Frozen in time since the early 1940s, Villa Peduzzi is soon to be restored to its former glory and turned into four large flats—or sold as a whole to an early buyer.
A rare opportunity has come up for buyers with deep pockets. One of Lake Como’s last unrestored Art Nouveau villas is available for sale as a whole or as individual flats.
Boutique developers Ultissimo acquired Villa Peduzzi, in the village of Pigra, near Argegno, and are now starting the renovation work to convert it into four huge four-bedroom flats. But an early, suitably affluent buyer can purchase the whole property instead, and have it refurbished according to his or her own requirements.
Once the lake retreat of an Italian engineering dynasty, Villa Peduzzi stands in one hectare of land and mature trees some 650m above Lake Como. From its hillside perch, it affords jaw-dropping views over the azure waters, the trees tumbling down to the village-strewn shoreline and the snow-capped mountains rising high to tickle the sky.
Once refurbished, however, the villa’s interiors will easily rival with the views.
The house was built in 1909 and is filled with original Art Nouveau treasures. It has mosaic floors, frescoes, fireplaces to match the façade’s stonework and wrought iron balconies. What makes it even more interesting, though, is that it was stuck in a time warp for more than fifty years. Early in the 1940s, the Peduzzi family decided the villa was too big for their needs—it took a staff of seven to run—locked the door and left everything behind. Furniture, bedsheets, even books and the washing up in the kitchen remained as they were when the last of the Peduzzis set foot in it in 1941.
This allowed developers to get a genuine feel for the villa’s authentic character, and they have now set out to revive the original interiors while sympathetically adapting them to contemporary needs. For example, the roof will be raised to create a penthouse with a glass wall and access to a panoramic roof terrace. A lift will be added to link the cellar with each of the four flors. And every detail will be taken care of—down to monogrammed towels and dressing gowns subtly featuring the Peduzzi crest.
The grounds too will be carefully improved by recreating the formal gardens of the Art Nouveau era, and adding a large infinity pool and a tennis court.
“Villa Peduzzi is truly a grand residence,” says Paul Belcher of Ultissimo. “Untouched since the Second World War, its frescoes, mosaics and architecture offer a revealing glimpse into early 20th century Italian élan.
“If the James Bond lifestyle has been your dream, this just might be the answer,” he adds. “A three-minute walk along the cliff top, followed by a four minute cable car ride, brings you to the water’s edge where your motor boat can be waiting to whisk you straight into Como for shopping and lunch in the heart of a wonderful refined town.”
Predictably, the asking prices match all this James-Bond-style magnificence. Flats range from €1.35million to €2million—or you can buy the whole restored villa for €8.5m. For more information visit www.ultissimo.com or call 020 3178 4975.
