This Secluded, 19th-Century Spanish Estate Is the Perfect Escape From Winter Blues

French architects Atelier du Pont gave this historic finca in Menorca a modern update befitting its posh amenities while staying true to its local roots.

Located high up on a hill, Es Bec d'Aguila is a place to truly escape urban life by finding sanctuary in Menorca's rugged landscape.

Most often, it’s the ritzy and crowded beaches of Mallorca, Ibiza, and Formentera that lure visitors to the Balearic Islands. Less well known than her neighbors in this archipelago just off eastern Spain is hushed and bucolic Menorca, a location that invites communing with nature. One such place to revel in this solitude is the hilltop Es Bec D’Aguila, a revamped 19th-century finca originally built by a wealthy merchant family as a weekend pad for hunting and entertaining. 

Located high up on a hill, Es Bec d'Aguila is a place to truly escape urban life by finding sanctuary in Menorca's rugged landscape.

Located high up on a hill, Es Bec d’Aguila is a place to truly escape urban life by finding sanctuary in Menorca’s rugged landscape.

Karel Balas

The finca was first built in the 19th century by a wealthy merchant family. Post-renovation, it retains its country charms.

The finca was first built in the 19th century by a wealthy merchant family. Post-renovation, it retains its country charms.

Karel Balas

Current owners Benedicta Linares and Benoit Pellegrini live in London with their three children, but for two weeks a year they all hole up at the finca, relaxing and taking in the beauty of the island where Linares grew up. When they are back in England, the sprawling Es Bec D’Aguila (Eagle’s Beak) is available for rental, buoyed by hotel-style perks like a private chef and concierge who orchestrates massages and pottery workshops. 

Handmade tiles, many of them beautifully preserved, unify the house's aesthetic.

Handmade tiles, many of them beautifully preserved, unify the house’s aesthetic. 

Karel Balas

See the full story on Dwell.com: This Secluded, 19th-Century Spanish Estate Is the Perfect Escape From Winter Blues
Related stories:

  • Escape to the Woods in These Sustainable, Community-Focused Canadian Cabins
  • Dwell’s Top 10 Travel Stories of 2019
  • Now You Can Spend the Night in Hygge Supply’s New, Ultra-Modern Kit Home

Similar Posts

  • Easter Decor Ideas for Design Lovers

    Easter is around the corner, and the spring collections have been revealed! There are so many beautiful color palettes to celebrate this time of year, and Easter gives us a chance to enjoy the wonder of spring while spending time with the people we care about. Design lovers will be happy to know that there’s […]

    You’re reading Easter Decor Ideas for Design Lovers, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

  • The New Old

    It all started with a pendant light found in an exhibition in Paris. Named the New Old Light, it mixes eastern and western styles, old and modern aesthetics and encapsulated a lot of the ideals for a young Taiwanese American couple as they started their new home. This concept of the New Old extended beyond the light and became a central tenet to the renovation once the couple moved back to this space as a family with twins. The project was a small renovation of a kitchen and living room in a 1,000-square-foot condo to accommodate the family. The renovation included new floors, lighting, kitchen cabinetry, custom millwork and ceramic dinnerware for the space. The kitchen island design was inspired by Donald Judd’s library table. It had to provide adequate storage for the kitchen as well as function as an eating/work space at times. In addition, the island was constructed so that the storage volume could be removed from the bookcase legs and table top, for future use as a counter-height table. Sliding doors are constructed with hidden sliding hardware, and the design was inspired by traditional Shoji screens. Ceramic dinnerware was custom created for the kitchen space.

  • Timeless 1890’s Shipbuilder’s Cabin on Vashon Island Turned into Coastal Home

    Finding new purpose for old structures often means taking a cue from the past and integrating the old with the new in a seamless manner. Nestled on the beautiful Vashon Island in Washington, this gorgeous home was once a shipbuilder’s cabin that was originally built in 1890. Hoedemaker Pfeiffer were brought in to turn this […]

    You’re reading Timeless 1890’s Shipbuilder’s Cabin on Vashon Island Turned into Coastal Home, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.