THE HOUSE OF THE FOUR RIVERS

The Aparthotel Arai 4*S is located in a historic mansion that is part of Barcelona's Architectural, Historical, and Artistic Heritage.

Built at the end of the 18th century, the building known as the House of the Four Rivers became the property of the Marquises of Sagnier. Throughout its history, it briefly housed the Escola Massana and the Foment de les Arts Decoratives, an association founded by artists and industrialists to promote the revaluation of art.

At the beginning of the 21st century, it was acquired by Derby Hotels Collection for its complete restoration and opening as a luxury aparthotel.

The impressive coffered ceiling in the hall is a faithful reproduction of the original, created using fragments recovered during the restoration works. The black-and-white marble floor is also an exact replica of the original, as is the forged arch, crafted by artisan Ángel Rull, which has been fully restored and placed at the main entrance.

FACADE

The building takes its name from the original sgraffito designs on its façade, a remarkable ornamental repertoire that includes allegorical figures of the noble arts on the first floor: Music, Painting, Architecture, and Ceramics. Starting from the second floor, personifications of four great rivers appear: the Danube, the Nile, the Ganges, and the River Plate.

Following its restoration, the sgraffitos have regained their full splendor thanks to Derby Hotels Collection.

The discovery of old photographs during the renovation helped faithfully reproduce the original spirit of the building.

As a result, the restored white marble steps of the main staircase were preserved, along with its spectacular railing, an exact reproduction of the original, handcrafted at the School of Arts and Crafts in Cuenca from a fragment recovered during the works.

The artworks in the collection can be found in every nook and cranny of the hotel, as well as inside the rooms.

SEE THE APARTMENTS SEE THE GALLERY

The Collector

JORDI CLOS

President of Derby Hotels Collection

In addition to his career in hospitality, Jordi Clos is an Egyptologist, art collector, and patron. He chairs the Clos Archaeological Foundation and the Egyptian Museum of Barcelona, the largest private collection of Egyptian art in Europe open to the public, and has been funding archaeological excavations in Egypt for over twenty years.