Cantón Mansion - Rent a piece of history in Merida
- bedrooms 2
- baths 1
- sleeps 4
- pool yes
- hot tub no
- pets allowed no
- type House
- community
-
rates (USD)
$
850
-
$
950
/ week
$ 1,995 - $ 2,495 / month
vacation rental description
This is a rare opportunity to stay in a truly historic and wonderfully elegant house. Cantón Mansion comprises three adjacent double height colonial townhouses that were built by one of the most famous native political figures in Yucatan’s history, Generalissimo Francisco Gregorio Cantón Rosado (1833-1917). General Cantón was in charge of all Mexico’s armed forces and later was governor of the Yucatan peninsular. He retired in 1902, one of the wealthiest Yucatecans of that era, owning many haciendas during the henequen boom.
On Paseo de Montejo stands one of Merida’s landmark buildings, Palacio Cantón, which for the past 60 years or so has been used as Merida’s Anthropology Museum, but was the home of General Cantón until his death there in 1917. The Cantón Mansion on Calle 56, part of which is offered for rent here, was constructed for his three sons, and the eldest, Eduardo, lived in this house. The three houses were originally connected on the second floor by archways, doors and terraces.
The house is presently owned by Christopher Collins Lee, concertmaster with the Yucatan Symphony Orchestra, and Christopher occupies the second floor of the property.
Guests will have exclusive use of the ground floor of the property except for the entrance hallway and staircase which the owner will use for access to the second floor when he is in residence; his international playing schedule means he is often away from Merida for weeks at a time. If he is in residence while you are staying you may have the pleasure of hearing a violin maestro practicing his art, however Christopher would like to stress that the privacy of guests will be respected at all times.
The ground floor consists of a living room, dining room, kitchen, two bedrooms, bathroom, two inner courtyards, and the garden with terrace and large pool. There is also a music room on the ground floor with two pianos which may be available to guests who play the piano.
Like the Palacio Canton, to the north, the Canton Mansion was conceived and constructed by Italian architects and craftsmen led by Enrico Desarti, built in an eclectic style, with neoclassical, Spanish colonial, and French baroque elements. Desarti is also credited with building the Peon Contreras Theater just two blocks away from this house, where the symphony orchestra performs.
The Mansion Canton was constructed with and on top of megalithic Mayan building stones, which they used, turning them into the foundation, subterranean cisterns and walls. Under the front courtyard with the lion head fountain, for instance, lies the stone living room of a large Mayan dwelling inhabited over 1,000 years ago.
Though modern plumbing (street water) and concealed electrical wiring have been added, along with comfortable modern furniture, air conditioning, wi-fi and many other comforts of home, it should be stressed that the owner has opted to restore this historic house in much of its original Porfirian style, keeping many antique elements, the age-worn tiles being a notable example. It serves as a celebration of times past and an inspiration for the future. It is not modern, but rather for the historically and artistically responsive, it is in this spirit that the house is offered and hopefully appreciated.
The house is ideally located just two blocks from Santa Lucia and four blocks from Merida’s main plaza, Parque Principal, making it the perfect location from which to explore on foot Merida’s architectural, cultural and culinary delights.
Additional photos available on request. Also available on request are the dates when the owner Chris will be in residence.
property availability
Last modified on 04-29-2013 at 11:13 AM.
email owner view full calendar
Neil Youngson 011-52-1-9999020452
house rental amenities
Sleeps 2-4 adults (sorry, no pets, children by agreement)
2 air-conditioned bedrooms with queen-size beds with high quality mattresses and linens. Both bedrooms open onto the second courtyard.
Living/reading room with comfortable modern leather furniture, well stocked library containing many best sellers both fiction and non-fiction, chess set.
Marble-walled dining room seats six people beneath the crystal chandelier.
Kitchen equipped with fridge/freezer, gas cooker, microwave oven, toaster, coffee maker, blender and plenty of cooking utensils and good quality pots and pans. The kitchen is open onto the second courtyard where there is a table and chairs for an alfresco breakfast.
Bathroom with shower, toilet, renovated using traditional polished concrete. Above the bathroom is a mezzanine with washing machine and cloths rack.
Totally private garden with terrace providing natural shade and hammock for your afternoon siesta. On the terrace is wrought iron garden furniture and next to the terrace the large pool.
There is also a music room at the front of the house containing two pianos one of which is a Steinway grand. Guests who are musicians may request access to this room.
A weekly house cleaning and laundry service is included in the price. Electricity is charged separately based on usage. A pool maintenance service is also included.
Bedrooms and bathroom are equipped with linens and towels, and the bathroom equipped with essential soaps and shampoos, etc. There is an iron and ironing board, and hair dryer.
Wi-fi internet is provided, and a TV with cable service and DVD player is provided in the first bedroom. Due to the preserved historic nature of the house it is not possible to have TV in the living room.
English speaking property manager
vacation rental rates
Low season April 1st to October 31st
Minimum 1 week stay
$850 USD per week
$1,995 USD per month
Electricity charged separately
High season November 1 to March 31
Minimum 1 week stay
$950 USD per week
$2,495 USD per month
Electricity charged separately
Neil Youngson 011-52-1-9999020452
accepted payment methods
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