15 bedrooms villa, 1200 m²

Ventimiglia, Imperia (province)

The historic villa of Latte is a pearl of the Ligurian architectural heritage
This exclusive 1200 m² villa is located in the picturesque village of Latte, in a prestigious residential area close to the French Riviera and Monaco. Thanks to its mild climate, favorable relief and abundance of sunlight, this area has been considered a favorite holiday destination for the aristocracy since the 16th and 17th centuries.
The property is surrounded by a large garden of 2680 m² and occupies a favorable position in an ecologically advantageous area, extremely attractive from the point of view of residential development. The land has a convenient entrance with automatic gate and parking for five cars.
Between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, Western Liguria experienced a period of great architectural flourish, aided by the influx of foreigners, especially English, whose presence had a notable influence on the formation of the local architectural landscape. A prime example was Sir Thomas Hanbury, a man whose name is inextricably linked to the creation of iconic luxury villas in the spirit of the "English garden" and the introduction of the so-called "Hanbury style".
On 20 November 1889, commissioned by Sir Hanbury, the architect William Douglas Caro designed this villa, the construction of which was completed in 1891. The architecture of the building reflects the best traditions of mature Victorian Gothic, also known as "High Victorianism". The villa is distinguished by its rustic masonry of cut sandstone, the expressive plasticity of the vertical load-bearing elements and the contrasts of colour and light, emphasized by the openings on the facades.
The spectacular combination of symmetry and classical forms, the parallel use of wooden floors and roof structures, all this creates a characteristic image, which refers to English palaces and at the same time incorporates elements of classicism, Renaissance and oriental aesthetics.
The building lends itself both to a delicate conservative restoration, which maintains its current layout, and to a more extensive reconstruction, with the possibility of redistributing the interior spaces, creating new levels and adopting modern layout solutions. At the same time, original decorative elements, such as stone fireplaces, can be expertly integrated into the renovated interiors.
This villa is not a simple property, but a true architectural work rich in history, ideal both as a private residence and as a high-level investment project.