Listing of the Day
Location: Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy Price: €10,144,640 ($11,237,218)
The Italian Riviera was a favorite among Old Hollywood’s biggest stars—think Elizabeth Taylor in a silk headscarf—but it still draws the modern jet set all year round for its charming ports and glamorous seaside resorts.
Portofino is one of the most well known and wealthiest towns, but Santa Margherita Ligure, just five minutes away, offers better value, though just as much elegance. It is a quieter, grand old beach resort with a promenade and many private, ochre-painted villas set in the hills.
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"In the past, this area was a favorite with famous people, from Ernest Hemingway to Greta Garbo, who came for their holidays and on their boats and yachts," says Clemente Pignatti Morano, managing partner of Italy Sotheby's International Realty, which is marketing the property.
"Now in the area from Santa Margherita Ligure to Portofino, lots of famous Italians from the industrial and fashion worlds have houses," says Mr. Pignatti Morano. That includes Giorgio Armani as well as the couple Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, who bought the house rented by former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Via Privata Fortunato Costa would suit an international buyer who, similarly, wants to holiday by the sea, says Mr. Pignatti Morano, soaking up la dolce vita. The hidden villa, surrounded by exotic flora, has a 300-square-meter terrace to enjoy incredible views over the Mediterranean.
The Stats
The 9,146-square-foot villa, in a lush park of 4,000 square meters, has 12 bedrooms and 10 full bathrooms; is set over five floors, has two-car garage a and a parking lot for five further cars nearby.
Design Pedigree
The villa was built in the early 20th Century, designed by a local architect in Stile Liberty—a type of Italian Art Nouveau, named after its influence, London’s Liberty & Co. department store. Inside and out is evidence of the decoration favored by this movement, craftsmanship influenced by nature, with ornate cherry wood carpentry, curvilinear windows, high ceilings, and floral wallpaper by English textile designer William Morris, plus lots of Italian marble.
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Amenities
The villa has its own swimming pool, well-equipped gym, and an elevator.. Staff can be housed in two separate apartments.
For those who like to collect wine, or, suggests Mr. Pignatti Morano, have valuable art or jewelry they want to keep safe, there is an unusual hidden tunnel, a cave like structure dug into the rock, with a large wine cellar that is naturally acclimatized.
Neighborhood Notes
You can walk to the sea for a swim in five minutes, or drive to Portofino in a similar time for luxury shopping, exclusive restaurants and nightlife. Or you could take the scenic route—a beautiful, pine clad three-mile coastal walk. Santa Margherita Ligure has plenty of its own local eateries for pesto pasta, pizza and a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio.
Agent: Cristina Grazioli, Italy Sotheby's International Realty