The most significant intervention was the relocation of the kitchen from the rear of the apartment to the front. This single move unlocked the entire new layout – the former kitchen at the rear was transformed into an additional bedroom and bathroom, while the front of the apartment opened into a kitchen and living area with dual aspect light and Juliette balconies.

The en-suite bedroom was also reconfigured. What had previously been a small room and a storage cupboard was opened into a larger bedroom, with the bathroom entrance relocated from the corridor to the bedroom itself, creating a proper en-suite arrangement.

Throughout the apartment, electrical systems were fully renewed and a new air conditioning system installed. New plumbing was run throughout to serve the relocated kitchen and the additional bathroom. Four-metre ceilings, original crown mouldings and timber floors were retained and restored, providing a historic counterpoint to the new contemporary finishes – dark blue custom cabinetry, Pele de Tigre marble countertops, brushed stainless steel shelving and marble bathroom surfaces throughout.

The renovation was carried out in close dialogue with the Lisbon Heritage Department, given the protected status of the building. Initial designs were reviewed and adjusted through this process – interventions refined to ensure the apartment remained true to its original Pombaline character, with material choices, finishes and spatial decisions informed by the building’s history as much as by the brief. The result is a home that feels contemporary in its layout and finishes while remaining rooted in the architectural identity of the original building.

The property is currently for sale — see the listing here.