Near Barga, Lucca, in a secluded area, 1920s villa in a Liberty style of approx. 500m2 with 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.
Built in 1911 and set in a bend of the Serchio valley, 20 miles north of Lucca, Villa Pieroni is an exquisite Liberty style property – which is ready for immediate use as a fully furnished family home, exceptional holiday venue, or inspirational teaching/business hub.
The villa is perched above a set of dramatic stone terraces sweeping down to an amphitheatre of trees on the valley floor. The villa's bedrooms and balconies command breath-taking 180 degree views of the lofty Apuan alps and their forested foothills.
The current owners have restored the property's original sun terraces with traditional ‘graniglia' tilework; replastered and repainted the external walls and window blinds; installed five top quality boutique hotel style bathrooms, together with a Roman style swimming pool and a modern kitchen.
The Coach House next to the swimming pool can be readily converted for various uses including: guest annexe, housekeeper's cottage, double-storey gymnasium or outdoor activity centre. A newly restored, double-height artist's studio, connected via footpath to the house, completes the ensemble of key buildings.
Further amenities include a wine cellar, complete with vintage bottles, and an astounding loggia on top of the building offering panaromic views of the Serchio Valley.
History of the House
Giuseppe Pieroni, who built the current villa in 1911, was one of four brothers who lived and travelled between Boston and Barga in the late nineteenth century. He became the driving force in a significant restaurant empire that would last for eighty years. His villa was planned and designed, so it is said, by Italian architects in Boston.
After a period of decline in the 1970s, the Villa has been reborn, painted once more in original ochre yellow and playing host to visitors ranging from American actor Woody Harrelson to US singing legend Willy Nelson, and from British TV personality Amanda Holden to comedian Alan Carr, as well as the distinguished architect and Italian Senator Paolo Riani (himself a descendant of the Pieroni family).
Key Facts:
§ 500 m2 historic Liberty villa in ochre yellow, with painted frescos, emerald green blinds – retaining many period features
§ Excellent potential as spacious family and/or holiday home, business or art centre
§ Designed in 1911 for renowned Italian-Amercian entrepreneur, Giuseppe Pieroni of Boston, Massachussets, around original 18th century core
§ Stylishly refurbished exteriors and bathrooms
§ Commanding position with panoramic views over woodland, fields and lofty Apuan Alps
§ Sold with entire contents including original Art Nouveau furniture suites (NB excluding pictures and personal effects)
§ Coach House/Staff Accommodation
§ Newly restored Artist's Studio/Garage
§ Two further buildings on land down in the valley – small eighteenth century water mill and stables – for restoration
ACCOMMODATION
Ground Floor
§ Entrance hall and reception area
§ Spacious ‘salone' frescoed drawing room with grand piano
§ Downstairs cloakroom
§ Interior hall and telephone point
§ Glazed vestibule leading to rear sun terrace
§ Modern kitchen
§ Vaulted c18th breakfast room with stone fireplace
§ Small dining room
§ Secondary entrance hall
§ Utility/washroom
§ Large office/study
First Floor
§ 6 bedrooms (1 master, three other double, two singles – one of which is currently used as a store)
§ 4 recently refurbished bathrooms (1 ensuite)
Second Floor
§ Glazed roof turret or ‘loggia'
§ 2 attics
Basement
§ Stocked wine-cellar with interesting collection from 60's, 70's and 80's
§ Cellar with central heating system
§ ‘Limonaia' – naturally lit lemon storage area beneath the rear sun terrace
Large rear tiled Sun Terrace
Ten metre Roman style swimming pool
Two storey coach house/domestic staff quarters comprising:
§ Large ground floor garage space with potential for conversion to other uses
§ Woodstore room
§ Toolroom
§ Large room on first floor with potential for conversion to large living room, art studio or other other uses
§ 40 foot loggia balcony with 270 degree superb views
Two-storey artist's studio cum car garage (recently restored)
§ Reached via private footpath or public road
§ Car parking/tool space with stairs to second storey
§ Naturally lit artist's studio or atelier
§ Further superb views