Riad
Numéro 9 is a fine example of classical Moroccan
architecture. What sets the property apart is the amount
and quality of the embellishment which one would normally
find in a much grander and sizably larger property. Apparently
the property was built by a rich merchant as a guesthouse.
The fine finishing was surely meant to express the gentleman’s
status and success as well as impress!
The
three-storey house is set up around a central courtyard,
which has a telescopic sliding glass roof, which may be
opened/closed from the panoramic roof terrasse. All bed
and bathrooms look onto this inner courtyard rather than
the street giving a sense of privacy, intimacy and mystery.
The
ground floor is the largest in the house and is made up
of an entryway with hand-painted ceilings. The courtyard
features a Japanese-style sunken dining table that can seat
8, and a mosaic-tiled fountain which required some ingenuity
to restore! The sound system is also housed in one of the
integrated cabinets here, allowing for the best acoustics.
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