Once again I've come across an opportunity for someone to own an interesting old Mérida home. Particularly for someone who loves the original antique pasta tile floor designs, this is a good opportunity.
There are two houses, actually. They sit side by side on a very quiet street in Santiago. The larger, older building has a traditional tall facade with wrought iron window details and beautiful antique pasta tile floors which will require only minor repair and polishing to look fantastic. The original wooden doors are intact and in good condition throughout. The house consists of five rooms: living room, kitchen, two bedrooms, and a large room across the back, which opens onto the patio. There is one bathroom.
The newer house next door, if incorporated into the larger home, provides space for additional bathrooms, closets and a garage, or could be partially demolished to provide additional patio space. It also is ideal for the addition of a second story for extra bedrooms or a rooftop terrace. At present it consists of a deep living room (pictured), two bedrooms, kitchen, bath and a small patio. It would be a simple project to install an automatic door in the facade and convert the large living room into a garage. Permits would not be difficult for this part of the project because the structure is modern and not covered by the same sorts of restrictions as older buildings. This house would also make a great studio or rental apartment.
The combined lots measure 15 meters (49 feet) across the front, and vary in depth from 11.5 meters (38 feet) to 19.5 meters (64 feet). The back patio areas are small, but by combining the two houses, a designer will have many options to create interesting spaces and gardens.
The houses are located near the Merida English Language Library and Santiago Park, and are close to markets, restaurants, services and the Plaza Grande. The quiet street is residential with no bus or truck traffic. Many similar homes nearby are being restored.
Although the "bones" are in good shape, these houses need a complete renovation.
All paperwork is in order. The houses have separate deeds (which could be combined upon purchase).
Email for information: marc_olson@hotmail.com
Email for information: marc_olson@hotmail.com
Asking price (both houses together): SOLD
Click on photos below to enlarge.
This looks like a fantastic opportunity!!! I love LOVE househunting, even though we have our Mexico house. I am always inspired by a house in need of TLC, and this one has spectacular attributes that are revving up my creative urges. I'm itching to get my hands on this property, even sitting here at my desk in Tulsa.
ReplyDeleteLynette, I hope we can go house hunting together when next you are in Mérida.
ReplyDeleteThey look so lovely now that they have had a bit of a bath. Great ideas for how to incorporate the structures into one space or a space with a rental. Hope to visit with you soon!
ReplyDeleteGreat houses. But more project than I am looking for these days.
ReplyDeleteI would jump at the opportunity to redo a couple of homes. That was kind of my hobby years ago and I loved it,simply because it was so rewarding and satisfying to look at the end result...not even thinking of the modest profits involved.
ReplyDeleteIf it was closer and I a tad younger it would be a no brain-er.
Benne', you saw them before I had the place swabbed out. It looks a lot better now, but I think could be really nice once renovated. The floors are very nice and will clean up beautifully.
ReplyDeleteSteve and Tancho: I had been thinking about redoing these for myself, but at the moment don't have the time to do it. The creative process of renovating is a lot of fun, but with other things keeping me occupied, I've decided to let someone else take a crack at this project.
Very pretty. Love the delicate ironwork gates. You could also raise the ceiling in the newer house - friends did that and the effect was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, you're right. And there are so many possibilities it could be very interesting. That large ironwork gate in the back of the one house, the one that's in the photos is interesting. It's part of the newer house. The work is so fine that I think maybe it was salvaged from an earlier house and installed here.
ReplyDeleteWow! I love the floors. I've seen a few houses in Mexico City with such floors, but they are few and far between.
ReplyDeleteThis house seems like it'd be perfect to combine, and then re-create a colonial-style facade for the entire thing.
So where is this house? I spent some time on Google Street view looking in the 500's for this house around the area you specified, but was unable to find it.
It'd be cool to do a virtual walk-by via Google Street view.
Saludos,
Kim G
Boston, MA
Where our hankering for Mexican real estate grows by the day.
Kim G, the houses are on Calle 51, numbers 511 and 511A, between Calle 70 and Calle 72.
DeleteIt's surprising how good a feel for the street you can get from Street View. A couple of times when I have been going to drive in an unknown area, I use street view to "rehearse" my trip, looking for the landmarks I will need to find my destination. It works very well.
I myself am not looking for a house; but if I were, knowing what I know now, I'd look for a house that was both for rent or for sale--especially if it had been on the market awhile. Then I'd rent it, hang up a hammock and check it out, "real time." That way, one could really get a sense of the decorative potential, potential costs, and whether it was a suitable fit for the possible buyer.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, I'm surprised that more homes aren't offered this way, or with a "rent to buy" option.
Just some ideas.