![Drift San José / Self Designed - Table, Windows, Chair, Facade, Patio, Handrail](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/3dd7/b22e/38e2/cc00/0313/newsletter/DriftSanJoseExterior7.jpg?1502952900)
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Architects: Self Designed
- Area: 445 m²
- Year: 2016
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Photographs:Mike Arce, Rafael Gamo
![Drift San José / Self Designed - Chair](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/406a/b22e/384f/7400/0330/medium_jpg/MezcalBarDriftSanJose20.jpg?1502953555)
Text description provided by the architects. In 2012 a run down 6 one bedroom apartment building on 600 square meters of land in the up and coming Art District in San Jose del Cabo’s colonial center was purchased with a goal to provide an upscale hostel in one of Mexico’s most expensive resort towns - an alternative to the array of expensive ocean front luxury resorts.
![Drift San José / Self Designed - Windows](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/4023/b22e/38e2/cc00/0323/newsletter/DriftSanJoseSmall5.jpg?1502953491)
The concept was to provide a youthful, social and do-it-yourself no frills accommodation for independent travelers who prefer adventure and culture over all inclusive. The renovation was done on a shoestring and consisted of turning the original 6 apartments into 8 hotel rooms, a staff kitchen office and laundry, guest coffee bar and retail space.
![Drift San José / Self Designed - Table, Chair, Windows, Patio](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/9f53/b22e/38cb/5e00/00ce/medium_jpg/MezcalBaratDriftSanJose11.jpg?1502977836)
Leaving the original structure - but removing all aluminum windows, ceramic tiles, lighting, wood closets, doors, fixtures, and architectural flourishes-.
![Drift San José / Self Designed - Sink, Bathroom, Bathtub, Windows, Shower](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/3e71/b22e/384f/7400/0322/newsletter/DriftSanJoseLarge8.jpg?1502953054)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/3e05/b22e/38e2/cc00/0315/newsletter/PLANTA_BAJA_AMBIENTADA_DRIFT.jpg?1502952952)
![Drift San José / Self Designed - Windows, Handrail](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/3ec9/b22e/38e2/cc00/031b/newsletter/DriftSanJoseMedium5.jpg?1502953139)
![](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/3db4/b22e/38e2/cc00/0312/newsletter/PLANTA_ALTA_AMBIENTADA_DRIFT.jpg?1502952871)
Partition walls were added, windows were enlarged, custom steel rolling doors were built, rustic concrete floors, patios, beds, and sinks were poured. In the second year a fire pit, bar, and swimming pool were added. In the third year, a hammock tower, food cart patio and event space were added.
![Drift San José / Self Designed - Lighting, Windows, Courtyard](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/9f82/b22e/38b7/ec00/001c/medium_jpg/DriftSanJoseExterior2.jpg?1502977883)
Other upgrades included new propane, a water cistern, hot water and air conditioning. Minimal landscaping included crushed gravel, locally made bricks and the preservation of .15 seventy-five-year-old palms original to the property.
![Drift San José / Self Designed - Chair, Patio](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5995/3faf/b22e/384f/7400/032c/newsletter/DriftSanJoseRoofDeck10.jpg?1502953372)