Hacienda de Las Hermanas
Santa Fe is known for many great things, not the least of which is its unique architecture. Recently added to New Mexico’s most fabulous homes and estates is Hacienda de Las Hermanas, located in Tesuque Ridge Ranch, a preeminent gated community in Santa Fe’s prestigious north side. Hacienda de Las Hermanas is truly Santa Fe’s greatest Mexican hacienda estate property. From the numerous grand portals, the views of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountain ranges will steal your breath away. From the outdoor kitchen, adjacent to the expansive swimming pool, windows to the world reveal San Antonio Peak on the distant Colorado border.
A mere 2.5 miles from the heart of Santa Fe, Hacienda de Las Hermanas is accessed from Circle Drive and sited on 5.8 gently rolling acres. This Classical Mexican Colonial hacienda, designed by renowned DeWindt Architects in 2006, boasts 8,100 square feet of the highest quality materials and finishes. Nothing was spared in researching and hiring the most talented artisans and craftsman of Old and New Mexico to bring this masterpiece to life.
As you begin the enchanted drive along the meandering entrance dotted with dramatic boulders and cut stones, your sense of anticipation builds with each curve along the route. Soon the elegant parking court comes into view and huge classic gates beckon you to the walled garden and central courtyard fountain, where you pause to take in the inset stone block carvings of animals and geometry in addition to the massive Cantera stone cross that serves as a stunning finial to the highest point of the Hacienda’s gracious rooftop.
Entering through the hand carved doors of the Hacienda, a warm and spacious gallery embraces you for the moments before you pass through the smoothly carved Cantera doorway surround that welcomes you to the heart of the home. This extraordinary hacienda was designed for elegant entertaining as well as casual gatherings around any of the numerous fireplaces, luxuriating in one of the three gracious bedroom suites, or brainstorming in the stately office replete with custom, zebra wood cabinetry. Wherever you wander on the main level, your eyes are continually drawn beyond the oversized windows framing Mother Nature’s majesty, to unobstructed views and endlessly changing skies. Custom and hand crafted décor is evident throughout this colonial estate. Cedar lined closets, hand-adzed beams, latillas and traditional wooden vigas, hand forged wrought iron railings and hardware, floors of Portuguese limestone in public areas, fine woolen Berber carpet in the bedrooms, quarry tile and walnut tongue and groove floors set off antique wooden Mexican doors, gates and hand made nichos. Noteworthy craftspeople include Maurice Dixon, who skillfully punched tin to grace numerous surfaces in the kitchen, wet bar and baths; Pamela Platt, who waved her magic paintbrush on soft walls that beg to be touched and applied classic Mexican accents that set off faux finishes and dramatic ceiling textures; Gorky tile designs, that are featured in spacious bathrooms and intimate corners throughout the home.
On the Lower level of the home, activities abound. Either the gracious stairway or the birch-wood paneled elevator takes you to a two bedroom apartment that can function as comfortable guest or staff quarters. A fully equipped exercise room and adjacent ‘bunk room’ will accommodate old and young alike.
Wander down the hallway to the doors that lead to one of the most picturesque swimming pools in Santa Fe. Hand laid flagstone, outdoor shower and full cabana make entertaining fun and easy. An outdoor kitchen begs to be busy from sun up until sun down. Guests will also enjoy the wet bar, hot tub and numerous portals and private courtyards that this exemplary enclave offers.
Other special features include:
Additional building site for either equestrian or guesthouse design and construction
2 car garage
Private shared well
Elegant landscaping with automated irrigation systems
Water cistern/holding tank for additional water storage
Generator for back up power
HVAC – forced air natural gas fired heating and refrigerated air conditioning
Automated blinds/curtains
Two built-in safes
Temperature controlled cedar-lined closet
Abundant storage
Antique glass lanterns
Numerous custom lanterns and sconces inside and out
Imported Antique Mexican doors
Custom doors by Antique Warehouse
Built-in cabinetry by Samora
Satellite entertainment system
Sub-Zero 48” side-by-side refrigerator/freezer
Sub-Zero bar refrigerator
Two 30” warming drawers with stainless steel faces
Dacor 6-burner commercial range
Kitchen Aid microwave
2 Kitchen-Aid dishwashers
Kitchen-Aid ice maker
General Electric under counter White Collection washer and dryer
Construction and infrastructure:
ICF poured concrete construction by McDowell Construction
Mexican Cantera columns/pillars
Cantera custom crown molding
Recessed lighting
Fire suppression sprinkler system
Electricity: PNM – Public Service Company of New Mexico
Natural Gas: Gas Company of New Mexico
Telephone
Septic System
Association Fees: $1,300 per year
Property Taxes: $19,543.41 (2012)