Albayzin, Granada Reihenhaus

Exceptional Historic Carmen
Exceptional historic carmen in the Albayzin
This is one of those rare Granada houses in which the building itself is as important as its location. This is a substantial historic carmen in the Albayzin, designed in the early 20th century by a distinguished Granada architect, master of sculptural ornament whose family workshop specialised in reproducing decorative elements from the Alhambra. The connection with the Alhambra is therefore much more than decorative. Its architecture, plasterwork, tiles, carved detailing, latticework and intimate courtyards consciously draw upon Granada’s Moorish tradition, while from the upper parts of the property there are striking views across the Albayzin towards the Alhambra itself. The house is arranged over several levels to accommodate the steep hillside characteristic of the Albayzin. It has five bedrooms and five bathrooms/WCs in total, together with several reception rooms, a remarkable central patio, mature gardens, terraces, a small swimming pool/alberca and, unusually for this part of Granada, its own garage. It is not a recently created imitation of Moorish architecture. The house dates from the early decades of the 20th century and underwent a comprehensive restoration in the 1990s, during which the present owner, a renowned fashion designer, employed skilled Granada craftsmen to conserve, restore and where necessary reproduce its original architectural details as well as adding his own exquisite decorative taste. The House There are entrances at two different levels, reflecting the fall of the land. Inside, the most memorable architectural feature is the spectacular double-height central patio. This is unmistakably Granadino in character, surrounded by finely worked neo-Moorish plaster arches and slender columns, with the upper-floor gallery looking down into the space. Green-painted balustrades, carved detailing, decorative arches and traditional lamps add colour without overwhelming the architecture. Rather than functioning simply as a circulation area, the patio forms the architectural heart of the house, connecting the principal rooms on the different levels. Throughout the house there is a remarkable variety of original and traditionally crafted detailing, including: decorative neo-Moorish plasterwork marble flooring combined with patterned ceramic tiles traditional Granada tiles leaded and coloured glass carved and painted woodwork decorative ceilings lattice screens traditional doors and shutters ornamental niches wrought ironwork traditional pebble paving in the gardens These elements were carefully restored or reproduced during the major renovation of the house in the 1990s. Ground Floor The principal living accommodation occupies the garden level. The main salon and dining area is a long, elegant room divided architecturally by columns and arches. Marble floors are combined with colourful Granada tiles around the walls, while timber ceilings, carved furniture and traditional decorative elements give the room a distinctly Andalusian character. At one end is a substantial sitting area centred around the fireplace, while glazed doors connect the room directly with the garden. Despite the richness of the decoration, this remains a practical living room rather than a formal historic interior: large windows and doors bring considerable natural light into the space and establish a strong connection with the gardens outside. There is also a particularly impressive formal dining room, one of the most decorative rooms in the house. Intricate ceiling plasterwork, painted joinery, coloured panels and elaborate fitted cabinetry create an interior which is almost theatrical in character while remaining entirely usable as a dining room. The kitchen is traditional rather than minimalist, with fitted cabinetry, generous preparation areas and open shelving. An adjoining informal dining/breakfast area has direct access towards the garden. Also on this level are: an exterior covered dining area guest WC access to the intermediate gallery of the tower several informal sitting areas associated with the garden The covered exterior dining room is especially attractive, enclosed by vegetation and shaded beneath a metal pergola covered by mature climbing plants - a wonderfully private place for summer meals. First Floor The first floor contains four bedrooms and three bathrooms, two of the bedrooms having their own en-suite bathrooms. As elsewhere in the house, the bedrooms are very individual rather than variations on a standard design. The principal bedroom is particularly striking, with a richly painted coffered ceiling, patterned tiled floor, extensive windows and dramatic decorative treatment. Its adjoining bathroom continues the Moorish theme with green and marble finishes, columns and decorative plasterwork. Other bedrooms have their own combinations of traditional shutters, coloured glass, decorative tiled floors, built-in cupboards and individually designed ceilings. One especially attractive bedroom incorporates a four-poster bed and coloured glass around the windows, while another is considerably simpler and more contemporary in feel. The circulation spaces are themselves part of the experience of the house. Galleries overlook the central patio and provide changing views through arches and across the interior, making the transition between rooms unusually interesting. Upper Floor The upper floor contains a further bedroom, sitting room and bathroom, together with a large roof terrace. The sitting room is an atmospheric space with deep red walls, traditional furniture and a series of large windows overlooking Granada. The bedroom on this level is comparatively restrained, with a striped fabric ceiling treatment and a large window looking towards the surrounding historic quarter. Roof Terrace and Views The large upper terrace is one of the property’s most important spaces. Open to the Granada sky yet protected by the walls of the carmen, it provides a completely different atmosphere from the shaded gardens below. From here there are superb views across the tiled rooftops and greenery of the Albayzin towards the Alhambra, with a wonderful uninterrupted view of the palace complex on the opposite hillside. This visual relationship with the Alhambra is especially appropriate given the history of the house and the work of the architect whose family workshop specialised in reproducing Alhambra ornamentation. The Tower The monumental tower forms a distinctive part of the architecture and can also be approached from the lower entrance to the property. This arrangement gives the property a complexity which is difficult to appreciate from its exterior: it is effectively a sequence of interconnected houses, patios, galleries, gardens and terraces built into the Albayzin hillside rather than a conventional house divided neatly into floors. The Gardens The gardens are fundamental to the character of the property. A traditional Granada carmen combines house and enclosed garden, and here the exterior spaces are divided into a succession of intimate areas rather than one large formal garden. Mature trees, palms, cypress, climbing plants, hedges and abundant established vegetation create shade and considerable privacy. Paths and terraces use traditional Granada pebble paving and decorative ceramic tiles, with steps connecting the different levels. Among the exterior spaces are: the principal garden terrace immediately outside the house several secluded sitting areas a covered summer dining area beneath mature climbing plants paved terraces mature planted borders ornamental fountains and water features an alberca/small swimming pool the large upper roof terrace A particularly attractive courtyard immediately outside the principal reception rooms incorporates geometric green-and-white tiling and a white ornamental fountain, with mature planting softening the surrounding architecture. Elsewhere, another fountain is set beneath established trees and dense vegetation, while tables and chairs have been positioned in small terraces throughout the garden rather than concentrating outdoor living in a single area. The alberca/swimming pool occupies a particularly private garden area surrounded by mature cypress and other established trees. It is modest in size, entirely appropriate to the scale and historic character of a traditional Albayzin carmen rather than designed as a conventional modern swimming pool. Utilities and Comfort Although historic in character, the house has been adapted for modern year-round occupation. It is equipped with: ducted air conditioning ducted heat-pump heating fireplace in the main salon fitted wardrobes storage swimming pool/alberca Garage One of the property’s more unusual practical advantages is its private garage, suitable for a small car. Vehicle access and private parking are comparatively unusual commodities within the historic Albayzin, where many houses can only be approached on foot. Location The property stands in the middle Albayzin, Granada’s historic Moorish quarter, on the hillside facing the Alhambra, a neighbourhood of narrow lanes, small squares, traditional houses and cármenes, where the form of the streets and much of the urban landscape still reflect the district’s medieval origins. Despite this historic setting, the property is not a museum piece. It has been a substantial private home, with proper reception rooms, five bedrooms, gardens, swimming pool and garage, within one of Granada’s most remarkable historic neighbourhoods. This is an exceptional property, best understood as a historic Granada carmen rather than a conventional luxury villa. Its attraction lies in its charm, architecture, craftsmanship, gardens, atmosphere and its relationship with the Alhambra and the historic Albayzin. Rooms vary greatly in style and decoration, levels are interconnected by stairs and galleries, and the gardens are divided into numerous intimate spaces. It is a house of quite exceptional character located only five minutes walk from the city centre in a completely tranquil setting.