Hï Ibiza owner promises "a new era and something completely different"

All eyes will be on Hï Ibiza when the island’s newest club opens on May 28. Taking over the site vacated by Space there are big shoes to fill, but Hï Ibiza is looking to push the White Isle into the future by creating a new style of clubbing experience.

“It's a big bet and a big responsibility. There's always going to be a comparison but we want to look forward as much as we can and bring something good and totally new to the island,” says founder, owner and CEO Yann Pissenem.

A number of significant changes are being made: the previous capacity will remain, but the Funktion-One rig is being replaced by an Adamson system in the pursuit of a rounder sound; the number of dancefloors is being reduced to two with new open air spaces being opened; Room 1, now called Theatre, will be fronted with a stage rather than a DJ booth, and the production levels are going to ramped up considerably.

“Being indoors allows us to create and produce a completely different experience and energy at Hï Ibiza compared to Ushuaïa, and take our production to the next level”, reveals Yann. There will be many engines on the roof of the Theatre which will enable the production of kinetic ceiling displays. Yann and his brother Romain have also been working with revered set designer Willie Williams, who has previously collaborated with U2, to create a unique lighting element involving twisting LED-screened ribbons which will stretch across the length the room.

The opening party concept is themed around solid light, orbs and mirror discs, and will only be seen on the night and not repeated. Throughout the summer a different production will be created in the Theatre every night, with 70 people working from 8am until the afternoon to pull down all the lighting and stage arrangements of the club and rebuild a special setup for the following day corresponding to the seven residencies

The former Terrace, renamed the Club (Room 2) is going to be styled in a more underground way, with a low ceiling, booth at the crowd's eye-level and stripped-back production aesthetics. “It will be a much more intimate experience,” says Yann. The windows at the side remain, allowing the sun to break into the club and usher in the morning with a glow.

Close attention has also been paid to the movement of people within the club, with changes made to the layout to ease the flows and combat the congestion that can affect clubs in Ibiza. The number of toilets has also been significantly increased “to ensure there’s minimal queuing, allowing people to spend the maximum amount of time on the dancefloor,” says Yann.

There will be no music outside of the two dancefloors, with the aim to keep the energy and atmosphere focused within the club. Areas such as the old Salon, Sunset Terrace and Premier Etage have been adapted to become new chill out zones.

“The roof has come off the old Sunset Terrace, which is now called the Magic Garden,” says Yann, “it's a really organic, open air space with no music, a place for people to socialise and really feel like they are in Ibiza.”

Hï Ibiza’s programming will showcase a mix of the more mainstream parties its sister club Ushuaïa has been hosting with a healthy focus on newer underground talents. Residents include likes of Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Thomas Jack and Glitterbox, as well as Kölsch, Joris Voorn, Luciano, Nic Fanciulli, Steve Lawler, Andrea Oliva and a real statement with Black Coffee and Eric Prydz taking up their debut Ibiza residencies.

New VIP areas have been added onto the club. “Hï Ibiza is for everyone but of course we have considered those who want a VIP experience. In the Theatre, the VIP area is like an amphitheatre, with rows of booths starting at ground level and rising to what used to be the Premier Etage. On this level there will be a VIP bar, tables and open air, Moroccan-style tents.”

For Yann, Hï Ibiza is the perfect opportunity to contribute to an exciting new chapter in the history of the party island he feels passionately about. “I think the soul of Ibiza is crazy and amazing, “he says. “The island, beaches, nature, things you can see and the feeling you can have in Ibiza is totally unique. It is still the first destination of electronic music in the world.

“We are really trying to bring something new to the island. It's a new era and it's something completely different. We invite everybody to come and say Hï.”

Check out exclusive images of Hï above. The club opens on May 28, all info here.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Staff Writer, follow him on Twitter