All aspects of the house have views of the Bellagio peninsula the lake and breathtaking mountain views and Malpensa Airport is
Posted in General on 24. Sep, 2010
All aspects of the house have views of the Bellagio peninsula, the lake and breathtaking mountain views, and Malpensa Airport is an hour away.Just in front of the Hotel d’Este, a house dating back to the early 1900s is for sale at €800,000 which has lovely views of the lake and the mountains. It’s so full of culture, I love the people, and I wanted to buy somewhere that is sophisticated and special,” says Judy.On seeing the apartment for the first time Judy found that the property and location fulfilled her entire wish list. Maggiore, the second largest lake, winds romantically between Lombardy and Piedmont and its western shores hold the scenic towns of Stresa, Verbania and the village of Baveno where the Snows bought “I’ve always had a love of Italy. Judy Snow admits that being neighbours with Clooney wouldn’t be a bad thing. “I’ve always been a fan, but the charms of Lake Maggiore ultimately won out,” she says. In December Judy, and husband Alan, paid £105,000 for a beautiful, restored one-bedroom apartment on the edges of Lake Maggiore through Casa Travella.”I first saw it on line and fell in love immediately,” she says. Because it can’t be reached by car, access is via a romantic, 18th century stone path.
Price says that property values in the area are on a par with the Tuscan countryside, “around €5,500 (£3,800) per square metre”, and most clients seek “beautiful lakeside villas” with budgets of around €3m.Knight Frank are marketing a villa for €1,350,000 set in woodland at Cadenabbia, deemed to be one of the best locations in Lake Como. Garda is the largest of the lakes but thanks to its position, near Verona rather than Milan, and its sheer size it does not have the sophisticated image of the others but attracts families who flock here to Italy’s largest theme park, Gardaland.James Price finds that his buyers inevitably want to be near Lake Como: “It really is the most dramatic physically and holds the most international appeal.” The western shore is deemed the most sophisticated; hotspots such as Cernobbia which boasts the most upmarket hotel in the region, the Villa d’Este, a 16th century former convent, where luminaries such as Byron, Puccini, Elizabeth Taylor and Sharon Stone have have all been invited. International Director James Price says that this part of Italy has always held true international appeal but, on a recent visit, he certainly noticed the Clooney factor: “His name is on everyone’s lips, Clooney is the buzz word, he’s definitely brought publicity to the Italian Lakes.”A chance meeting with George would be nice but the Lakes have far more to offer. As well as the romantic lakes of Como, Garda, Lugano and Maggiore, a large range of property is available from the many gorgeous examples of period villas down to brand new apartments.Agents and buyers report that this truly is a year-round destination, with many water based activities, golf and walking available in summer and skiing in winter, but deciding which lake you prefer is a purely personal decision.
But increasing numbers of British buyers are now realising that this northern region of Italy is a perfect retreat and no longer is it just the preserve of the rich and famous.
Agent Knight Frank recently began selling here in response to the growing demand. The Italian Lakes have always had a suave and sophisticated image, this region’s proximity to Milan has made it a playground for well-heeled Italians who like to escape the city at weekends, and George Clooney’s purchase on Lake Como last year did little to change that. Two-bedroom properties begin at £249,000 with larger units going on sale later in the year from £375,000. Service charges are still being calculated to cover communal facilities including a concierge service.Agent: Linden Homes, 01923 229229.Property three: Adapted bungalow, mixed community.Price: £425,000.Agent’s details: Firgrove Lodge, in the village of Bielby, 12 miles from York, is a good example of a large property with grounds discreetly tailored to those with disabilities.
This bungalow has four bedrooms, a study, a double garage and a kitchen with granite work surfaces, Spanish terracotta tiles and a US-style fridge freezer. The paved terrace and lawned garden have easy maintenance, while the front door and three internal ones are double width; the others are 90cm wide instead of the standard 84cm. Electricity sockets are at a higher level than usual and light switches are also lower, all suited to wheelchair users.Agent: Blenkin & Co, 01904 671672If you would like House Hunter’s help, write to: The Independent, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS, 020-7005-2000 or e-mail: househunter independent.co.uk. On site will be a swimming pool, hydrotherapy spa and gymnasium, all with wheelchair access and disability-friendly changing rooms. There is comfortable wheelchair access to the property and the surrounding area is predominantly flat.