Palacio de las Magnolias, a 19th century Indian jewel

In the centre of the town of Mazcuerras, opposite the Plaza de Concha Espina, stands this impressive mansion built by the Indianos. It was inaugurated in 1882, according to the inscription on the gate at the entrance to the extensive estate that houses it.

Mazcuerras belongs to the western coast of Cantabria, barely 45 kilometres from Santander. The west of Cantabria, unlike the east, has remained safe from massive construction due to the delay in the construction of the Cantabrian motorway, completed in the 21st century, so there are no urban developments, which makes this town an exclusive residential area, with large mansions, very close to the beaches, the Oyambre Nature Reserve, the Saja-Besaya Park and Monte Corona, with access to services within a few kilometres.

Nearby is the Real Club de Golf de Pedreña, 40 km away, the Real Club de Golf de Oyambre, one of the oldest in Spain, and the Club de Santa Marina, designed by Severiano Ballesterosa. Santander airport is 30-40 km away and the Marqués de Valdecilla Hospital is 30 minutes away.

Historically it was the old Malacoria on the route of the Route of the Foramontanos, ancient settlers of Castile at the time of the Reconquest. Named village of Cantabria 2008 for its historical, cultural and environmental values. Because of its architectural heritage, it is known as “La aldea de las Casonas” (the village of mansions) and because of its links to literature it is known as “Luzmela”, as it is the setting for one of the most popular novels by the writer Concha Espina: “La niña de Luzmela” (The girl from Luzmela), who lived in this village. It is also known as “the town of flowers” for its great tradition in the cultivation of flowers, plants and trees that adorn public spaces and the façades of its buildings. Los Viveros Escalante, with more than a century of antiquity and 20 hectares of land spread throughout the town, is linked to the design of its spectacular gardens.

The property is bordered on all four sides by a public road. The main façade with the entrance facing south. The enclave of the house, surrounded by 7.200 m2 (deeded) and with a real measurement of valuation made by Tinsa of 13.783 m2 of garden, with the four orientations and with a perimeter fence of important height, which gives the property a total privacy. From inside the garden we can enjoy a spectacular sunset, with Monte Corona and the natural park of Oyambre in the background, between the gaps of the trees wisely distributed.

We quote a paragraph by the writer Josefina Aldecoa from her book En la distancia: “The river Saja at his feet, the mountain at his back. Meadows, trees and plants in the orchards, flowers in the windows of the houses, mountains. Tranquillity. Peace. Time seemed to have stopped in that friendly and welcoming place”.

The Indian heritage is part of our history and an exhibition such as this one is a recognition of those who went to sea to make their fortune and then left their mark. That is why they are called the houses that came from the sea.

This is an example of an Indian house, a palace characteristic of the eclectic architecture of the 19th century; it owes its name to the numerous species of magnolia trees that flood the estate where it is located. The director of the work was Germán Del Río Iturralde. Built in stone and brick, it has a square shape, with two lateral bodies to the east and west, which gives the building volume.

The height of the building is divided into two floors and a mezzanine. The façades are made of slender ashlar masonry. Two bodies stand out, the main wall and, attached to it, a pentagonal body that juts out. At its base, the staircase, decorated with artificial stone vases and lions, has an entrance porch on which it rises, with slender cast-iron or cast-iron columns. These serve as the starting point for raised arches, above which there is a spacious and severe polygonal oriel, crowned by a balcony, with a frontispiece in the form of a shield, with a cornice decorated with rosettes or flowers, with the initials of the owner of the estate. These same initials are repeated on the entrance portholes, as well as the year of its inauguration, 1882. A curious feature of this doorway is a pair of eagles that act as a stop to the porthole.

It needs to be adapted to the new needs of the next owner. The property has facade protection but the interior can be easily adapted. Contrary to most cases, it is in a good state of conservation, in use and well maintained. The interior mouldings have been refurbished and the original unique character has been preserved. The installations have been updated. The following need to be renovated: kitchen, bathrooms, roof refurbishment and carpentry. The ground floor and first floor are currently in use, the attic is open-plan and unused.

There is a potential extension. The property is urban, so it is possible to increase its buildability, according to the consultation made to the town hall. The surface area of the plot is 6.840 m2, deeded 7.200 m2 and with a real measurement of valuation carried out by Tinsa of 13.783 m2. With these metres, urbanism allows the construction of an additional 1.435 m2 so that the total buildable area amounts to 2.505 m2.
It is worth mentioning the possible recovery of the garden house (currently the woodshed), which was demolished in the past, twin and symmetrical to the guest house.
The facades are protected but the interior is subject to alterations and redistribution and could easily be adapted to more contemporary uses.

Profitability options:
1. 5-star boutique hotel. The area is registering a very high demand for quality tourism and is being the focus of both national and foreign investment due to its growth potential, investment route and special beauty. Its strategic location is perfect for a high quality hotel, as they are scarce in the area and it would be located just 20 minutes from Comillas and the best beaches of the natural park of Oyambre, Gerra, San Vicente de la Barquera, towns like Santillana del Mar, etc, thanks to its quick access to the A8 which strategically places us close to everything, with Santander airport 40km away and the train station of Torrelavega 20Km away. The projects focused on luxury tourism are proliferating in the area, which points to an exponential growth in this segment, making this property a unique investment at an unbeatable price that will have an important real estate career. This property is already arousing the curiosity of tourists interested in contemplating both its famous gardens, cared for in detail, and the splendour of its architecture, being a unique project that appears in the books of Indian architecture of the 20th century as one of its best examples. Undoubtedly a singular jewel difficult to find in the real estate market, as they are rarely accessible. For a boutique hotel, 8 suites could be established in the palace, spa area, gym and wellness treatments in the woodshed, restaurant and private lounges in the guest house and a new construction module where 13 spacious suites could be created. Possibility to re-establish the former outdoor swimming pool.
2. Possibility to build up to 13 houses of up to 100m2 according to the town planning regulations.
3. A residential project for rental as a luxury home, it is a safe investment. With a rehabilitation distributed in 8 suites in the palace house, and a pavilion with heated swimming pool and gym in the woodshed of the garden and in the guest house, an independent dwelling for private or mixed use can be fitted out.4. The literary links between Las Magnolias and female authors living in Mazcuerras, such as Concha Espina, Matilde de la Torre and Josefina Aldecoa, are an important attraction. Mazcuerras is the town of women writers and a place of inspiration for all of them who established their residence here. Their relationship with the territory and the history of the town, makes us think about the creation of a Centre for cultural activities as an alternative and/or complementary option to the residential destination or a residence-coliving where creativity and the arts are the common thread.
5. Special setting for a signature restaurant with accommodation.