The imposing mansion of the Marinos Fokas-Kosmetatos family, the “mansion” as the locals used to call it, is one of the few examples of architecture before the earthquake that survives in Argostoli. It was a two-storied stone built building built in the 1850s, and in addition to the family, during the British occupation housed the British Mission and English families, as well as the Norwegian consulate for a short time. The Fokas-Kosmetatos family had Byzantine origins and is associated with the family of Gedilini, which maintains a famous winery in Kefalonia. Two of its members served as mayors of Argostoli in the 20th century, Spyros Kosmetatos between 1903 and 1914 and Marinos Kosmetatos between 1975 and 1982, while many other members of the group made prominent scientific careers in Greece and abroad.

Unfortunately, the first floor as well as the internal walls of the house fell with the earthquakes of 1953. The building was restored and its current roof, similar to the old one, was placed.

The building has been bequeathed to the Greek State / Municipality of Argostoli, with the condition of restoring and rebuilding the second floor to return to its original form. However, it is still used as a home of the Kosmetatos family, while exhibits and museums have been moved and exhibited at the Fokas – Cosmetatos Foundation.