The building itself is an un-renovated stately historic mansion from 1847, with an interior patio vestibule and wrought iron and marble staircase (here the disadvantage is that the entrance and staircase are rather shabby and look as if they have not been painted in decades; they need restoration) It is situated right next to the lovely plaça and baroque church of La Merce, the patron saint of Barcelona. The Avinyo Street is a very lively and the main pedestrian street in the Gothic Quarter (only passable for vehicles certain hours of the day).