Exclusive Historical Estate With A View Of The Famous Lake Como

This truly-unique property is for sale in an exclusive panoramic location by Lake Como, offering an amazing view of the lake. Designed by famous architects, this perfectly preserved estate is embellished with numerous works of art created by internationally renowned artists. The property covers a striking 1,500 sqm of interior space, which includes the main Art Nouveau villa, dating back to the early 1900s and designed by architect Federico Frigerio; a second villa from the 1950s in rationalist style, designed and built by architect Giovanni Muzio. The estate also includes a three-story concierge house, a large covered garage, a caretaker's house, a porter's lodge, and two greenhouses.

The property is surrounded by a beautiful elevated panoramic promenade, completely fenced within a centuries-old exotic park of 2.5 hectares. The garden was designed in the style of great European palaces, lined with a wide variety of rare plants, as well as small grottoes, railings, balconies, and pathways immersed in greenery. Due to the slope of the land, a suspended walkway was also created, adorned with classical statues and replicas of famous sculptures, including Bernini's Apollo and Daphne, placed in a niche. There is a fabulous stone swimming pool with a service bathroom and a kitchen for leisure and entertainment. The estate includes a final building, the Belvedere, on two floors, covering an area of 135 sqm, with a rooftop dedicated to sightseeing and a terrace.

The prestigious main villa, in the Art Nouveau style, was built at the behest of Sir Attilio Pirotta between 1902 and 1911, based on a project by the well-known architect Federico Frigerio, designer of the Tempio Voltiano and the upper part of the Duomo di Como. The villa, dominating Lake Como from its convenient location, spreads out over 5 floors, covering an area of 900 sqm, and houses several salons, a tavern, 8 sumptuous bedrooms, a total of 6 bathrooms, and a basement.

The entrance is spread over two levels: the upper level features a suspended walkway adorned with intricately intertwined wrought iron, while the lower level includes a glass-and-iron vestibule that provides a covered passage. On the opposite side, overlooking Lake Como, there is a projecting structure consisting of a veranda supported by two large columns, which in turn rest on two telamons. The interiors, in neo-Louis XV style, feature precious furnishings in golden tones and finishes of the highest level, including splendid original frescoes, fine antiques, high-decorated ceilings, and marble and parquet floors. The estate is embellished with numerous works of art, sculptures, and paintings, created by internationally renowned artists.

At the entrance, a spiral staircase takes center stage, featuring a sculpted railing crafted by Lodovico Pogliaghi, author of the central door of the Duomo di Milano and the main salon of Castello del Valentino in Turin, to whom Sir Pirotta entrusted all the sculptural decorations and furnishings. This floor features a double hall, a dining room with a veranda, a Salotto Chinese, a tavern, and a spare bathroom. The rooms on the ground floor were decorated by the painter Gersam Turri, and the walls and ceilings were decorated by painter Ambrogio Alciati, whose artworks are exhibited at the Modern Art Gallery of Milan and the Modern Art Gallery of Rome. Other important artists, such as Giovanni Battista Ceruti, also contributed to the decoration. The furnishings of the villa date back to the same time as the villa, adding great artistic value to the property.

On the level below, we find a beautiful hall with access to a private garden, the kitchen connected to a dining room, one bathroom, many service rooms, and one of the three cantinas of the villa - the other two are on the second level below. 

Upstairs are the sleeping quarters. On the first floor, we find 2 bedrooms. The master bedroom with an elegant tapestry and a golden coffered ceiling enriched with an impressive fresco. The master bedroom also offers a panoramic terrace on the lakeside and an ensuite bathroom. A second room featuring an impressive fresco on the ceiling and 3 balconies on 3 sides of the villa. This room also offers an ensuite bathroom and a private room that can be used as a study or a closet. On the second and last floor, we find 5 rooms that can be used as bedrooms, or converted into leisure areas or a study. This floor is served by an additional bathroom.

The second villa, in a modern rationalist style, was designed and built by the famous architect Giovanni Muzio. His other works include the design of the Statale University of Milan, one of the main buildings of EUR in Rome, and the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. The villa spreads out over two levels, covering 280 sqm plus a basement. The ground floor offers a bright double living room, which opens onto the dining area, then a kitchen and a bathroom. On the first floor is the sleeping area with 2 ensuite bedrooms, both with access to the panoramic terrace that offers an amazing view over the lake. This villa is completed with two levels below dedicated to the service quarters which offer an additional bedroom with a bathroom, cloakroom, laundry room, and access to two porches.

To complete this wonderful estate, you will find a third independent villa of 450 sqm over three levels plus a basement; a 100 sqm porter's lodge plus a basement; another 75 sqm three-story building for employees, with the uppermost floor housing a greenhouse; further separate greenhouses, covering an area of 75 and 90 sqm, accessible via small gravel paths; and a covered car park.

An interesting feature: the famous funicular Como/Brunate passes right next to the villa, and the villa has a private funicular stop. The funicular, built in 1894, is one of the most scenic in Europe, offering an unmissable panoramic view of Lake Como. This unique estate on Lake Como astonishes and amazes with its beauty, eccentricity, and richness.