53 San Justo, Unit A2San Juan, PR 00901Rental Price: $3,500

GROUND-LEVEL FURNISHED UNIT WITH PRIVATE COURTYARD | UTILITIES INCLUDED IN RENT. Set on the ground level of an intimate five-unit residential building, this three-bedroom home has the kind of character that cannot be manufactured. Its appeal is not rooted in polished modernity, but in something far more difficult to find: authenticity, atmosphere, and the feeling that the apartment has evolved thoughtfully within the architecture and history that surround it. At the center of the home is a large private courtyard, open to the sky and filled with plants. The kitchen, dining and living areas unfold alongside the “galera” bordering the patio. The result is a wonderfully fluid relationship between indoors and outmorning light filtering into the living spaces, greenery always within view, and the subtle changes in air and weather becoming part of the rhythm of the home. The apartment’s exceptional ceiling height adds another dimension entirely, the interiors feel remarkably airy and expansive. The three bedrooms are positioned toward the rear of the residence, each independently air-conditioned, removed from the main living spaces. The living, dining and kitchen areas are not air-conditioned, intentionally remaining open to the patio and functioning as true indoor-outdoor spaces. There is a worldly quality to the interiorsobjects that suggest travel, curiosity and a genuine appreciation for craftsmanshipbalanced by pieces that quietly place the home exactly where it belongs. Traditional "pajilla" rocking chairs, carved wooden dividers and an authentic “sol trunco” repurposed as distinctive bed frames are among the details that give the rooms their personality. Nothing feels overly coordinated or staged. Instead, the effect is layered, personal and remarkably well considered. And then there is the simple convenience of the ground-floor location. In a historic district where stairs are very much part of everyday life, finding a residence of this scale with three bedrooms, a substantial private patio and no stairs to climb is unusual. Authentic, elegant and beautifully unexpected, it is a particularly special way to experience life in the historic city. Utilities are included in the monthly rent, adding an uncommon level of simplicity and convenience to the experience of living here.