Historic Silk Mill on Lake Como Restored as Multi-Residence Compound

Lake Como has long ranked among the most prestigious residential markets in the world, defined by its grand villas, discreet villages, and enduring appeal to international buyers. The lakefront is lined with 19th- and 20th-century estates—once tied to aristocratic families, industrial dynasties, and now global celebrities—making properties of scale and provenance exceptionally scarce.

In Brienno, on the lake’s western shore, one of the few surviving industrial landmarks has been reimagined as a private compound that, even in this rarefied market, is unmatched in scale and setting, offered by Italy Sotheby’s International Realty. Price is upon application.

The compound extends over 1,900 square meters (20,450 sq. ft.), comprising a main villa with grand reception rooms—including a 200-square-meter salon overlooking the lake—and ten independent apartments. Vaulted stone walls preserve the historic core, while terraces, a panoramic swimming pool, and a mooring dock open directly onto the water.

La Filanda (literally, The Mill), a 19th-century silk factory built between 1847 and 1860, operated as a weaving mill until 1932, when Como stood at the center of Europe’s silk industry.

For centuries, Como’s economy was tied to silk. Mulberry groves fed the silkworms, water from mountain streams powered the looms, and finished textiles departed by comballi—the traditional wooden boats that carried bolts of silk to the port of Como. By the late 1800s, the region had become one of Europe’s leading silk centers, exporting globally. The legacy remains visible today: leading fashion houses such as Hermès and Armani still source their silks from Como.

La Filanda was purchased in the 1960s by a prominent Como family in the silk trade, who transformed the former mill into a villa of scale and distinction. The adjoining building, once worker housing, was later reconfigured into ten independent apartments, linked by both internal and external staircases and a modern elevator. Industrial features such as the original chimney and stone walls remain intact, giving the estate a distinctive “industrial-palace” character.

Alongside its architectural heritage, the property establishes a scale rarely available on Como. Villas with six to eight bedrooms typically rent from €20,000 to €50,000 per week, while premier estates with greater capacity command well into six figures.

A compound with 18 bedrooms across 11 residences positions La Filanda not only as a private enclave but also as a competitive hospitality or event venue. Como’s wedding market underscores this potential: ceremonies at waterfront villas often begin around €30,000 to €70,000, with premium celebrations reaching into the hundreds of thousands.

Set within reach of Como, Milan, and the Swiss border, the restored silk mill exemplifies the qualities that continue to define this market: architectural heritage, international cachet, and one of Europe’s most prestigious waterfront settings.

All photos belong to the listing agency.