Villa Elvira Lanzarote welcome page

Villa Elvira: a soul with an upgrade

We felt an immediate connection when we first visited the house in late 2023. Although it was completely uninhabitable, we could see its potential without compromising its soul. Villa Elvira was renovated with care and respect for the original architecture; the guiding principle was to "preserve what is possible and improve where necessary."

Evidence of this approach can be seen in the preservation of the interior moldings, wooden doors and door frames, the flooring and ceiling in the living room, and the staircase, as well as the original shape of the swimming pool and the terraced areas with their pergolas. The layout’s flow was so strong that it was kept intact; the only change was dividing the downstairs bathroom into an en-suite and a separate toilet.

At the same time, the house had stood empty for so long that replacing all the windows and doors—replicating the original designs—was essential. The distinctive chimney caps were also rebuilt according to the original concept.

Charming set of instructions

Naturally, an older house comes with its quirks. For instance, the drainpipes are much narrower than what we are accustomed to in Northern Europe, so water drains more slowly from the shower and bathtub. The water supply system also has its peculiarities: sometimes you get hot water by turning the tap to the blue setting. However, a large *aljibe*—an underground water reservoir beneath the patio fed by the public utility—ensures a constant water supply (as outages are frequent). Consequently, you hear a pump kick in whenever you use the water.

Modern comfort and sustainablility

Added comforts include Wi-Fi throughout the house and air conditioning in all bedrooms and the living room (providing cooling in summer and heating in winter). Solar panels generate enough energy to filter and heat the pool, while batteries store the excess solar energy produced during the day. Connection to the public electricity grid ensures that all modern appliances function reliably.

Living with nature

Villa Elvira is situated right in the heart of nature. This is delightful if you are looking for peace and quiet, and a chance to encounter local wildlife—such as small lizards, geckos, and various bird species—as well as ants that sometimes have their eye on leftover food. So, the golden rule is to keep everything securely sealed.

After tidying up and creating space in the garden, we are selecting plants that reflect the landscape and are preferably endemic species. It is a ‘work in progress.’ The two Canary Island palms are centuries old, while the date palms are younger.

Plants here grow in volcanic soil, requiring roots to anchor deeply to find water and withstand the island winds, the sun, and the *calima*. The *calima* is a wind that carries sand from the Western Sahara in Africa. Consequently, you find sand everywhere—on the cars, in the pool, and on the terraces—and it easily gets tracked into the house. The *pozo* (natural well) provides the water for irrigation.

We hope you enjoy the same experience we do whenever we stay in this house.

Els & Guy