Arroios, Lisbon

This regal townhouse, known as Centenary Palacete, was constructed in 1901. It stands in a privileged location in the heart of Lisbon in Arroios, described by Time Out as the coolest neighbourhood in the world. The townhouse is in the middle of Rua Antero de Quental, anchored by the Italian embassy at one end and the former Desterro monastery/hospital at the other. Desterro is currently undergoing a rebirth, which, when finished, will open up new public spaces, restaurants, retail, offices and residential flats. The iconic Lisbon fish restaurant Ramiro sits in front of Desterro, and across the road, the 1908 Hotel has recently opened. The entrance to 1908 is on Largo do Intendente, which will soon add to its neighbours the first Soho House in Lisbon. The townhouse has undergone a two-year refurbishment program inside and out. It comprises four floors and 444 m of usable internal space. There are three main entrances from the street, numbers 19, 23 and 27. Number 19 serves as the entrance to the mezzanine floor prepared as a self-contained apartment. The studio space accessible from number 23 historically has been used for retail/office accommodation. Following its renovation, diverse opportunities exist to use the ground floor studio as a gym, gallery or other workspace. For those needing car parking, this option is also available. Number 27 provides access to the main house. The impressive entrance hall leads to the principal floor, which has been sensitively restored, retaining panelling, stucco work, marble and wood effect. There are eleven rooms on this floor, including the vestibule/study, drawing room, large dining room, two bedrooms, a dressing room and two bathrooms, kitchen and separate pantry and a garden room. Close attention has been paid to lighting, mixing modern with vintage. The furnishings also mix new with old, including pieces from iconic modern designers and antique Portuguese furniture acquired from the former owner whose family purchased the townhouse in 1903, two years after it was built.The second floor has undergone a total reconfiguration. It provides a secondary kitchen, two large bedrooms, three bathrooms and an area that can be used for living/dining or as a further large bedroom. This floor retains high ceilings and has five doors, which give access to small external terraces which could be expanded on the garden side if desired. Heating and cooling for the townhouse are supplied by discrete air-conditioning units on the ground floor, mezzanine and second floor. Electric wall-mounted panel radiators provide heating on the first floor for the few weeks it may be needed. The jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the most beautiful private garden accessed from the principal floor extending to 115 m. This exterior space has also undergone extensive renovation. It incorporates a large terrace for outside dining and an upper level containing a Mediterranean garden with cypress trees, an ancient olive tree and raised planting with rosemary and lavender. A heated pool with an inground polycarbonate electric cover and jets for resistance swimming has been installed. A further area is set aside for lounging in the Lisbon sun.Curated furnishings are available for sale by separate negotiation.