Boutique developer-operator, Grupo Habita, has opened a new hotel in the historic centre of La Paz, Mexico.
Housed within an early 20th century villa – reborn with the addition of a new four-storey extension – the adaptive reuse project has been designed by Mexico-city based architect Max von Werz and interiors firm Jaune Architecture and comprises 32 guestrooms and suites, a pool and spa, a restaurant and a rooftop bar.
For their 14th project, Carlos Couturier and Moisés Micha – the duo behind Grupo Habita – looked no further than their own coastline to draw nautical inspiration from the Sea of Cortés. Originally built in 1910, the classic hacienda, once known as Casa Antigua and belonging to the local Cornejo family, was the site for oyster pearl harvesting. Blending old with new, the tiered additions maintain the sleek low-profile of the original home and provide generous terraces with views of La Paz bay, while subtle maritime connotations include the newbuild’s horizontal streamlining and the use of prominent wood elements throughout.
Taking cues from the country’s rich tradition of colours, textures and craftsmanship, interior spaces are defined by the same green and red tones common to Mexican earthenware, old metals and woods and woven materials. Nods to the historic origins come in the form of a double-door main entrance with original ironmongery, tall ironwork windows, exposed wood beams, tiled bathrooms and striking red terrazzo floors, while outside, a rough stucco façade highlights the villa’s character, and the L-shaped newbuild and 32 rooms frame an intimate central courtyard to create clusters of peaceful patios and gardens. Elsewhere across the property there’s a full spa experience available as well as a restaurant concept serving up Greek flavours.
Working with local artisans, Grupo Habita paid special attention to respect the surrounding environment through an implementation of bioclimatic design. Central to this approach, an original pergola was restored – integral to the preservation of native vegetation – while an outdoor kitchen encourages guest interaction with the open-air and extensive greenery. As with their previous projects, the duo’s commitment to infusing an authentic experience into every aspect of the hotel comes from collaborating in a holistic sense. “We use a local team every time we build a hotel – the surroundings and their traditions are the very heartbeat of our projects,” says Couturier. “The idea is for guests to feel welcomed by the hosts of the Baja Club.”
