105 San Jose #103, San Juan, PR 00901

Palms, stone paving, and wooden galleries define the center of this Spanish Colonial building on San José Street. From the apartment’s living room and bedroom, large doors open directly onto this shared courtyard, creating a connection between interior and exterior space that is increasingly difficult to find in Old San Juan. Located on the ground floor, the apartment occupies one of the building’s quieter positions, facing the courtyard rather than the street. The atmosphere is shaped as much by the architecture around it as by the apartment itself: tropical foliage just beyond the threshold, open-air galleries above, and the changing light that moves through the courtyard throughout the day. The interiors feel larger than the footprint would suggest. Ceilings rising approximately 16 feet overhead bring an unexpected sense of volume and light to the space. A renovation completed several years ago introduced a modern kitchen, updated bath, air conditioning throughout, and...