Hotel in Florence

On the edge of a village near the famous Vallombrosa Abbey, an hour from Florence, neo-Gothic castle with park for sale. The property is located within the Vallombrosa Biogenetic Nature Reserve, characterized by immense forests and experimental arboretums dating back to the late 19th century.

The villa (3,370 m² – 36,361 ft², up to 35 bedrooms and 35 bathrooms) is a large building created in accordance with the ideals of the Romantic Middle Ages typical of the late 19th century: commissioned by Count Antonino Pio Resse and his wife Elizabeth Woodbridge Phelps Pearsall, the villa was designed by architect Corinto Corinti, who already incorporated some of those elements that would later become a staple of the later Art Nouveau style. Design work began in 1879 and the mansion was inaugurated in 1887: in the following years ideas were proposed for enlargement but no work was ever carried out, and in 1892 the Resse family left Florence (perhaps because of financial problems) and the castle was sold at auction along with much of the artwork that decorated it. During the 20th century the castle was converted into a hotel with the construction of new bathrooms to serve the bedrooms, but the complex was abandoned in the 1970s. The current owner has undertaken major restoration work since 2003.

The ground floor features large stately rooms, intended for guest reception and potentially usable as reception and restaurant/breakfast room. The basement contains the old cellars, a kitchen and storage rooms, while the upper floors house guest rooms and bathrooms. The building is included of the list of assets of significant historical-architectural interest and protected by a 2014 decree of the Soprintentendenza.

The park also contains several ruined buildings (750 m² – 8,070 ft²) that were once used as sheds, laundry, storerooms and outhouses.

The park surrounding the villa covers about 3.7 hectares (9.2 acres). Trees grown in the park and around the property provide pleasant shady spaces for the summer and shelter the property from curious onlookers and prying eyes.

In panoramic position on the ChiantiHills, not far from the beautiful Florence, this impressive medieval castle is nowadays a beautiful 71-key historic resort offering up to 142 beds. The property is completed by a cozy garden with 13 × 6 m pool and 9.6 hectares of land with olive grove and private lake.

HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY

The castle was built by the noble Florentine family Ormanni in the post Carolingian age and was besieged a first time by the Florentine army in the mid-12th century. Following this raid, only a tower and seven separate buildings were still standing, encircled by a damaged wall (no longer existing today).

The castle was bought a few years later by the wealthy Acciaiolifamily (which gained its prestige by shifting their business field from steel to finance) and then became their countryside abode. In the following centuries, this family maintained close relationships with the most influential European dynasties, among which Anjou.

The tower was built in the 14th century by taking inspiration from the one topping Palazzo della Signoria, but crenellations were changed to avoid infringement of a specific Florentine law. 

At the beginning of the 17th century, it was decided to renovate the whole castle with the creation of many new rooms connecting the pre-existing buildings. Other decorations were added in the 20th century by painter Gino Severini on behalf of the new English owners.

During World War II the castle was used by the Florentine Soprintendenza to safeguard illustrious masterworks taken from the Uffizi Gallery. Among these there were La Madonna di Ognissanti (Giotto), the Adorazione dei Magi (Ghirlandaio) and Primavera (Botticelli).

In 1969 the castle was bought by current owners who converted it into a luxury hotel.

In the heart of Florence, just two steps from the beautiful Piazza Santa Croce, historic palazzo for sale with project for a luxury boutique hotel. The imposing property, set in a very quiet area of the center, is currently under development and has been thought as a 14-key hotel with a stunning internal courtyard and a breathtaking panoramic rooftop terrace. The property is also suited as a private house.

The property is close to shops, amenities and landmarks and services can be easily reached on foot in just a few minutes. The hospital of Careggi is just 15’ away as well, while trams stop regularly at the Santa Maria Novella train station.

At the borders of Chianti and not far from Florence, this 53.9-ha estate houses an Agriturismo with 35 apartments (85 beds) split among three beautiful historic buildings. A chapel and a restaurant offer the perfect location for weddings and events. An ample olive grove (roughly 5,300 trees) allows producing roughly 4.5 tons of extra-virgin olive oil per year. In 2014, the farm was awarded the organic certification and all the activities are carried out respecting nature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS

The property is made by several buildings. The residential/hospitality portion offers a total of 85 beds split among 35 independent units, all located inside three finely restored and modernized buildings granting optimal comforts to the guests.

The manorial villa (1,604 m² – 17,259 ft², 24 bedrooms and 23 bathrooms), dating back to the 18th century, houses seventeen guest apartments, the reception, a TV room and two ample cellars in the basement where olive oil is stored (77 m² – 828 ft²). The building has been carefully restored maintaining its rustic look but equipping it with modern comforts needed for guests’ accommodation: all the apartments have kitchen and private bathroom and boasts typical exposed beams and floors tiled in Florentine terracotta.

Right next to the villa is located the restaurant (168 m² – 1,807 ft², 3 bathrooms), capable of accommodating up to 60 guests. The room is also used for tasting sessions and educational activities.

Farmhouse N°1 (297 m² – 3,196 ft², 10 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms) houses the owners’ residence and six guest apartments with private bathroom and kitchen corner. This building has been restored as well, keeping its rustic look unaltered.

Last building for the guests, Farmhouse N°2 (466 m² – 5,014 ft², 17 bedrooms and 18 bathrooms) houses twelve apartments, each finely restored and fitted with private bathroom and kitchen, cooking corner.

The property is then completed by an 18th-century manorial chapel (45 m² – 484 ft²), offering a unique location for weddings, a laundry room and an agricultural shed (140 m² – 1,506 ft²).

In the hills of Tuscany, just outside a village less than half an hour from Florence, historical villa converted into a boutique hotel with swimming pool and wellness center. The building (2,230 m², renovated in 2015) now offers 22 guest bedrooms, a restaurant with outdoor space and beautifully decorated halls for events and ceremonies. The 3.8 hectares of land include an elegant Italian garden, swimming pool area with solarium and a large olive grove.

All services are available in the nearby village (1 km; 2') and the historical center of Florence is about 25' drive away.

On the hills of Florence, a few minutes from Sesto Fiorentino, medieval castle with renovation project for the creation of six flats. The building (3,630 m²) dates back to the Middle Ages and the late Renaissance and is situated in a dominant position on the surrounding plain. By reworking the interior spaces, which nevertheless retain their salient features, one could create elegant flats with a communal garden, swimming pool and even a wellness center in the old cellars.

The castle is located in a quiet position but not far from the services: the center of Sesto Fiorentino is in fact just a 15' drive away and here you can find everything you need (supermarkets, banks, post offices, bars, restaurants...). The historic center of Florence is also a little further away (20' drive), as is the airport.

The hotel is located right in the historic centre of Florence, with all the monuments of the city at hand. The Santa Maria Novella train station can be reached on foot and grants a useful transportation to every corner of Tuscany.

The most interesting cities one can reach in a short time frame are Greve in Chianti (32km; 45’), the turreted San Gimignano (57km; 1h 5’), the Etruscan Volterra (76km; 1h 20’), the medieval Siena (77km; 1h 15’) and Lucca with its awesome walls (79km; 1h).

The most useful airport is of course Firenze Peretola (8km; 20’), but others are easily reached, such as Pisa Galilei (81km; 1h 5’), Bologna Marconi (103km; 1h 25’), Roma Ciampino (290km; 3h) and Roma Fiumicino (305km; 3h 5’).