Home & Ranch
Historic homesites in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
By DAVID HOFSTEDE
Founded in 1542, San Miguel de Allende is central Mexico's oldest city. Located along the legendary silver route known as the Antiguo Camino Real, the town became a haven for wealth, beauty, art, and culture.
"It is referred to as the Florence of Mexico," says Charles Banks, co-owner of the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende resort and the Artesana Rosewood Residences project, both of which are currently being built next to the town's historic district. "This is one of the most authentic places you can visit," Banks says. "The culture is very modern and sociable, but the integrity of the town has been preserved the way it was a long time ago. It's a very unique place."
Opening in fall 2010, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende will offer 63 guest rooms with luxury amenities, as well as several fine-dining options and a world-class spa featuring traditional and regional treatments.
"We wanted to take all the best that San Miguel has to offer and be an extension of that," Banks says. "This was achieved from a design standpoint by having the property look like a natural part of the city."
Artesana Rosewood Residences will feature two- to five-bedroom residences ranging from 1,800 to more than 7,000 square feet. The homes are priced from under $1 million to $3 million. Crafted by local artisans to re-create the appearance of old San Miguel, no two homes will look exactly alike.
September is a perfect time to visit the city, as this is when it hosts two of its most popular annual events from a calendar that boasts more than 100 yearly parades and fiestas. Independence Day falls on September 16, and the Feast of San Miguel Arcangel, which includes a 3 a.m. fireworks display, will be celebrated on the last weekend of the month.
• Info: www.artesanaresidences.com
Issue: September 2009
