OUR STORY

2022

2025
Our
Story
​
Casa 426 – Built to Last.
Shared with Purpose.
​
In April 2022, I took a leap of faith—and bought a 100-year-old adobe casa in Guadalajara’s historic Barrio Santuario. One story, crumbling plaster, barely functioning plumbing, and a single 30-amp fuse powering the whole house. No heat. No AC. The original clay sewer lines were silty but flowing, and the galvanized steel water pipes were practically fossilized. But under the fading limewash and peeling layers of 1920s paint, the structure was solid. And the location? Perfect. Just a five-minute walk to everywhere I wanted to be.
That was the beginning of my journey to create a forever home—and a space to welcome others.
The Vision
My goals were clear from day one:
-
Respect the casa’s historic character.
-
Work hand-in-hand with Cultura and Obras Públicas (yes, the permisos took 10 months).
-
Replace all infrastructure—plumbing, electric, and sanitation—for safety and longevity.
-
Embrace eco-conscious systems: rainwater harvesting, solar hot water, and passive cooling.
-
Create a welcoming sanctuary for friends, family, and curious travelers.
-
Pass forward the radical hospitality I’ve received while traveling through 38 countries.
The Work
Over 3 years, thousands of hours of labor, and 3.5 million pesos later, Casa 426 is not just renovated—it’s transformed:
-
✅ Entirely new electrical, plumbing, and drainage systems.
-
✅ Full permits and final approvals from Cultura and Obras Públicas.
-
✅ 5.5 months of the year powered entirely by collected rainwater.
-
✅ 100% of our hot water from solar.
-
✅ Average daily electricity usage under 5 kWh.
-
✅ Comfortable indoor climate thanks to natural airflow, shading, plantings, and evaporative cooling—no AC needed.
-
✅ Cozy winters without added heating, thanks to the original thick adobe walls and an open-air domed patio.
-
✅ A rooftop terraza (150 m²!) for year-round gatherings, stargazing, and slow dinners.
-
✅ More than 40 guests welcomed—friends, creatives, remote workers, solo travelers—from around the world.
What Comes Next?
Now that the foundation is set, it’s time to live the vision:
-
Tend and maintain this old casa with the care it deserves.
-
Keep opening the doors to new friends, fellow travelers, and like-minded wanderers.
-
Share what I’ve learned—and keep learning.
-
Cultivate community.
-
Keep it local, low-key, and full of heart.
Why Casa 426?
This website is my invitation:
If you’re looking for a more grounded way to experience Guadalajara—beyond chain hotels or impersonal Airbnbs—consider staying here.
Casa 426 is a homestay in the truest sense: personal, simple, and full of stories.
Our daily rates are intentionally affordable.
100% of the income from guest stays goes back into maintaining the house, improving the experience, and making sustainable choices that keep Casa 426 thriving for the next hundred years.



