12 bedrooms villa, 1420 m²

Capannori, Lucca (province)

ERICA- Nestled atop a hill with breathtaking panoramic views, this majestic, perfectly restored historic villa is for sale in the prestigious hills of Lucca. The property, set in peaceful surroundings yet just a few kilometres from the town and key amenities, lies on the edge of a picturesque Etruscan village in the Lucca area.
Access is provided by two vehicle entrances and one pedestrian entrance. The complex comprises three buildings, finely restored in full respect of their original features by specialist craftsmen: the main villa, a chapel currently deconsecrated, and a building housing two elegant annexes, totalling approximately 1,420 square metres of floor space.
The property is surrounded by a park of approximately 2,800 square metres, featuring a refined Italian-style garden with original fountains and statues, a splendid swimming pool with a large sunbathing area, as well as an olive grove of approximately 5,000 square metres with around 120 trees.
The main villa, of approximately 980 square metres, is spread over four above-ground levels plus a basement. The renovation, completed in 2004 with the approval of the Superintendency of Fine Arts, has successfully combined historical charm with modern comforts. Infact, the basement, with its striking vaulted ceilings and stone walls, houses an exclusive wellness centre featuring a sauna, Turkish bath, hot tub and toilets. On entering the ground floor, we are greeted by a grand original stone staircase connecting the various floors of the villa, and by a long corridor with the original black-and-white chequered marble flooring typical of Lucca villas, which leads us into the living area comprising a spacious kitchen with a wood-fired oven, a utility room adjacent to the kitchen equipped with professional appliances, a bright formal dining room, a second living room with a fireplace connected to a guest bathroom for this area, as well as a study with its own bathroom and separate entrance.
The main floor features a refined reception room with an adjoining tea room, a  guest bathroom for this area, as well as a large library that could easily be converted into a further  double bedroom given the presence of an en-suite bathroom with a freestanding bath and shower. The floor is completed by a first sleeping area comprising two double bedrooms, one of which has its own private sitting room, with a shared bathroom in between fitted with a whirlpool bath. 
Moving up to the second floor, we find a connecting lounge leading to a suite with a private sitting room and a bathroom shared with a second bedroom; a second suite with a private sitting room and bathroom; and a fourth bedroom with a private bathroom.
Finally, on the top floor, there is a lounge used as a games room, a small guest bathroom and three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms (one of which has a private sitting area).These floors are characterised by elegant interiors and decorations of considerable value. Of particular interest and worthy of note are the floors: some are hand-painted, faithfully reproducing the original design, whilst others feature decorated parquet alongside the original terracotta tiles. The ceilings are all painted and feature both 16th-century grotesque motifs and the typical trompe-l’œil frescoes of the 18th and 19th centuries. The frescoes, attributed to the painter Francesco Bianchi, include works of great charm, such as the scene of Dido and Aeneas inspired by a painting held at the Louvre, and are perfectly preserved. The top floor has a more minimalist and bright style, featuring ceilings with exposed wooden beams and light-coloured parquet flooring. To the right of the stairs is a suite with its own sitting room, a double bedroom and a bathroom. A spacious TV lounge with a recreation area and its own bathroom occupies a large part of this floor, and another bedroom with a bathroom completes this level. 
The annexe, totalling approximately 325 square metres, houses two apartments, both spread over two floors and internally connected. The first apartment has a separate entrance from the street, useful for domestic staff, and is slightly smaller. It comprises, on the ground floor, a living room with a kitchenette and a bathroom, and on the first floor (a mezzanine level), a double bedroom with floors of fine timber planks. On the ground floor, a small hallway leads to the second apartment, which spans two storeys above ground but has separate entrances on each level. On the ground floor, there is a spacious living room – ideal for entertaining – which opens onto the villa’s internal courtyard, a bathroom, a bedroom, and a utility room. On the first floor, there is a spacious living area with a kitchen opening onto the terrace housing the swimming pool, as well as a guest bathroom. These rooms are particularly useful in summer. A garage completes the building. The style of the annexe is more rustic, with exposed stone walls, wooden beamed ceilings and terracotta floors. 
The chapel, currently deconsecrated, measures approximately 115 square metres. It is currently used as a concert hall thanks to its excellent acoustics; the ground floor also houses a guest toilet, whilst the upper floor, the former rectory, accommodates a studio flat.
The swimming pool, situated in a commanding and panoramic position, is equipped with a salt-water system and an electric cover.
This property represents an ideal solution both as a prestigious private residence and as an investment for high-end hospitality businesses, thanks to its uniqueness, location and excellent condition.