Casa Melina

Abandoned Todos Santos Hacienda Reimagined

A bold restoration of an abandoned sugar cane hacienda, this property’s old-world essence shines through, contrasted boldly by new, architectural additions in a raw, brutalist style.

A collaborative design effort by Mexican-Canadian restaurant owner Ernesto Kut Gomez and Mexican-Iranian architect Yashar Yektajo, this former commercial property was in ruins, abandoned for some 30 years. Gomez discovered it on a surf visit to Todos Santos, and camped on the hacienda’s ruins for months, inspired to revive the location as a creative residence and see it thrive anew.

The property’s 19th-century origins are revealed in its exposed bricks and generously arcaded patio openings, with brutalist architectural updates that stand out in austere contrast. There's a starkly modern tower and spiral staircase addition, a sturdy, monolithic, chef's quality outdoor kitchen and dining pavilion, and an abundance of strong, linear detailing such as the saltwater lap pool and the raw, unpolished concrete bathrooms.

The home serves as a creative retreat with the goal of hosting cultural and creative residencies in addition to being a spacious, downtown getaway, ideal for families or groups of friends traveling together. A pool fills its bright, central courtyard and is lined with deep, portico-like, covered patios for outdoor living and a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and alfresco dining farm table for a dozen.

This property sleeps 10 guests in five bedrooms, with six bathrooms. It can be rented for smaller groups, with four bedrooms at a reduced rate. Health packages, guest chef dinners, breakfast packages and other add-ons are available. Please inquire.

Around

Nestled in the Golden Mile of Todos Santos, the home is walking distance to some of the town’s best coffee shops, dining and shopping. The homeowner’s favorite hike is Punta Lobos, with its scenic ocean views, sculptural cacti, and lots of boulders tumbling into the sea, and another favorite haunt is the Santa Rita Hot Springs location, a hidden sanctuary some 90 miles outside of town near the Sol de Mayo waterfall in the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains. 

Road access came to Todos Santos only in the 1980s, but the town’s popularity as a creative getaway and wellness-focused surfing destination has grown wildly ever since. Now a hip, state-designated pueblo mágico, Todos Santos has gained significant traction as an artsy mecca for remote workers and creatives who love the town’s low-key, creatively bohemian lifestyle. Ideal for exploring on foot, the village is full of farm-to-table markets, inventive fresh cafes and stylish restaurants and bars. Artists, jewelers and other makers sell their handmade wares from quaint brick shops and galleries, and surf schools and yoga and wellness retreats round out the scene. 

Set about an hour’s drive from both La Paz and Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos occupies the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula and sits at the base of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. The town’s La Cachora surf break has been voted one of Mexico’s top beaches for its whale watching, sunsets, horseback riding and of course, swimming, while La Pastora beach offers Todos Santos’s biggest waves, a hot spot for expert, big wave riders. The Sierra de la Laguna mountains create a backdrop for the area, and all around the town, agricultural plots reveal stands of avocado and mango interrupted by tall, fringed palm trees.

Location

Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Nearest airport: San Jose del Cabo (1.5 hours)

Best time to visit

Spring through fall

Photographer: Fernando Marroquin @fernandomarroquint