Inside Casa Bomboti: The Design-Led Restoration Reimagining Heritage Living in Mexico

A restored 18th-century residence in San Miguel de Allende sets the tone for a new chapter in heritage hospitality, where contemporary design and centuries-old craftsmanship coexist in remarkable harmony.

By Catherine Mo | June 10, 2026 | Category travel-leisure

In Mexico's most celebrated historic cities, the conversation around preservation is evolving. Rather than treating heritage buildings as static monuments, a new generation of designers is exploring how they can remain relevant, vibrant and deeply connected to contemporary life. Few projects embody this approach more compellingly than Casa Bomboti, the inaugural property from Bomboti Casas, a new restoration-focused venture by Mexican multidisciplinary studio MYT+GLVDK.

Set to open in late 2026 within the historic centre of San Miguel de Allende, the project transforms an 18th-century residence into a living expression of culture, craftsmanship and design. More than a boutique stay, it represents a broader vision for heritage conservation, one that places equal value on architecture, local knowledge, material authenticity and the experience of inhabiting a place.

Rusted steel walkways frame the internal courtyard, where a monumental reclaimed wooden door stands as a sculptural reminder of the building’s layered past.

A New Approach to Heritage Restoration

Founded by Andrés Mier y Terán and Regina Galvanduque, MYT+GLVDK conceived Bomboti Casas as an ethical and aesthetic platform dedicated to restoring historically significant properties throughout Mexico's UNESCO-listed cities and Pueblos Mágicos. Rather than imposing a singular design language, each intervention begins with extensive research into a building's history, construction methods and cultural context.

The objective is not simply to preserve the past but to create meaningful new ways of inhabiting it. Through collaborations with artisans and the revival of vernacular building techniques, the studio develops projects that celebrate the existing architecture while responding to contemporary lifestyles.

Rich charcoal walls, handcrafted timber furniture and contemporary art create a moody, cocooning guest suite that celebrates texture and craftsmanship.

Reimagining an 18th-Century Residence

At Casa Bomboti, the design team approached restoration as an act of dialogue rather than reconstruction. Working alongside curator Pablo Cobo and typographic designer Luna Kindler, the project reinterprets the geometry of colonial architecture through a contemporary lens.

The residence unfolds across multiple levels connected by courtyards, terraces, elevated walkways and a rooftop viewpoint overlooking San Miguel de Allende. Clean architectural lines sit alongside centuries-old masonry, creating spaces that feel at once ancient and distinctly modern.

Crucially, the designers resisted the temptation to erase traces of age. Existing ruins remain visible throughout the property, while contemporary insertions are deliberately distinct. New architecture does not imitate the old; instead, it frames and highlights it, allowing the building's layered history to remain legible.

Floor-to-ceiling curtains, dark-toned finishes and locally sourced artwork lend warmth and intimacy to the guest rooms, while private terraces connect guests to the city beyond.

Materials That Tell a Story

Materiality plays a central role in the narrative of Casa Bomboti. The original façade was restored according to guidelines established by Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History, while recovered stonework and historic quarry materials were carefully preserved and reintegrated.

Elsewhere, exposed natural steel introduces a contemporary counterpoint. Left untreated, the material is intended to weather naturally over time, becoming part of the building's ongoing story. Floors crafted from locally sourced brown cantera stone, reclaimed timber doors and bespoke carpentry further reinforce the project's commitment to authenticity and sustainability.

The resulting palette is restrained yet deeply atmospheric, defined by earthy tones, tactile surfaces and an appreciation for the beauty of imperfection.

The bathrooms pair black ceramic tiles and industrial-style fittings with handcrafted details, striking a balance between rawness and refinement.

Architecture Rooted in Craft

One of the project's most striking features is a series of suspended walkways incorporating structural glass flooring developed in collaboration with Nouvel Glass Studio. The patterned glass references the Aztec stepped fret motif, casting shifting shadows throughout the day and creating a contemporary interpretation of ancestral geometry.

These interventions demonstrate MYT+GLVDK's broader philosophy: heritage need not be frozen in time. Instead, historical references can inform contemporary design in ways that feel thoughtful, respectful and forward-looking.

Candlelight and exposed stonework transform a historic ruin into a contemplative wellness space, where heritage becomes part of the guest experience.

A Boutique Stay with the Soul of a Home

Casa Bomboti comprises six guest rooms that can function either as a private residence or a boutique hospitality offering. Throughout the interiors, custom-designed furniture sits alongside restored vintage pieces, many produced in collaboration with local artisans. Certified woods, handcrafted textiles and curated decorative objects contribute to a cohesive aesthetic rooted in contemporary Mexican design.

The experience extends beyond visual design. Exclusive amenities, developed for the property in partnership with wellness brand Mys, introduce a signature scent featuring notes of sandalwood, white musk and elderflower, creating a sensory identity unique to Bomboti Casas.

Shared spaces include a central courtyard organised around restored adobe walls, a Venetian-black tiled plunge pool and a rooftop terrace furnished with reclaimed pieces and fire pits overlooking the city skyline. Together, they strike a balance between the intimacy of a private home and the considered service of a boutique hotel.

Reclaimed doors, artisanal textiles and earthy finishes reinforce the property’s commitment to preserving history while introducing a distinctly modern sensibility.

A Living Gallery of Mexican Design

Perhaps most distinctive is Bomboti Casas' ambition to operate as a habitable gallery. Artworks, furniture, textiles and decorative objects throughout the property are available for purchase, allowing guests to engage directly with the creative ecosystem behind the project.

As pieces are sold and replaced, the house evolves continuously, ensuring no two visits are exactly alike. It is a concept that blurs the boundaries between hospitality, collecting and cultural preservation.

Original stone walls are left exposed in the bathrooms, creating a tactile contrast against sleek black fittings and contemporary finishes.

Looking Ahead

San Miguel de Allende marks only the beginning for Bomboti Casas. Future projects are already planned for Mérida and Oaxaca, extending the studio's restoration model to other historically significant destinations across Mexico. Each project will respond to its own context and architectural legacy, yet all will share the same guiding principles: respect for history, exceptional craftsmanship and a commitment to preserving cultural heritage through design.

At a time when heritage preservation often risks becoming either overly nostalgic or aggressively commercialised, Casa Bomboti offers a more nuanced alternative—one where restoration becomes an act of stewardship, and design serves as a bridge between past and future.

Credit: MYT+GLVDK @mytglvdk