Casa Serena: An Architect's Personal Vision Unfolds in Cabo Norte

In Mérida’s exclusive Cabo Norte community, Casa Serena is a contemporary residence that represents something rare in luxury real estate: a home designed by an architect for himself. This isn’t a spec house or investment property—it’s the personal vision of Danh Nguyen, whose journey from Vietnam through New Orleans and California has culminated in years of creative expression in Yucatán.

The three-level residence reflects a sophisticated fusion of influences. Californian modernism meets feng shui principles and some traditional elements, creating a 365-square-meter home that feels both worldly and deeply rooted in its setting.

Architectural Drama Meets Daily Living

Casa Serena’s most commanding space is its main living area, where 6.5-meter ceilings create cathedral-like proportions. A massive window wall dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior, framing views of bamboo-planted courtyards and establishing the home’s central theme: the seamless integration of light, nature, and contemporary design.

The material palette reflects Nguyen’s artistic sensibilities. Industrial elements such as steel and concrete find balance with organic materials like bamboo flooring and ceramic accents. Pink accents punctuate the predominantly neutral scheme, while breeze blocks create a textural depth across the facade.

Water features serve as natural transitions throughout the property. A koi pond buffers the entrance, creating a meditative pause between street and home. Strategic “windows to the sky” break up solid masses and channel light into all corners.

Spaces That Adapt and Transform

The home’s three bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms are the foundation for flexible living. Two studio spaces can be transformed from offices to art studios—particularly relevant given Nguyen’s work as an artist—or converted to additional bedrooms as needs change.

The kitchen anchors daily life with professional-grade amenities, including a six-burner stove and dishwasher, while a dramatic 3×3-meter window floods the space with natural light. An oval marble dining table serves as the sculptural centerpiece, complemented by dreamy, cloudlike custom lighting overhead.

The master suite showcases Nguyen’s attention to experiential design. Bamboo flooring flows throughout, while a screen wall conceals storage and doubles as a media center. The bathroom elevates daily routines with hand-carved sinks, floating oval mirrors, and a shower that opens directly to the pool, enabling coffee breaks beneath the rain. Shower tiles are Nguyen’s exclusive design.

Unexpected Amenities

Casa Serena includes amenities uncommon in the region’s residential architecture. A basement-level home theater maximizes the lot’s space, while a light-filled gym (equipment included) with a full bathroom serves the owner’s wellness priorities.

Nine inverter AC units, pressurized water systems with a softener, and dual hot water tanks ensure modern comfort.

Multiple terraces and a ground-level pool with a barbecue area provide equal attention to outdoor living. Second—and third-floor patios catch evening breezes, while the rooftop study and hammock area overlook the private street, a quiet, gated cul-de-sac.

You’re In the Club

Cabo Norte residents have access to an exclusive clubhouse, one of the most stately in Mérida. A restaurant, tennis and paddle courts, a swimming pool and 25 acres of lakes. Plus, a main boulevard where a canopy of trees shades walkers and joggers. It all feels miles away from anything, yet the community is adjacent to many conveniences, notably La Isla luxury shopping mall and the city’s top hospital, Faro de Mayab.

The community’s location behind the shopping center provides both privacy and accessibility, with easy freeway connections to Mérida’s commercial districts.

The 305-square-meter lot supports nearly 4,000 square feet of thoughtfully planned living space. For discerning buyers seeking a home with provenance, Casa Serena tells a personal story while serving contemporary demands.

Casa Serena is offered by Carlos Betancourt at Merida Living Real Estate for US$595,000. See the listing.