On the corner of Dona Luz, across from the Guadalupe Church, stands a two – story, Territorial Hacienda with a fountain in the courtyard, where once there was a well.
Now owned by Taos-based Architect Doug Patterson and his wife, Page, the Hacienda houses one of the sweetest rentals in town.
The building is the oldest (former residence) on the block. It was built by Don Jose de la Cruz Santistevan and his wife, Dona Maria after they arrived from Spain in the 1800’s. They farmed in Los Colonias and this was their Winter home. For many years it was known simply as the Santistevan House. It was part of the original village that surrounded the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and is a block away from Padre Martinez’ Hacienda on Martinez Lane.
“We originally bought this property because it is one of the most beautiful historic properties in Taos”, Page Patterson told me, when we met last week for tea and a chat about her rental apartment in the building.
Rumor has it, that at one time the building was a brothel with tunnels running below it, connecting it to the old Courthouse and jail on the Plaza, but Page says she’s found no evidence of this, and if there was a tunnel, it’s long been boarded up and buried under cement.
Since I’ve lived in Taos, the building has housed a variety of businesses, but these days a Mexican restaurant (Bella’s) rents the downstairs, while the upstairs now serves as a home away from home for visitors to Taos.
The courtyard is planted with perennials that have been added to over the years, and in the Spring a riot of colour spills out onto the sidewalk.
Page and her husband, Doug met in Taos in 1994. From their humble beginnings as a young couple, they have accomplished much together here in the Land of Enchantment.
“I was a potter and he had just graduated from Architecture School in Cincinnati,” She told me. ” We built an Earthship on the Mesa and had babies, and I started Taos Clay (a community Clay Studio) while Doug joined Living Designs Group Architects.”
Doug Patterson, President of Living Designs Group, has committed his architectural practice to projects of the highest sustainable caliber. His dedication to sustainable design has enabled his firm to complete some of the largest and greenest projects in Northern New Mexico. He was the Architect who designed the impressive original structure at the El Monte Resort and Spa.
The couple’s children, now in their teens are competitive skiers and the Pattersons “spend a good part of the winter traveling to ski areas around the country and Canada.”
“We ride horses, raft, climb and trail run in the warmer months, and sometimes even in the colder months too,” Page laughed. “We’re very active.”
Active they are and one wonders where Page finds time for her thriving Real Estate Business with all this activity going on, but clearly time management is not an issue for this super mom!
Patterson purchased this apartment in 2008 for use as an Architecture office, but a few years ago, after saving $25,000 in commissions on sales, Page used the money to renovate the space and turn it into the rental it is today.
The excellent location aside, the apartment is a stunning space that has been brought squarly into the 21st Century; beautifully appointed with Italian leather couches, high thread count linens, and king size organic mattresses, not to mention state of the art appliances, and a design sensibility that clearly imprints it with an Architect’s touch.
A french press, good coffee and a bottle of wine provided by Page for her guests, add to the sense of quiet luxury the apartment is imbued with. The proximity to the center of town, great shopping, galleries and restaurants, make this a prime spot to stay while visiting the area. It is a great location if you are planning to ski in the winter or spend days rafting and hiking in the summer. And forget your alarm clock, you won’t need it. The church bells ring on the hour.
My brother Greg and nephew David stayed here last Winter and loved it. They were thrilled with the location and the modern amenities (coming from NYC) and found Page to be very helpful and super accommodating.
The apartment as you can see, is quite spacious and can sleep several people.
For all the details and much more information on this gorgeous space, please contact Page Patterson and definitely check out the apartment’s listing on Airb&b linked below this post for more images and to make your reservation.
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