Description
This exceptional property, located in the heart of Cadaqués, is one of the village’s oldest and most iconic homes. Purchased as a ruin in 1969 by the acclaimed British artist Richard Hamilton, it was carefully restored to preserve the unique charm and character that captivated him. Kept in the same family ever since, it is now offered for sale for the first time in decades.
Described by architect Franco Bombelli as “the finest house of its kind in Cadaqués”, the property is a rare architectural gem. Contemporary elements have been added over the centuries while respecting the historical structure. Hamilton’s own renovations—celebrated for their balance between modern and historic—became a benchmark in heritage restoration.
In 2011, Hamilton’s son inherited the house and carried out a sensitive modernization, including updated electrical and plumbing systems, air conditioning, and renewed flooring and bathrooms, all while remaining faithful to the original aesthetic.
Layout & Features
The home unfolds over three levels. Entry through a grand arched stone portal bearing the insignia of the House of Ampurias leads into a spacious hall. To the right is a generous utility room, while the hallway continues beneath a floating staircase into a long vaulted dining room connected to the kitchen and discreet storage. A glass door at the far end opens to the rear garden. An open archway leads to a large vaulted living room with two seating areas, a wood-burning stove, and sliding doors to the garden.
At the back, a tranquil 125 m² garden offers privacy, with raised flower beds and slate paving ideal for outdoor dining.
On the first floor, a bedroom sits at the top of the stairs with a charming sink built into a centuries-old arch once linked to the neighboring church. A double-height hallway with skylight and integrated air conditioning leads to a vaulted bedroom with altar, font, Hamilton’s decorative reinterpretations, and a balcony overlooking the street. Opposite is an adjoining room with terrace, fireplace, air conditioning, and exterior access to the garden. This level also includes the master suite with air conditioning, en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower, and Juliet balcony facing the garden, plus a bright bathroom serving the guest rooms.
The second floor is an expansive artist’s studio lit by a skylight, featuring a fireplace, air conditioning, utility sink, and direct access to the rooftop terrace with views of the church and the old village toward the sea.
A spacious two-car garage in nearby Port Alguer provides valuable parking for two vehicles or one with a boat trailer.
The house also offers excellent potential for reconfiguration: the first-floor salon could become a fourth bedroom, and the second-floor studio—already plumbed—could be divided into two additional bedrooms and a bathroom, creating a six-bedroom, three-bathroom family home while preserving its artistic and historical character.
