The Story behind our villa in Santo Domingo

We dreamed of creating a minimalist villa rental for independent travelers.

As a Venezuelan-Spanish couple, we are deeply aware of the rich cultural fusion created by Spanish heritage in Hispanoamerica, particularly in the Dominican Republic.

How did the FIXIE LOFTS story begin?

During our visit to Ciudad Colonial in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, we witnessed a transformation taking place. From an old, disregarded area to a charming and tranquil district, perfect for the slow travel experience we envisioned creating.

We had observed similar transformations in places like Panama and Cartagena, to provide some nearby examples.

Months were spent searching for the right building that would enable us to create the ideal villa rental in Dominican Republic for independent travelers.

This colonial house had a treasure in the backyard: ancient arches and walls. From our experience, we immediately recognized the magic and historical value, despite the ruined state. The rammed earth walls, 30 inches wide, were impressive.

Of course, this meant we had to restore the building from the ground up, transforming it into one of the most unique group accommodations in Santo Domingo DR.

«They took a historic building… and transformed it into a retreat» 

FORBES

Can you tell us about the history of this colonial villa?

During the restoration, something remarkable was revealed: the archway and walls belonged to San Nicolás de Bari, the first hospital built in the Americas from 1503 to 1508, and declared a UNESCO Heritage Site.

The hospital, built upon a Renaissance pattern, functioned for 400 years, which is remarkable. It was sacked by Drake in 1586 and was financially supported by the Spanish Crown afterward. Decadence began in the late 1800s due to earthquakes and other circumstances. It was partly demolished in 1911.

Can you elaborate on the sustainable design approach?

"The greenest building is one that already exists" (Carl Elefante).

We made the choice to restore instead of demolish and build anew. Restoration is the most environmentally friendly approach to architecture.

Given that the house lacked floors and solid roofs, our challenge was to preserve the original walls while creating comfortable and modern Santo Domingo apartments.

In line with vernacular Caribbean architecture, we utilized natural air circulation and sunlight. The expansive inner courtyard functions as a cooling garden retreat, following the Spanish tradition.

While exploring Ciudad Colonial Santo Domingo, we noticed hotels with poorly ventilated and dimly lit rooms. Instead of adding more rooms, we made the choice to build fewer rooms and dedicate the extra space to a pool and gardens, creating a true villa rental experience.

The walls were re-plastered using lime mortar instead of cement to retain the natural thermal and acoustic properties of the raw earth.

We approached the restoration with a discreet "less is more" mindset, allowing the building's simplicity to speak for itself.

Luis Barragan's clutter-free emotional architecture served as inspiration for the project. Growing up surrounded by thick earthy walls and churchyards, he incorporated elements of silence and water into his works, resulting in a unique blend of contemporary and monastic aesthetics.