Casa Legorreta

Architectural connoisseurs are aware that possessing a Legorreta home is comparable to owning a Frank Lloyd Wright, Mies van der Rohe, or Philip Johnson—they are priceless works of art that are rarely made available for purchase. In fact, at the time of this publication, Hollywood mogul Joel Silver's 25,000 S.F. Brentwood Legorreta house was the only other Legorreta on the market in the whole world. The Los Angeles residence for actor Ricardo Montalbán that Legorreta completed in 1985 and sold for a price tag of $38 million.

Casa Legorreta features the customary Legorreta design and native craftsmanship, all skillfully balancing austerity and generosity: striated colonnade walls carved from solid and void, casting stunning shadow-and-light patterns; water stairs creating gentle waterscaping white sound throughout the home; the use of walls as sculpture; warm textures and colors with natural materials like terracotta, wood, and split-face stone; and the count's signature. The courtyard and gardens of Casa Legorreta are a striking example of the inclination in Latin America to protect personal space; all outside areas are totally shielded from adjacent homes.

Visitors are drawn through a temazcal-like foyer upon entering, attracted by the colonnade's broken light at the far end, before entering the center courtyard, which is paved in stone and enclosed by a fountain that resembles a water rill and is sourced by a Legorreta water staircase. The sliding glass doors in the living room accentuate the indoor-outdoor lifestyle that is so common in this temperate city, providing a smooth transition to the terrace and gardens beyond. The staff quarters, a covered eating patio with a wood burning fireplace, a big dining room with gardens on both sides, an office, and a kitchen are all located on the ground floor.

This three-bedroom home's upstairs features a master suite with views of the city's iconic Parroquia church from the bed, a glass-parapet balcony overlooking the pool, an in-suite library, and a desk with a Frank Gehry Cross CheckTM chair, all of which are part of the home's legacy-worthy furniture, the majority of which was designed by Legorreta. A dressing area is next to the master bathroom's dual sinks made of all marble. The second floor is filled with two more guest rooms, one of which has a sizable private terrace.

This is a unique opportunity with broad appeal due to the San Miguel de Allende way of life and the presence of such a beloved architectural landmark. Give me a call if you'd like to take a look at this house; we'll complete the tour with rooftop bubbly as a preview of your future life in this wonderful community. Picture yourself and your loved ones toasting the sunset from this home's spectacular rooftop.