There are many places steeped in history to visit in and around Florence, Italy, but few in which to live while enjoying a state-of-the-art lifestyle.
Dating to the 14th century, Villa Capponi was the home of aristocratic families for centuries. The once fortified estate owes much of its evolution to generations of the Capponi family, who assumed ownership in the late 1700s and shaped the layout, expanded the gardens and added such decorative embellishments as graffito façades, frescoes and limestone busts.
The property changed hands in 1871 and later became a convent.
The grounds include formal Italian gardens with walking paths and a central fountain.
Now it has been renovated and modernized as a residential complex made up of 14 luxury units.
Combining classical elegance with modern amenities, this ground floor flat for sale is spread out on a single level. The 328 meters, or 3,530 square feet, of interior space includes a double living room, a kitchen, two en-suite bedrooms, a study and an additional bathroom for a total of three.
Villa Capponi’s facade, with its graffito flourishes, retains its historical look.
The more than 10 hectares, or nearly 25 acres, of grounds are covered with olive trees, lemon trees, vineyards, English gardens, formal Italian gardens and a vegetable garden.
A heated outdoor swimming pool, an indoor pool, a gym, a tennis court and a barbecue center with a wood-burning oven are among the on-site features. There’s an agricultural park with oil and wine production, as well as an air-conditioned wine cellar and tasting room. Secured parking is underground.
Fourteen residences make up the compound.
Architect and project developer Dmitry Kulish described the complex in a video as “a really unique place, because from one side we are in the countryside and from another side we are very close to the city center. It is really hard to find something similar.”
He is referring to the city of Sesto Fiorentino, which sits below the estate. The hill town was the inspiration for the setting of The Adventures of Pinocchio.
The thriving center is known for producing fine hand-painted ceramics and pottery. Fashion houses, a heliport, supermarkets, pharmacies and fine dining restaurants are also part of the mix.
Historic and decorative details have been maintained throughout.
A 20-minute drive away is the cosmopolitan city of Florence with trattorie, gelato shops, wine bars and an international airport.
Cinzia Romanelli and Ilaria Mugnaini of Building Heritage are the listing agents for the residence, which is listed at more than 4.7 million euros or about US $5.1 million.
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