When husband-and-wife team Steven Leyzac and Stephani Zambrano set about designing and building a house high in the hills of the ultra-exclusive La Zagaleta estate in Benahavís, close to Marbella, their ambition was to “do something remarkable”. They wanted to break away from the “white box” look typical of the area’s contemporary architecture, and this they have achieved – in spectacular style.
El Unico (“The One”) has 2,800 square metres of built living space over four magnificent floors. The turnkey villa is beautifully curved and its walls, both solid and glass, track the sweeping panorama that unfolds before it – wooded slopes, undulating countryside and the sparkling sea. “We wanted to do something curved to take in the mountain and sea views – the entire landscape,” says Zambrano, who heads the design and construction firm Lavele, which, along with Leyzac’s KARTELLè Corporation, has created stunning properties around the world. “When you walk through the house, the glass windows allow you to see from one corner to the other.”
From the “floating” Jacuzzi on the elegant rooftop to the glistening spa with hillside views, and the eight-car glass-fronted garage, El Unico offers ground-breaking design, eye-catching materials, a wealth of amenities and an incredible level of luxury.
