This Tuscan Villa Marked the Beginning of a Great Medici Romance
Set in the heart of Tuscany with views over the Arno River stands Villa La Tana, a majestic Renaissance villa surrounded by formal Italian gardens. The property is located just 13 km from the city of Florence. Built in the 16th century, the property was the setting of a great Medici love story: the Grand Duke Francesco Medici I de Medici, heir to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, gifted the villa to his lover, the beautiful Venetian noblewoman, Bianca Cappello, who he would go on to marry.
Address: Bagno A Ripoli, Florence, Tuscany
This property is listed with Knight Frank for an undisclosed price.
Set in the heart of Tuscany with views over the Arno River stands Villa La Tana, a majestic Renaissance villa surrounded by formal italian gardens. The property is located just 13 km from the city of Florence.
Built in the 16th century, the villa was the setting of a great Medici love story: the Grand Duke Francesco I de Medici, heir to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, gifted the villa to his lover, the beautiful Venetian noblewoman, Bianca Cappello, who he would go on to marry.
Bianca Cappello by Alessandro Allori
The property would be their familial home until their death, when it was purchased by the Santa Maria Nuova hospital. The property was never used as a hospital, but rather the villa and the several hundred acres of land were put to use for making wine, olive oil, and other food sold in the city.
The villa that stands today is the realization of its next owners, the Ricasoli Firidolfi, and the present-day villa bears their coat of arms on the facade. Villa La Tana, then a manor home, was purchased in 1631 by Baron Ricasoli from the Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova. (Today, Ricasoli’s descendants produce Chianti wine in Tuscany.)
Although renovations began almost immediately, major changes to the structure occured in 1740, thanks to Leon Pasquale Francesco Ricasoli, who hired the architect Giulio Foggini to transform the property into the magnificent villa we see today.
The interiors were also updated in the 18th century, most notably on the first floor. The rooms were eliminated to make space for a grand hall featuring stunning seascape frescos by Antonio Carocci (1722). The artist described Villa la Tana as “the most beautiful among the villas in this part of Florence’s surroundings.”
In the 19th century, architect Poggi (responsible for eliminating the walls around the city of Florence and designing the Viale Michelangiolo) updated the villa once more with a grand, cypress-lined driveway leading up to the villa, where visitors are greeted by a grand staircase divided into two ramps flanking a beautiful grotto area with a statue of Poseidon.
The present day formal italian gardens are much unchanged from the 18th century, with geometric iris and azalea beds. The fragrant gardens of this Renaissance villa - as well as the legacy of Bianca Capello - are what inspired the current owner, Simone Cosac Naify to create her first perfume for her brand Simone Cosac Profumi: "Perle di Bianca".
The villa features 5 grand reception rooms, 11 bathrooms, and 6-12 bedrooms. The property stretches across 31.14 acres with a pool, gardens, several outbuildings, and additional staff quarters.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
The Chimneys on Dana Beach Has a Direct Link to America's Maritime Past
At 19, Dana Jr. dropped out of Harvard and set sail for the California coast as a crewman aboard a merchant ship, the Pilgram. He published the best seller Two Years Before the Mast, chronicling his journey. Dana Jr. was a lawyer and politician from Massachusetts who is famous for his classic book ‘Two Years Before the Mast’, recounting his time at sea aboard a ship from Boston to California and back.
This dreamy oceanfront estate is unlike any other in Massachusetts. Set on a bluff above the Atlantic Ocean, the property offers total privacy and peace set within a wooded 28-acre estate at the end of a half-mile winding Rhododendron-lined driveway.
The estate was created in 1844 by Richard Henry Dana, who built a two storey home overlooking Graves Island and the beach which bears his name, Dana Beach. The next three generations of the Dana family would summer at the property, including Richard Henry Dana Jr.
Richard Henry Dana Jr.
Dana Jr. was a lawyer and politician from Massachusetts who is famous for his classic book ‘Two Years Before the Mast’, recounting his time at sea aboard a ship transporting cow hides from California to Boston.
In his third year of studying at Harvard University, Dana contracted the measles, from which complications resulted in his eyesight becoming so bad that studying became very difficult. Unable to continue at Harvard he decided to take some time off, and at the age of 19, he signed up as a crew member for a merchant ship, the Pilgrim. This was especially unusual because his family was wealthy and he was more likely to be a passenger, than a common crewman.
On August 14, 1834 he shipped out from the port of Boston headed along the South American coast, around Cape Horn and back north for the Mexican province of Nueva California, or what we know as modern day California.
At this time, maritime law was still very underdeveloped, giving Captains unchecked authority on the seas. Dana witnessed the terrible mistreatment of the crew by their captain which included practices such as flogging. He spent much of his time on the California mainland in a hide house, curing and loading the hides onto the ship to be sent back to Boston.
After nearly a year away from home Dana was ready to go back. While trying to arrange a spot aboard another ship, his Captain began to make things difficult for him, nearly refusing to allow Dana to leave. Worried that he would be trapped for another year, possibly more, Dana was able to leverage his position in upper society to secure a spot aboard the Alert. He realized that had he been a common man, his rights would have been alienated, and his future uncertain, decided by an unjust captain.
He kept a journal of his voyage and on his return to Boston vowed to improve life for the common seaman. He enrolled in law school and after opening his own practice, published ‘Two Years Before the Mast ‘ which quickly became a bestseller. During his career he would contribute to the reform of maritime law.
In 1902, a prominent Boston investment banker, Gardiner Lane and his wife, Emma bought a portion of the estate. They replaced the original Dana two-storey home with a newly-built Georgian Colonial Revival residence. The gardens were then designed between 1906-1914 by Frederick Law Olmsted, known today as the father of American Landscape Architecture.
Olmsted created the iconic gardens of The Chimneys on seven terraced acres of landscape that flow naturally from the property. The Water Terrace is high on the bluff and leads down to the Lavender terrace and a white-flower Tea Terrace, past an allée of raised vegetable beds, and down to a Rose Garden. The entire design is punctuated by original Olmsted structures, including a children’s Tree House and a newly constructed Orangerie built in the Olmsted style.
The gardens were restored in 1992, and the residence was completely renovated in 1996-98 to contemporary standards while maintaining much of the original charm of the property.
The 13,000 square foot home has eight bedrooms with seven full baths and two powder rooms, many offering serene ocean views. There are 12 fireplaces throughout the home, spread throughout the various formal rooms. There is a Dining Room, Living Room, Art Library, Music Room, Garden Library and Family Room; the custom kitchen features an open butler’s pantry and Tuscan-style wood-fired oven and grill combo.
There is also a carriage house with a two-bedroom apartment that can accommodate staff or guests, with 4000 square feet of space available to house a car collection, or to be turned into an office or used for entertaining.
The property includes 700 feet of white sand beach, with almost private access. The beach is shared privately by just seven families that also own a parcel of the beachfront which is not open to public beach goers. Private, but never isolated, the property is five minutes to charming Manchester-by-the-Sea and 40 minutes to Boston.
This property is listed for $21,000,000 by Michael Carucci of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty. All photos belong to the listing agency.
Palais Vénitien: 24,000 Square Feet of Opulence Overlooking Cannes
Set high above the city of Cannes with panoramic views of the French Riviera, the ‘Palais Vénitien’ is in a class of its own. The 24,000 square foot mega mansion was built by Cogemad, owned by Saudi billionaire Emad Khashoggi (real estate royalty known for the Chateau Louis XIV project that made headlines in 2018).
Address: Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur, 06400 France
This property is listed for €120,000,000 by Côte d'Azur Sotheby's International Realty.
Set high above the city of Cannes with panoramic views of the French Riviera, the ‘Palais Vénitien’ is in a class of its own. The 24,000 square foot mega mansion was built by Cogemad, owned by Saudi billionaire Emad Khashoggi (real estate royalty known for the Chateau Louis XIV project that made headlines in 2018).
Inspired by Byzantine and Venetian architecture, the property features monumental columns and fine molding details throughout the home. Outfitted with the latest high-tech home options without sacrificing style, the property is fully automated from a central system to control the lighting, music, and air conditioning systems.
The villa features 9 residential suites, in addition to several reception rooms, a wine cellar (wines included in the sale), as well as a Turkish bath and indoor pool. The 6-acre lot is equally impressive as the sumptuous interiors, with luxurious amenities such as 2 outdoor pools, a tennis court, a private lake, and formal gardens offering sweeping views of the Cote D’Azur.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
The Beverly House is a True Hollywood Home...
The Beverly House has become an emblem of Hollywood’s Golden Era. A Spanish colonial home of epic proportions, the Beverly House is a true California compound with total privacy, just 3 blocks from Sunset Boulevard and the Beverly Hills hotel.
Address: 1011 N Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
This property is listed for $125,000,000 by Mauricio Umansky and Santiago Arana of The Agency.
The Beverly House has become an emblem of Hollywood’s Golden Era. Scenes of the The Godfather were shot there (remember that horse head?), as was scenes from The Bodyguard. The home was the former estate of newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst, and his mistress, actress Marion Davies, whose scandalous love affair is believed to have been the inspiration for Citizen Kane.
The Beverly House served as the destination for Jackie and John F. Kennedy’s honeymoon and later as his West Coast Presidential Election HQ. It is a world-renowned trophy estate, and not just because of its Hollywood ties.
The residence was built by Gordon Kaufmann, the architect behind several Beverly Hills estates and the Hoover Dam. With 55,000 sq ft of extravagance, the residence features 22 foot ceilings, a grand 101-foot long hallway upstairs (an 82-foot one below), and ceiling murals and a fireplace imported from Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
The Beverly House sits on 3.5 acres, has 18 bedroom suites, several grand reception rooms, and two projection / screening rooms. Outside, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and lighted tennis courts can be found, in addition to several terraces that can accommodate up to over 400 guests for seated dinners (the home also has a commercial grade kitchen), and four security gates and several perimeter housing structures.
A Spanish colonial home of epic proportions it’s a true California compound. The property offers total privacy, just 3 blocks from Sunset Boulevard and the Beverly Hills hotel.
The listing has made headlines in recent years as it’s been on and off the market. Leonard Ross purchased the property in 1976 for a reported $2,000,000, and in 2010 he and 5 companies he controlled filed for bankruptcy. According to The Real Deal, Ross owes $60,000,000 to creditors and has until May 2020 to sell the property which has been listed at $125,000,000 with Mauricio Umansky and Santiago Arana of The Agency.
The current photos don’t do the property justice so we dug up photos by architectural photographer Jim Bartsch from when the property was listed by Jade Mills of Coldwell Banker for your viewing pleasure.
Seafield House, an Elegant Country Estate Near Dublin
Seafield House is an elegant country estate near Dublin, dating back to 1730, set within 80 acres of private land, with mature gardens and a private lake.
Address: Seafield House, Dublin, Leinster, Ireland
This property is listed for €9,950,000 by David Ashmore of Ireland Sotheby’s International Realty.
Seafield House is an elegant country estate positioned near Dublin, just 15 minutes from Dublin airport. The Grade I listed house dates back to 1730, built by architect Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, who constructed the Irish Houses of Parliament.
The 10,000 sq ft home includes 5 principal reception rooms and 8 principal bedrooms. The property was extensively renovated in the mid-19th century to include a ‘West Wing’ and a 5-storey italianate tower in the Victoriana fashion; the stable yard and clock tower were also added at this time. The property was most recently restored in 1996, while preserving much of its historic character and ornate Georgian Palladian details throughout the home.
The classic Georgian home is set within 80 acres of private land, with mature gardens and a private lake, where you can within 5 minutes reach the maritime village of Malahide, with its traditional pubs, wine bars, artisan cafes and seafood restaurants.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
This Classic Long Island Waterfront Estate Is Actually a New Build
This Huntington Bay residence was built in 1999 by the award winning firm, Kean Development. The classically designed home features exceptional millwork and artisanal detail throughout the 5 bedroom home.
This property is listed for $22,000,000 USD by Sandra Zeluck and Pamela Doyle of Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty.
This Huntington Bay residence was built in 1999 by the award winning firm, Kean Development. The classically designed home features exceptional millwork and artisanal detail throughout the 5 bedroom home.
The 3.5 acre property boasts 230 feet of waterfront, with ample patio space and with ample patio space for outdoor entertaining.There is also a boathouse and a one bedroom cottage on the property, in addition to a tennis court and pool overlooking the Bay.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
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Denbigh Farm, Tommy Hilfiger’s Connecticut Home
With a Landmark Recognition status from the Greenwich Historical Society, the the property dates back to 1775 and was built by architects Albro & Lindeberg, whose work has iconized the American Country Home.
The original Denbigh Farm was once known as Quaker Ridge, and the property dates back to 1775 and has received the Landmark Recognition status from the Greenwich Historical Society.
In 1904 the property was purchased by a successful grain broker, William T. Carrington, who immediately sought out to transform the property into the elegant home that stands today. After his first botched attempt to upgrade the farm, he enlisted architects Albro & Lindeberg, whose work has iconized the American Country Home. Upon Carrington’s death in 1935, the property belonged to two generations of the Verner Reed family until 1995, when it was purchased by Tommy Hilfigier and his then-wife, who still owns the property.
The 17-acre Riversville Road estate is positioned with impressive views over Long Island Sound. With upgrades by famous Classicist architect Alan Greenberg, the home’s many historic features, such as the beautiful antique floors, have been preserved and enhanced. The property includes equestrian facilities with A+ stalls, a cottage, apple orchards, an English sculpture gardens, and even fancy chicken coops.
There is also a Mt. Vernon playhouse, a gym/sports house, luxurious accommodations above the garage, and a pool.
All photos belong to the listing agency.
Holmwood Country Estate with Modern Amenities
Listed by Bovingdons Estate Agents for £7,950,000, Holmwood was built in 2007 and designed by award winning architect Christopher Gregory of Danks Badnell Architects.
Listed by Bovingdons Estate Agents for £7,950,000, Holmwood was built in 2007 and designed by award winning architect Christopher Gregory of Danks Badnell Architects.
Built to suit a large family and ‘entertaining on a grand scale’, the home offers beautiful views of the surrounding Buckinghamshire countryside. Main features include a bespoke ‘Plain English’ kitchen, stone flooring, stone fireplaces, large bay windows, oak flooring, and exposed beams.
Holmwood is situated on 16.5 acres and has a cottage consisting of a large reception room, a good sized kitchen, utility room and shower room. On the first floor there are two bedrooms and a bathroom with a spacious landing where a study could easily be created.
The gardens were designed and laid out at the same time as the house by Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, one of the leading award-winning landscape gardeners.
To one side is a heated swimming pool in a sheltered and private setting with a charming pool house with changing facilities, and at the foot of the garden is an all-weather tennis court and pavilion.
