Las Leonas

Las Leonas combines 1960s architecture with a piece of European film history. For this protected, beachfront property near Santa Ponsa, Soulvillas developed a concept that preserves and reinterprets its unique identity.

Background

Las Leonas was built in the early 1960s for Joseph Hummel, then head of Warner Bros. in Europe. The seaside villa became a gathering place for the film world: according to press reports, guests included Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, and John Wayne, among others. Two lionesses carved from Santanyí stone at the entrance gave the house its name—a playful nod to the MGM studio lion. The estate also served as a film set for “Bahía de Palma” (1962), starring Elke Sommer and Arturo Fernández. The clean-lined architecture, the black-and-white marble, and its direct connection to the sea continue to define its unique history to this day.

Concept and Implementation

Soulvillas collaborated with architect Fernando Castello to develop a unique concept that preserves this architectural signature while adapting it to today’s living standards. Light-filled rooms, spacious terraces, and a private beach lounge are designed to blur the boundaries between the house, the garden, and the sea. The luxury here lies in the rare combination of history, location, and personal creative freedom.

Project Status

The images illustrate the concept that was developed and show how the existing structure will be altered.