Located on a beautiful plot of coastal boardwalk in the historic center of La Paz, Baja Club is Mexico’s coolest new boutique hideaway.
Opening on the Baja California Peninsula, Baja Club is an early 20th-century villa reborn with the addition of a chic new four-story extension. The glorious completion of an adaptive reuse project, the hotel houses just 32 guest rooms and suites, a pool and spa, and a restaurant and rooftop bar that promises to be the hippest sundowner joint in town.
For their 14th project, Carlos Couturier and Moisés Micha (the duo behind Grupo Habita) looked no further than their own coastline to draw nautical inspiration from the legendary Sea of Cortés. Originally built in 1910, the classic hacienda, once known as Casa Antigua and belonging to the local Cornejo family, was the site for oyster pearl harvesting. Seamlessly blending old with new, the tiered additions maintain the sleek low-profile of the original home and provide generous terraces with views of La Paz Bay. Subtle nautical connotations such as the new build’s horizontal streamlining and the use of prominent wood elements throughout the project play on the maritime context of the hotel.
Tasked with the repurpose of the mission-style villa, architecture and design firms Max von Werz Arquitectos and Jaune Architecture collaborated on the new vision. Taking cues from the country’s rich tradition of colors, textures, and craftsmanship, spaces are defined by the same green and red tones common to Mexican earthenware, old metals and woods, and woven materials. Nods to the historic origins come in the form of a massive double-door main entrance with original ironmongery, tall ironwork windows, exposed wood beams, tiled bathrooms, and striking red terrazzo floors.
Outside, a rough stucco façade highlights the villa’s character, while the L-shaped new build and 32 rooms frame a central courtyard, creating clusters of peaceful patios and gardens. From the central courtyard, guests will feel cocooned in the intimate nature of the property, while a full spa experience is available, as is a restaurant concept centered around Greek flavors.
Working with local artisans, Grupo Habita paid special attention to respect the surrounding environment through the implementation of a bioclimatic design. Central to this approach, an original pergola was restored—integral to the preservation of native vegetation. An outdoor kitchen encourages further guest interaction with the open-air and extensive greenery. As with their previous projects, the duo’s commitment to infusing the local experience into every aspect of the hotel comes from collaborating in a holistic sense. “We use a local team every time we build a hotel—the surroundings and their local traditions are the very heartbeat of our projects,” says Carlos Couturier. ‘’The idea is for guests to feel welcomed by the hosts of the Baja Club.’’
Perfect for sunseekers bound for the stunning Sea of Cortez, the new hotel, a member of Design Hotels, opens in the Spring.
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