Luxury period properties on Lake Como from €4m – €20m
Lake Como is renowned, dating back to the days of Pliny the Younger, as providing exquisite homes in the most wonderful location for the discerning wealthy. From the original Roman owners through the turbulent times when pirates operated on the lake to the construction in the late 19th century of many wonderful villas owned by silk merchants, grand villas have been the distinctive hallmark of Lake Como.
Most period villas were built to accommodate large families and their staff – 6 bedrooms or more and often separate staff accommodation. Expect to find properties with grand staircases, high ceilings with frescoes or ornate wooden ceilings, plenty of marble and great lake views. Some are lakefront with a boathouse, others set back from the lake with substantial grounds.
The majority of larger period villas on Lake Como change hands privately and will not be advertised on the internet or sold through estate agents. The owners will often guard their private affairs in a determined way, denying that their property is for sale. It is all about knowing who should approach the owner and how the approach should be made. Patience is often the key.
The majority of period villas are not in great shape but offer some wonderful opportunities to have an impressive home on Lake Como. Their owners have not had a habit of spending to keep them fully updated, so be prepared to undertake interior updating at the least – it is a rarity to find a splendid villa in wonderful condition, although there are always a handful of these available at top prices.
6+ bedrooms and at least 500m2 of internal living space, wonderful frescoes, grand staircases and period features
Separate staff accommodation
Near perfect lake views, terraces and formal gardens
Ample space for parking and possibly garages
Close to local amenities
Unfortunately many of the grand villas that look great from the outside have had most of their period features eradicated by owners who saw no merit in the features that the international buyer simply must have!
If your budget is above €10m then there will be historic villas on Lake Como available, very discreetly, for you to consider. Grand staircases, high ceilings and a slice of history will be within your reach. Lakefront gardens and a boathouse can be expected, separate staff accommodation and a good degree of privacy behind grand entrance gates.
