150 YEARS OF HISTORY. THE RESTORATION OF THE SOLAR BRANCO ESTATE

2019 – THE GIN LIBRARY

THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE SOLAR BRANCO ECO ESTATE RESTORATION

Originally stables for the horses in the pre-car era, The Gin Library is a life long passion of all things juniper, created by co-owner of the estate Ali Bullock. The Gin Library is Europe’s largest gin collection, with over 600 bottles on display. 34 countries are represented from all around the world. Many have been brought to the estate by guests keen to share their own towns and cities creations, adding to The Gin Library and community.

NOW OPEN

2021 – ALI AND CAROLINE’S HOUSE

BUILT ADJACENT TO THE ESTATE AND HOTEL

While not part of the hotel build or project, our house was built adjacent to the grounds of the estate. Designed to be a home as well as a showcase of what we wanted to do with the buildings and how they could look and function once completed.

We were able to move into the house in the summer of 2021. This building continues to showcase what can be done by us, our architects and builders here in the Azores.

2022 – SENHOR RAPOSAS SECRET DRINKING DEN

OUR SPEAKEASY (AND FIRST HIDDEN BAR IN THE AZORES)

Originally designed to be accommodation. We decided to turn this into a secret bar, thanks in part to the success of The Gin Library and the many people who wanted to visit us.

With this in mind, a more exclusive space was dreamt up based on the legend of Senhor Raposa. A hidden door was created in the main area, leading guests back to 1860 as they walk past momentos of the legend of Senhor Raposa into his secret drinking den.

DUE TO OPEN SPRING 2023

2022 – THE RUIN

CRUMBLING WALLS BECOME A LUXURY HIDEAWAY

It was first hard to imagine that there was a usable building behind all the plants and weeds that had grown up around and over the building. A tree had sprouted through what remained of the structure, and gave us the inspiration for the indoor garden of the house.

DUE TO OPEN MARCH 2023

2023 – THE SOLAR

THE HEART OF THE ESTATE

It cannot be understated how much this house is the heart of the project. Built over 100 years ago, this building is the centre of the estate. With 3 luxury bedrooms, and a separate studio apartment upstairs, and a spacious dining area on the ground floor, making the most of the panoramic views over the green hills of São Miguel to the ocean beyond.

DUE TO OPEN spring 2023

2023 – THE GREEN PANTRY

LUXURY AND SUSTAINABILITY 

The 3 buildings (originally 1 farmer’s cottage and 2 pig styes) were hidden from view when the property fell into disuse. The area became overgrown and disused, mainly gaining trash from the surrounding areas. These forgotten treasures are now being reborn as 3 apartments.

DUE TO OPEN MARCH 2023

2023 – THE COTTAGE & PIG STYES

LUXARY AND SUSTAINABILITY 

The 3 buildings (originally 1 farmer’s cottage and 2 pig styes) were hidden from view when the property fell into disuse. The area became overgrown and disused, mainly gaining trash from the surrounding areas. These forgotten treasures are now being reborn as 3 apartments.

DUE TO OPEN JUNE 2023

2023 – THE BALEIA BUS

DRINKS ON THE GO 

We have taken an old, unloved, but very beautiful 1960’s VW bus and given it a new lease of life. The Baleia Bus will travel around the island of São Miguel serving our Baleia family of drinks.

DUE TO LAUNCH IN MARCH 2023

2025 – THE GARDENS

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE. AND HELPING THE BEES.

The restoration of the estate is just one part of a larger project, with sustainability at its heart. The gardens were unloved and overgrown. Work on clearing and restoring started in 2019. Fruit trees were rediscovered and new ones placed onto the grounds to show how the estate would have looked in the 1800s.

Key work on the full gardens will not be finished until 2025 at the earliest, and the project will be constantly ongoing.

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