Costa Smeralda took form in the early 1960s through the revolutionary vision of a committee of investors and architects. They aimed to create an exclusive destination for international jet-setters on an untouched stretch of Sardinia’s northeastern coast, guided by a rigorous master plan that included all essential infrastructure—from the airport and roads to drainage systems, golf courses, hotels, residences, and villas. The core principle was to build in harmony with the surrounding natural beauty, using the finest local materials and drawing inspiration from Sardinia’s rich and ancient heritage. The land itself, with its breathtaking scenery, became the ultimate muse for architects and developers alike.
In 1963, overlooking one of the island’s most picturesque bays—named Cala di Volpe, or “the cove of the fox,” in honor of the area’s native wildlife—the first primary structure of Costa Smeralda was built: Hotel Cala di Volpe. Conceived and designed by Jacques Couëlle, who preferred to call himself a “sculptor of houses” rather than an architect. The initial project was created and developed by Jacques Couëlle, who liked to define himself not as an architect, but rather as “a sculptor of houses.”
An honorary member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts of the Institut de France, Couëlle’s artistic genius is undisputed. His design for Hotel Cala di Volpe remains an architectural masterpiece that transformed the Sardinian coastline into one of the world’s most glamorous resort destinations—beloved by celebrities, royalty, and the international social elite.
