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Following is an extract from the book “Puerto Rico 1900 – Turn-of-the-Century Architecture in the Hispanic Caribbean 1890-1930” written by Architect Jorge Rigau, pages 188 – 204:
objects and a mature handling of The Spanish Revival house. As a style, traditional space. This is particularly the revival was applied to all previously important given the widespread existing housing typologies. Stairs conception of Spanish Revival architecture became somewhat prominent elements, as devoid of any clear concerns for spatial as did garden gates and carports. The latter, whether integrated into a building’s sequence. Sequence, however, was the top priority in structures such as the Castillo mass or free-standing, reflected the Serrallés and the Castillo de Mario popularity of the automobile. In many Mercado, both dating from the early instances, a patio was incorporated into thirties. the house. It was an element Pedro de Castro acknowledged at the designed the former; time, and especially in Francisco Porrata Doria larger residential was the architect of the work, as “the latter. Called “castles” (as outstanding feature of in Hearst’s Castle), each the plan.”. Enclosed or of these villas sits on a semi closed patios hill overlooking the became the core adjoining town and around which the Castillo Serrallés in Ponce, Puerto Rico nearby sea. The house was organized, spectacular siting, all alone on lots that an example being the Ubaldino Ramirez know no end, reinforces the sculptural de Arellano house in Mayagüez, where a quality of these structures, highly courtyard and two axes perpendicular to articulated in both plan and elevation. At each other organize the spatial sequence first, whim and effect may seem to have and establish two important vistas, one guided the design. However, both facing the countryside, the other examples evidence a spatial sophistication overlooking the sea. This house is unsurpassed by other projects on the representative of one of the Spanish island or, for the matter, any of Addison Revival’s most significant residential Mizner’s comparable revival efforts in endeavors, that of the villa on the Florida. In the Castillo Serrallés, symmetry outskirts of town, which underlined the and asymmetry are cleverly juxtaposed. period’s dual concern with buildings as
In The Castillo de Mario Mercado (an enormous, castlelike house with an access reminiscent of that of La Alhambra), the same theme is handled in an even more complex manner. Not one but two axes run parallel to one another, organizing in a unique way the asymmetrical building, which was camouflaged during World War II to elude a German attack that never materialized. The main spatial sequence is a linear one, based on the continuous shift from one axis to the other. Important spaces, openings, steps, and stairs line up, but not in immediate succession.
neither of the two Mizner projects can claim as elaborate or fully developed a spatial sequence as their Puerto Rican counterparts.
Whether they were designed for rich sugar barons or for less wealthy revival devotees, façades were handled as an interplay of solids and voids, of walls and openings. One such sugar baron was Mario Mercado, who owned all the valley land that could be seen from the Castle. Also, owned and operated “Central Rufina”, the areas’ sugar mill, which could be seen and controlled from the Castle as well. Elevations were the Castillo de Mario Mercado - Guayanilla, Puerto Rico product of balance, but Here, one moves never of total from one space to the other, with always symmetry, for the absence of the latter, one of the two axes as reference. according a well-known text of the time, Examples like these Castillos should “would add interest to design”. encourage a new reading of the Spanish Asymmetrical elevations, pregnant with Revival as a style concerned with space as local symmetries, added to the picturesque an abstract element, and not just a trifling effects pursued, making the house “take its or perfunctory expression. St. place as part of the landscape”, all of which Petersburg’s Casa Coe da Sol could be was related to the overstated concern for said to share a parti with the Castillo contrasting horizontality and verticality. Serrallés, and the William M. Wood house in Palm Beach bears some similarities to Watchtowers placed against a flat, the Castillo de Mario Mercado; but two-story volume had their lower scale
A One-of-a-Kind investment.
MAJESTIC CASTLE with great historic value. UNIQUE ARCHITECTURE (Appearing in several pages of Architecture Books). Known as "El Castillo" (The Castle) for its great size and position at the top of the hill from which you dominate 360 degree views of the Caribbean Sea, the flat lands of the Sugar Cane Mill ("Central Rufina") belonging to the original owner of the Castle, and the inland mountains. The views from any one of the various terraces in each of the four stories of this beautifully restored Castle and its landscape are breathtaking. Perfect for enjoyment as a first or second home as well as vacation property. It also serves those investors in the Hospitality Industry: Hotel (Castle has 6.2393 "cuerdas" (one cuerda equals approximately .97 acre) of well maintained land ideal for development); Excellent for Bread and Breakfast, Inn or Guest House; Ideal for Private Clinic or Rehabilitation Center; Serves even as Corporate Headquarters or Executive mansion. Excellent for Private Museum (because of its history) with VIP Restaurant; Ideal for the filming of movies or TV Series, etc, etc. Your imagination will burst with income producing ideas at the moment you visit this charm of the Caribbean. Rustic floors, 9 bedrooms, 9 1/2 bathrooms, 4 kitchens, its own water well and cistern; 16,268 square feet of construction with an impressive view of Guayanilla Harbor; beautiful gardens with fruit trees; Private Electric Gated Entrance and private road going up to the Castle. Huge wine cellar space located in a conveniently and naturally cool basement used as a storage/repair room also.
Above: Backyard landscape with swimming pool and sea view.
Below: Gated Entrance on Road 127.
Above: Front Gardens showing former fountain. Below: Another view of the backyard landscape.
Above: Foyer or Former Reception Area with Covered Terrace. Below: South View. Observe the ship docks.
Above: Wood ceilings in the Living Room. Below: View to the West from one of the many Terraces, where Road #2 is seen.
Above: South View from first level Terrace. Below: Swimming Pool and Putting Green on the background.
Above: Sea View and Guayanilla Harbor. Below: Original concrete trellis on the second floor overlooking East.
Above: Facade of the back view. Below: South side of the front facade.
Above: Original car garage pending remodeling. Below: Water reservoir system (has its own water well).
Above: “The Eye of the Fishermen Monument” at the Fishermen’s Villa. Below: Guayanilla harbor and fishing activities.
First, Second and Third floor layout distribution. Basement distribution exists, but is not included.
Above: Perimeter Layout of the Properties’ lot size, according to surveyor. Below: Same approximate layout applied to Google’s
Above: View of Guayanilla Bay & the oil refineries from Google’s Satellite. Below: Closer view of the Castle from Google’s
Below: Front Cover of Architect Jorge Rigau’s Book about the Turn-of-theCentury Architecture in the Hispanic Caribbean. Pages 196 through 203 in this book are dedicated to describe the history of the architecture of Mario Mercado’s Castle. Some pictures about the previous deteriorated condition of the Castle and
Above: Page 197 on Architect Jorge Rigau’s book. Front garden in its abandoned state before remodeling.
Page 198 on Architect Jorge Rigau’s book. Above: Aerial view. Below: Part of the front facade.
Page 199 on Architect Jorge Rigau’s book. Above: Front of reception area behind front garden. Below: Part of the front facade.
Page 200 on Architect Jorge Rigau’s book. Drive-through VIP reception
Page 201 on Architect Jorge Rigau’s book. Left:Water reservoir tower at highest terrace.
Below: VIP Reception terrace.
Page 202 on Architect Jorge Rigau’s book. Above: Observation deck from the highest terrace. Below: East side terrace with
Above: Page 203 on Architect Jorge Rigau’s book. East side
Guayanilla Sites & Attractions
Photographs from Top to Bottom: “Ojo del pescador”, “Bahía de la Villa Pesquera”, Attraction Castle, Cavern & Port.
Guayanilla Sites & Attractions
Photographs from Top to Bottom: Seashore Drive, Boardwalk & “Kioskos”, Cave, “Central Rufina” & Hiking Trail.
LOGROS PROFESIONALES / PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
First Puerto Rican REALTOR® to achieve a Seniors Real Estate Specialization(SRES). Awarded 2005 REALTOR® OF THE YEAR by the Sales & Marketing Executives Association (SME). Awarded 2004 REALTOR® OF THE YEAR by the Mayagüez Board of REALTORS®. Highest Grade in 1998 Real Estate Broker Bar Exam in Puerto Rico. Awarded 1994 EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR by the Sales & Marketing Executive Association in Communications Industry. First Puerto Rican REALTOR® to achieve a Luxury Homes Marketing Specialization (LHMS).
To schedule a showing please call:
787-422-2222 For more information about the Castle and the interactive photos please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y-OB_FfkfQ http://www.bengie.com/Guayanilla/Puerto_Rico/Multifamily_Dwellings/Playa_Ward/Agent/ Listing_142362914.html Copyrights ©: Unauthorized photocopying, faxing, scanning, duplicating, reprinting, Unauthorized use use of ofthis thismarketing marketingmaterial material(such (suchasasbut butnot notlimited limitedtoto photocopying, faxing, scanning, duplicating, reprinting, use on a website, and using this material in your marketing as a Broker/Realtor as if this material were your creation, even though it your marketing as a Broker/Realtor as if this material were your creation, even though itmight mighthave have been handed owners of the property) without the expressed written consent of Benjamín Rodríguez Realty, D/B/A handed to toyou youbybythethe owners of the property) without the expressed written consent of Benjamín Rodríguez López,Bengie D/B/A Bengie Rodríguez is prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted. & strictly Associates is strictly prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted.