win in this category. The acclaimed designer received support from the Princess Grace Foundation-USA in the early stages of his career and went on to win the Princess Grace Statue Award, one of many prestigious prizes that Tazewell has earned during his more than 35 years in the industry.
On 2nd March at the Dolby Theatre in Ovation Hollywood, 60-year-old US costume designer Paul Tazewell won an Oscar for his work on Wicked. Tazewell had already earned several accolades for the wildly successful film starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, including the Critics Choice Award, a Costume Designers Guild Award, and a BAFTA.
This latest addition to his trophy cabinet is history-making: Tazewell is the first Black man to ever win an Oscar in this category. Tazewell had been nominated for an Academy Award once before, in 2022 for West Side Story, but he lost out to Jenny Beavan for her work on Cruella.
Tazewell is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He was introduced to the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, a charity organisation founded in the memory of Princess Grace of Monaco that supports rising talents in the arts, not long after graduating from NYU when he was approached by Arena Stage in Washington and offered a one-year position on the team. Arena Stage suggested they reach out to the Princess Grace Foundation for assistance in covering part of his salary, and Tazewell was ultimately given a Theatre Fellowship by the Foundation. It was the start of a long and fruitful relationship that continues to this day.
“I continued to stay in contact with the Princess Grace Foundation-USA [after Arena Stage] and later received the Statue Award,” Tazewell told Monaco Life in an interview. “It came at a very opportune time; I was just leaving an institution and transitioning to being a freelance designer in New York, which is really hand-to-mouth as an artist. I felt so supported by the Foundation.”
Tazewell has enjoyed an incredible career in the years since, having worked on major productions such as The Color Purple, In the Heights, Memphis, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Hamilton, for which he won a Tony Award in 2016. He has also won an Emmy for his work on the TV adaptation of The Wiz Live!
In a statement shared on social media after the Academy Awards ceremony, Tazewell remarked, “Winning the Oscar for Wicked is the highest point of my life, my North Star. It is my privilege to be the first Black man to receive an Academy Award for Outstanding Costumes. I have evolved into that inspiring figure that I had been longing to emulate as a developing designer. I receive this beautiful recognition with immense pride, and I dedicate it to everyone who has the dream to fly.”
Read more about Paul Tazewell and his ties to the Princess Grace Foundation in a previous interview with Monaco Life:
Chivas Regal has named Charles Leclerc as its new Global Brand Ambassador, unveiling a dynamic partnership that extends the driver’s influence and reach as a market draw into his off-track areas of interest, namely lifestyle, music and fashion. The new alliance will be marked with a one-night-only pop-up piano bar dubbed Leclerc’s in Melbourne ahead of the Formula 1 season opener in the Australian city later this month.
Charles Leclerc is a man of many talents. On the heels of a successful music project last year between himself and world-renowned pianist Sofiane Pamart, entitled Dreamers, and the recent release of two new tracks celebrating his time on track last season, the Monegasque driver is extending his reach even further as a global ambassador for an iconic high-end whisky brand.
Chivas Regal, which confirmed its role as Scuderia Ferrari’s Official Team Partner at the end of 2024, is embracing the team’s star driver’s noted joie de vivre in a second collaboration that will highlight his off-track passions for music, fashion and lifestyle.
To celebrate Leclerc’s new title as Global Brand Ambassador for Chivas Regal, the brand will be hosting an exclusive pop-up piano bar in Melbourne on 11th March ahead of the Formula 1 season opener on the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on 16th March. Named Leclerc’s, the one-night-only experience will bring whisky and live music together in a setting designed to reflect the artistry and precision both crafts require.
Guests attending the event will enjoy bespoke Chivas Regal x Charles Leclerc cocktails while immersing themselves in a unique musical atmosphere. The evening will feature a special guest appearance from the self-taught pianist and composer himself, offering fans a glimpse into his world beyond the track.
Leclerc has continuously built a reputation outside Formula 1 through partnerships in fashion, wellness and luxury brands. His collaborations with brands such as Puma, Richard Mille, APM Monaco, Riva, VistaJet and Bang & Olufsen have established him as a tastemaker in style, while his involvement with Peroni 0.0%, Celsius energy drink and Eight Sleep underscores his commitment to optimising well-being. Now, with Chivas Regal, he continues to blur the lines between sport, art and culture.
“Success is about blending all the right notes – on and off the track,” said Leclerc in a statement on his new role with Chivas Regal. “My craft demands time, precision and dedication, but what truly drives me is the journey, my passions and the moments shared along the way. Chivas Regal embodies this same ethos, encouraging people to find their own rhythm and celebrate every win, big or small. I’m excited to redefine success together and share this experience with fans through our partnership.”
The Melbourne pop-up marks the beginning of a series of events and experiences scheduled throughout 2025 that will showcase Leclerc’s many dimensions.
Fans can follow the journey on social media or visit www.chivas.com for updates.
