A fashionable castle that once belonged to a late iconic Italian fashion designer has hit the market in Italy for €2.8 million (US$2.93 million).
The hilltop neoclassical castle estate in Stresa, a popular vacation resort on Italy’s Lake Maggiore, was previously owned by Italian stylist Gianfranco Ferrè, who worked as stylistic director of Christian Dior during the 1990s, according to listing agent Silvia Ardizzoia of Francesco Papurello Luxury Real Estate.
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Ferrè, who also had his own label, bought the castle around 2002, with plans to fully renovate it and use it to house his guests during fashion weeks, Ms. Ardizzoia said. He died in 2007 and his dreams were never realized.
"A couple of years after his death the property was sold to a company that initially had the intention to realize the beautiful project of Mr. Ferrè," said Ms. Ardizzoia. "Since they own a lot of properties, after some time they abandoned the project and decided to put it on the market again."
The castle, which dates back to 1890 and is surrounded by two acres of private park, has two round turrets, a square central tower, and impressive views of Lake Maggiore. It also comes with a two-story, two bedroom guest house and two private beaches.
However, the castle is not currently habitable and would need to be fully renovated; it does come will fully approved plans that date back to Ferrè’s ownership.
"The castle is in need of a complete restoration. The structure is solid, but you definitely can’t live in it. The project of Mr. Ferrè was approved so the buyer could still realize it," said Ms. Ardizzoia.
There is much to work with inside, though. On the ground floor of the castle visitors are greeted by a large entrance that leads to a kitchen/dining room, a spacious living room with fireplace.
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Elsewhere, there are nine bedrooms, two bathrooms, an elevator, a basement with two wine cellars and a traditional Italian-style garden, with fountains, statues and terraces.