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Luxury homes with private garage: a rare value in the center
Published 05-11-2026
Panoramic terraces, frescoes, elevators, and views of monuments are among the most sought-after features in prestigious city homes. However, there is a less spectacular feature in photos, but often decisive in daily life: the private garage.
In luxury homes located in historic centers, being able to park inside the property means arriving home without looking for a spot, protecting the car, and having a reserved space also for bicycles, equipment, or charging systems. An apparently simple advantage that, in old buildings, can be extremely difficult to find.
It is therefore not surprising that, among the properties in historic centers selected by Romolini Real Estate, the presence of a garage represents a distinctive element.
Why the private garage is rare in historic centers
Renaissance palaces, noble residences, and medieval houses were built long before the spread of the automobile. Their ground floors were intended for shops, warehouses, stables, cellars, or service areas, while entrances were sized for people, carts, and animals.
Today, transforming these spaces into garages is not always possible. Narrow doors, uneven floors, small courtyards, and masonry structures difficult to modify can prevent the entry and maneuvering of a contemporary vehicle. Additionally, there is the need to respect the architectural character of the buildings and any preservation regulations.
For this reason, an existing garage, regularly designated for this function and easily accessible, is an advantage that cannot be replicated with a simple renovation.
Real luxury is reducing daily complications
The value of the garage does not depend only on square meters. In the city center, it mainly counts the ability to use it comfortably every day.
A well-designed garage allows moving from the car to the home discreetly, transporting luggage or purchases without covering long distances, and leaving the vehicle sheltered. In a residence used only during some periods of the year, it also allows storing the car when the house remains closed.
For those who own historic or collectible cars, security, ventilation, absence of humidity, and the possibility to maintain adequate environmental conditions become important. In this case, the garage ceases to be a simple accessory room and becomes an integral part of the property.
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Three Romolini properties with garages in the center
Palazzo de’ Bardi: 73 sqm garage in the Florentine Oltrarno
Palazzo de’ Bardi represents one of the most significant examples. The property overlooks Via de’ Bardi, in the heart of the Oltrarno, and includes nine apartments spread over five floors.
The palace was restored between 2020 and 2021, integrating an elevator, modern systems, and security measures. On the ground floor is a private garage of 73 sqm: a particularly rare feature in such a central area of Florence.
In this case, the garage is proportionate to the size of the entire building and its possible destinations. The palace can indeed be used as a large private residence, a representative office, or a property composed of several independent units. The garage allows maintaining this flexibility without giving up the convenience of vehicular access in the historic center.
Piano Nobile Montepulciano: the garage completes the historic residence
In the historic center of Montepulciano, Piano Nobile Montepulciano occupies the entire first floor of Palazzo Batignani, a building born from the 16th-century transformation of previous medieval structures.
The home has about 410 sqm, three bedrooms, representative rooms, and a panoramic terrace overlooking the hills, vineyards, and lakes of Valdichiana. The property includes a 22 sqm garage, also located in a historic building. The listing also notes the presence of two cars housed inside, confirming its actual use.
The garage complements a residence that allows living along Montepulciano's main street without giving up daily car management. It's a particularly significant detail in a village characterized by ancient streets, slopes, and limited parking spaces.
Don Quixote Apartment: garage, elevator, and terrace in Sansepolcro
A more contemporary example is Don Quixote Apartment, located in the heart of Sansepolcro, overlooking the city walls.
The apartment, recently renovated and served by an elevator, offers a bright living area, designer furnishings, and a 70 sqm panoramic terrace with a bioclimatic pergola. On the ground floor there is a 17 sqm garage.
This configuration shows how even a single garage, if located in the same building and associated with a ready-to-live-in home, can impact the overall quality of the property. The connection between the ground floor, elevator, and apartment makes everyday home use easier.
Garage, box, and parking space are not the same
When evaluating a luxury home with a private garage, it is important to understand exactly which space is included in the sale.
A garage inside the same building generally offers the most convenient solution. A box in a nearby building can be equally useful but requires crossing an outdoor stretch. A private parking space guarantees a reserved space but does not offer the same protection as an enclosed room.
There are also courtyards where parking is allowed, but without a formally assigned space. This is a different condition from both garages and exclusive parking spaces and must be carefully verified.
The commercial description thus represents only the starting point. Ownership titles, floor plans, and cadastral documentation must clarify whether the garage is autonomous, accessory, condominium-owned, or simply granted for use.
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What to check before buying
The surface area indicated in the listing is not enough to establish if a garage is really suitable for one's needs. During the visit, it is advisable to check:
- the width and height of the gate;
- the effectively usable internal dimensions;
- space needed to open doors;
- the width of the street in front of the entrance;
- turning radius and maneuver possibilities;
- the presence of ramps or tight curves;
- ventilation, humidity, and possible infiltration;
- the operation of the automatic door;
- connection with elevator, stairs, or main entrance;
- availability of electric outlets and system power;
- technical and authorization feasibility of installing electric car charging;
- urban planning and cadastral destination of the room.
It is advisable to perform at least one test with a car of similar size to the one that will be used. A formally large garage could prove uncomfortable due to the gate, street configuration, or lack of maneuvering space.
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