A Piece of “Modernisme” History in Santa Catalina

This is an amazing opportunity to own a property of stunning beauty and architectural significance right in the heart of Palma de Mallorca, in the fashionable district of Santa Catalina. This incredible townhouse is called Can Pujol. It was constructed in 1904 in the “Modernisme” style by Master of Works Gaspar Coll Reynes (Alaró, 1845 – Palma, 1911) and James Alenyar Ginard (Palma, 1869 – 1945), a Majorcan architect heavily influenced by the Catalan architects of the time who collaborated in the design of some of the most famous buildings of this era, in Palma. At the turn of the 20th century, local architects developed a style that was similar to Art Nouveau by following the criteria of their clients, who wanted an architectural style that followed modern trends. On the other hand, Mallorca has works of considerable importance by three of the most significant Catalan architects: Lluís Domènech i Montaner, Antoni Gaudí and Joan Rubió i Bellver.

Can Pujol has recently been completely renovated with considerable care and attention to detail. This delightful piece of history is approximately 550 m² possessing wonderful views of the Cathedral and the Bellver Castle from a large sunny roof terrace of 45 m². In essence, a stunning family home, which can also be divided into flats and a commercial space. The main entrance to the house has a reception hall of approximately 20 m², which houses a lift connecting to the penthouse at the top as well as a connecting staircase. Two identical flats of 150 m² can be found on the first floor containing ornate finishing of the period such as the beautiful floor tiles, the renovated original pillars, high ceilings, fireplaces and wooden doors. The supervision of the restoration has been closely monitored by the Patrimonio (Heritage Department) of the City Council to ensure historical preservation. The flats lead out to lovely ornate, metal rail balconies facing the street and light filled bedrooms at the back with a smaller terrace on each level. The bathrooms have been finished in a contemporary style, which is sensitive to the original architecture. On the top floor, there is an opportunity to create a penthouse loft apartment with a building project already in place for a one bedroom, one bathroom flat, completion of which is included in the price and can be finished to suit your tastes. Again, high ceilings with exposed beams in this instance.

Adjacent to the main entrance at street level is an open plan space with high ceilings and approximately 130 m² that can be used as a commercial space or perhaps a garage. You will also find a small terrace area of around 10 m².

Modernisme (Catalan pronunciation for “modernism”), also known as Catalan modernism, is the historiographic denomination given to an art and literature movement. Its main form of expression was in architecture, but many other arts were involved (painting, sculpture, etc.), and especially the design and the decorative arts (cabinetmaking, carpentry, forged iron, ceramic tiles, ceramics, glass-making, silver and goldsmith work, etc.), which were particularly important, especially in their role as support to architecture. Modernisme was also a literary movement (poetry, fiction, drama). Although it was part of a general trend that emerged in Europe around the turn of the 20th century, in Catalonia the style acquired its own unique personality. Its distinct name comes from its special relationship, primarily with Catalonia and Barcelona, which were intensifying their local characteristics for socio-ideological reasons after the revival of Catalan culture and in the context of spectacular urban and industrial development. The earliest example of Modernista architecture is the café Castell dels tres Dragons designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in the Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona, for the 1888 Universal Exhibition. It is a search for a particular style for Catalonia drawing on Medieval and Arab styles. As well as combining a rich variety of historically-derived elements, it is characterized by the predominance of the curve over the straight line, by rich decoration and detail, by the frequent use of vegetal and other organic motifs, the taste for asymmetry, a refined aestheticism and dynamic shapes.