A 19th-Century Mallorcan Townhouse Restored by &TEMPEL
Behind an unassuming stone façade in the winding streets of Sóller’s historic center lies a home full of surprises. At first glance, Palazzo Bartomeu blends quietly into the town’s centuries-old architecture. Step inside, however, and you enter a 675 square meter residence where history and contemporary design coexist in perfect harmony.
For nearly twenty years, the townhouse, constructed around 1800 for a prominent Mallorcan family, stood untouched until Danish designer Camilla van den Tempel, founder of the acclaimed studio &TEMPEL, discovered it in 2018.
“It was incredibly important to me not to demolish anything that could be saved or restored,” she says. “There’s nothing more beautiful than architecture with history, and from the moment I first saw the house, I knew this was a project I had to take on.”
photography by Jochen Arndt for Fantastic Frank
Her vision meant embracing the imperfections that tell the home’s story. Cracks in the spiral staircase, weathered wooden beams, and antique tiled floors were not hidden away, but celebrated. These textures provide a tangible connection to the past, lending warmth and authenticity to every room.
Originally built in the early 1800s during Sóller’s golden era of orange cultivation, the townhouse carries the weight of its history with grace. The palazzo’s three-story hall, a soaring space alive with light, connects its two wings via elegant bridges and rare marble steps adorned with delicate stone carvings.
Stucco capitals, ceiling cassettes, and relief-like balustrades whisper stories of the island’s past, while the building’s original quarry stone walls and antique tiled floors remain lovingly preserved.
Van den Tempel approached the renovation with her signature blend of Scandinavian minimalism and global inspiration. Every decision, whether to restore or reinvent, was made with precision and care.
The bathrooms and kitchen feature sleek smoked-oak cabinetry and smooth plaster finishes, creating a look of refined simplicity. A sculpted natural-stone washbasin nods to traditional Mallorcan craftsmanship, while Vola brass fittings and softly curved brass-framed mirrors add a touch of understated luxury.
Throughout, warm whites, sandy neutrals, brass accents, oak, and subtle metal tones weave together a design language that fuses Mallorcan heritage with clean Scandinavian elegance.
The palazzo’s true magic lies in its mastery of light and space. A pyramid-shaped glass skylight floods the central stairwell with Sóller’s signature golden glow.
At the same time, the flow of rooms, generous living and dining areas, six beautifully appointed bedrooms, and elegant bathrooms, feels both grand and intimate.
Beyond the main residence stretches a 130 m² garden patio, where a saltwater pool carved from green marble sourced in India shimmers beneath the sun.
Stairs descend on either side of the pool, framing reflections of water and sky. At the far end, a separate Casita guesthouse offers a tranquil retreat with its own bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living area, and wine cellar.
Its purist design, a study in Bauhaus-inspired proportions, whitewashed walls, and exposed wooden beams, quietly mirrors the balance of heritage and modernity found in the main house.
See also: Park Lane Copenhagen: A New, Exclusive Boutique Hotel in a Coastal Suburb Designed by &TEMPEL
Palazzo Bartomeu boasts one of Sóller’s rarest luxuries: a private rooftop terrace. From here, sweeping views unfold across the UNESCO-listed Tramuntana mountains, the village’s stone rooftops, and the bell tower of the iconic church.
The 19th-century townhouse has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as one of Mallorca’s most captivating private homes. The palazzo feels reborn; it is deeply rooted in its past yet thoughtfully designed for modern life.
Following the sensitive renovation, the palazzo is now listed for sale at Fantastic Frank Palma.
