A centuries-old building in the heart of Mallorca's capital has been carefully transformed into the Hotel Nobis Palma, a five-star boutique hotel that preserves its rich architectural heritage while meeting modern hospitality standards. The historic structure, known as Can Oliver, underwent a meticulous renovation led by Jordi Herrero Arquitectos and Eduardo García Acuña, with interior design by Swedish studio Wingårdhs. Located on Calle Caputxines, the 2,253-square-meter stone building features remarkable historical elements including a 12th-century Arabic coffered ceiling, Gothic paintings, and a grand Majorcan staircase.
The project succeeded where previous attempts had failed, as earlier proposals to convert the building into a hotel were rejected by Palma's city council. The architects took a revolutionary approach by allowing the identity of Can Oliver to shape the hotel's design, rather than forcing a modern hotel concept into a historic shell. This philosophy guided every aspect of the renovation, from structural modifications to interior design choices.
The renovation process began with an extensive architectural survey that documented the building's complex evolutionary history. Architects carefully cataloged traces of different periods, including arched doorways, bricked-in windows, and layered facades that told the story of centuries of modifications. Rather than concealing these historical layers, the design team made them visible features of the hotel. In the restaurant area, both a 1950s intervention and the original wall behind it were preserved, creating a fascinating dialogue between different eras.
Guest rooms were designed to maintain the spatial integrity of the original structure. Protected historical volumes remained untouched by partition walls, preserving the building's authentic proportions. When modern amenities like bathrooms were necessary, they were installed as freestanding steel and glass enclosures that appear detached from the historic envelope. These minimal interventions also cleverly integrate ventilation systems while maintaining visual separation from the original architecture.
Where circulation modifications were required, such as corridors intersecting original chambers, architects created tunnels through spaces while maintaining the perception of rooms as complete entities. The unique attic spaces, which would typically rely on skylights, were illuminated through open courtyards carved into the roofline. These garden voids provide natural light and space for vegetation while avoiding Mallorca's intense solar heat.
All new architectural interventions were designed to be both reversible and clearly distinguishable from the original fabric. New elements, including interior partitions and stairs, were constructed from blackened steel, creating a stark visual contrast with the recovered stone and plaster surfaces. This material choice not only highlights the weight and substance of the historic stone structure but also provides flexibility for future adaptations without compromising the building's historical integrity.
The interior design by Wingårdhs carefully balanced the heavy atmosphere of the surrounding stone architecture. Custom wood furniture, generous textiles, and carefully planned lighting schemes bring warmth to what could otherwise be an austere environment. Subtle luxury elements, such as flowing curtains and slender-legged chairs, were specifically chosen to complement rather than compete with the architectural features. Lush plantings appear throughout the lofty rooms, courtyards, and garden niches, adding natural rhythm to the material palette.
The lighting program was specifically designed to accentuate surface textures, allowing spaces to gradually transform with changing shadows throughout the day. The building's imperfections were deliberately left raw where possible, while modern interventions remain legible and precise. This approach creates what the architects describe as an occupiable archive of layered history, where guests can experience centuries of architectural evolution while enjoying contemporary comfort and luxury.
