Real Estate

Hillside Villa Basks In The Beauty Of The Italian Riviera

Many grand estates boast a parklike setting, but this Genoese villa is literally in one.

Dating to 1813, the renovated Neoclassical Italian residence is within the Portofino Regional Natural Park, a protected coastal area in northern Italy along an arm of the Mediterranean called the Ligurian Sea. Set on the hill that divides the villages of Portofino and Camogli, the villa takes in views of the Tigullio Gulf.

Portofino, once a small fishing village, is today a picturesque destination for yachting jet-setters. Multi-hued houses line the shore. Boutiques, restaurants and art galleries surround the main square.

Lower-key Camogli remains a more authentic representation of the old Italian Riviera – full of colorful palazzi, wine bars and seafront eateries.

The villa is surrounded by formal gardens, lawn and mature trees. Masonry blocks mark the corners of the peach-hued façade, and contrasting dark green shutters flank the windows.

Mixing historical and contemporary styles, the house has 450 square meters, or roughly 4,800 square feet, of modern living space. A wide terrace in front of the living room captures the sunsets. The dining room, the sleek kitchen and a powder room complete the ground level.

The primary suite, with a dressing room, ensuite and balcony, is one flight up. There’s also a study and another bedroom. Above that are two more bedrooms with their own en-suites.

The top floor contains another bedroom with a dressing room and bathroom for a total of five bedrooms. Stairs lead to a roof terrace with views all the way to Genoa.

Below the house, a swimming pool with a generous deck offers panoramic views of the gulf and coastline. A 20-square-meter (215-square-foot) building near the pool could be used for a yoga studio.

Another 45-square-meter (484-square-foot) dwelling with a living room, kitchen and bedroom could be guest or staff accommodations. It has underground access to the main house.

Jacopo Del Maestro, managing director of Building Heritage, is the listing agent for the property, which is about a 15-minute drive from the Rapallo motorway.

He envisions a family buying the villa for use “the whole year or as a seasonal retreat from city stress.” The weather, he says, is “outstanding in spring and autumn and superb during the summer time — with a night breeze.”

The asking price is available on request and could be negotiated to include the furniture.

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