Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica

Description

Hacienda del Cielo: A legacy property like no other in the Central Valley, this iconic Santa Ana luxury estate is an irreplaceable and timeless residence that for the first time in its history, is poised to change hands. While that change of hands can be considered a legacy, the true essence of the word refers to the lasting impact that the property will represent for generations to come and without a doubt, the impact that this home will have is immeasurable.

Like all iconic properties, it starts with location. The property was carefully selected by its current owners to build an estate like no other, that boasted a combination of convenience, exclusivity, privacy and of course, luxury. The property is situated on a hillside on the border of Escazu and Santa Ana , where the towering trees behind the home create a natural barrier for privacy, and the infinity views to the front of the property provide a loftiness, and depth that exudes the epitome of exclusivity. While the natural setting is such that you can only hear the sounds of birds and the trees swaying with the breeze, and void of any cars in sight or sound, it is also conveniently located less than 5 minutes to the area's hustling commercial sector including international restaurants, shops, banks, schools and entertainment. Often times homeowners speak of their desire to be close to it all, but be able to escape to their oasis upon entering the gates or doors to their own home: Welcome to Hacienda del Cielo.

Upon entering the guarded entrance at the bottom of the property, you will slowly meander up the private driveway, passing the pond and postcard gazebo until you reach the classic port cachere entrance. Talk about a sense of arrival.....the timeless Mediterranean Hacienda architecture was carefully designed by the only owners, and their architect, Alberto Reifer, to blend classic colonial accents, with an abundance of light, nature and of course the views. The home and its near 1400 sq meter of livable space, sprawls almost exclusively on one floor, with an awe inspired attention to detail. Upon entering the home, your eyes are immediately drawn to the two story, atrium ceiling, classic chandelier, and custom stucco walls throughout. Around every corner, a new gift of classical elegance awaits including majestic two story columns designed by Antonio Doninelli, stained glass windows, brick vaulted ceiling accents, emblematic custom, crafted hardwood built in furniture and ceiling highlights and meticulously placed lighting to feature each of every corner. In the formal vestibule, the home naturally splits in two directions with the private area of the residence to the right, and the social areas to the left. We will start with the social areas to highlight one of the core features of the home, which is its focus on entertainment.

At the entrance, there is a guest bathroom which emulates the details of the home including a hand-carved wood column, stained glass windows, as well as marble and stone accents. To the left of the entrance you will find an informal living room with intricate, built in artisan wood furniture, hardwood floors, and an expansive arched window overlooking the valley bringing in both fresh air, and natural light into the space. Leaving the living room, the hallway towards the social areas of the home are lined with Greek inspired columns that levitate the sequence of vaulted, brick ceiling details that follow, each adorned with a subdued accent chandelier. In the social areas, The architect masterfully incorporates the formal dining room, multiple living areas, bar and cocktail table, in a semi open, yet well defined and subtly delineated with custom wood frame as you pass from one ambience to the next. One of the living rooms boasts floor to ceiling glass to showcase the dominant valley views below and accented by a brick dome above, whose design is mirrored over the dining room across the hall, created a seamless symmetry that does not go unnoticed. The floor plan not only impresses the eye, but was designed with its use in mind, as each space connects with the next with pure intention. The dining room connects with an all but hidden rear door directly to the kitchen, which can also be accessed from the more private area of the home. The kitchen does not disappoint with a lush, green backdrop in the rear that brings in both natural light and stark bright contrast to the custom wood cabinetry. The ceiling again offers custom brick vaulted work carefully centered over the island and the chef’s kitchen is equipped with the finest in appliances including Viking double stove, convection oven, stovetop, hood and more. The secondary living room overlooks the bar, the cocktail table, and naturally flows out to the outdoor, covered terrace and entertainment section of the home.

The outdoor areas are truly an extension of the indoors and offer residents with an unmatched lifestyle to entertain family and friends. As you walk down the short staircase which hovers over the koi pond and underneath the skylight, you will discover a unique blend of areas including a casual living space around the natural fireplace, a grotto style jacuzzi, an outdoor bar and grill space, also equipped with state of the art Wolf appliances and a wetbar. Behind the grilling space, you will find a guest bathroom, sauna, as well as tower staircase, leading to a home gym, and outdoor terrace offering stunning views of the mountain setting. To the right of the outdoor living area, your curiosity will lead you behind the hidden pocket doors, and into the heart of the evening entertainment, where you will find a pool table, and home theater. Of course, like every other room in the home, these spaces are not spared the meticulous attention to detail including custom stone floors, hardwood built-ins and brick vaulted ceilings.

All of these covered entertainment areas overlook the pool, sundeck and gazebo which are located at the front of the property to take advantage of the soaring vistas. The free form pool has multiple seating areas including one just below the gazebo, creating unique social areas to enjoy amongst guests, as well as a hardwood sundeck which backs up to the hovering pine trees to the rear which provide a picture perfect backdrop, as well as a privacy barrier to the neighboring estate property.

We have explored all of the places to entertain in this home, so lets talk about where you will rest at the end of the day of work or pleasure. Back at the entrance of the home, if we go the south wing of the home, to the right and up the custom staircase, a one of a kind home office is born. The unmatched craftmanship of this stately office is evident in the wall to wall custom wood cabinetry, frames, ceiling latticework and floors. Moreover, as the office is perched in the tower on the second floor, the exterior is brought in through the large windows resulting in the perfect match between the elegance of the wood, and warmth of the natural light and green landscape.

As you head from the home office into the sanctuary of the private residence, there is a steel, pocket security door which can be locked at night, or during events, separating the social areas of the home. The elegant, marble lined hallway seemingly meanders with a symmetrical natural curve which opens onto two, guest suites on the right of the home, each with ensuite bathrooms, spacious layout and picture perfect views onto the valley. To the left, and carefully tucked behind the opposite wall, is the third guest bedroom which overlooks the garden to the rear of the home. In between the two, is the crown jewel in the principal suite of the Hacienda del Cielo. In true form of this masterpiece, a lobby awaits the residents, and short hallway leads you into the suite, which boasts a vaulted ceiling, a quaint, corner niche seating area, which along with the entire bedroom, faces to the western views of the valley and greenery that encompasses the property. Enjoying a sunset glass of wine from the comfort of your bedroom, and waking up to the calming views in the distance are a daily routine in this special setting. The primary suite offers his and hers walk in closets separated by a lobby with subdued lighting and ceiling accents, and a gallery inspired bathroom featuring a jacuzzi tub which is surrounding by custom, stained glass windows and marble from floor to ceiling. The space is finished off with the bathroom, equipped with walk in shower, and a powder room fit for a king and queen with dual vanities, and a stained glass window which opens up to the private forest behind the home.

Some things truly are inspiring. Make the decision now to make memories and a legacy to last a a lifetime at the Hacienda El Cielo.