Nestled on the cliffside, directly above the sea of the Amalfi Coast in the small town of Conca dei Marini in the province of Salerno, luxury 400-sqm pieds-dans-l’eau villa with panoramic terrace and direct access to the seaside.
In an easily reached position, with a wonderful view over the Tyrrhenian Sea, this beautiful villa is perfect for anyone looking for a holiday house in a renowned location close to several of the most appreciated places of Campania and Amalfi Coast (Amalfi, Pompeii, Naples, Paestum, Caserta, Palinuro...).
The closest airports are Napoli Capodichino (63km; 1h 25’), Salerno Costa d’Amalfi (48km; 1h 30’), Roma Ciampino (265km; 3h 15’) and Roma Fiumicino (291km; 3h 30’).
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
A staircase descending from the road leads directly onto the beautiful sea view terrace covered by a small wooden and bamboo pergola. From the terrace one can then enter the living area of the villa made up in sequence of a kitchen with pantry, a beautiful vaulted hall with dining area and three sea view balconies, a sitting area with terrace and staircase to the sea, and a service bathroom in the corner of the building. From the entry, right next to the kitchen, a winding staircase descends into the main sleeping area made up of a master bedroom with private bathroom and terrace, two guest bedrooms with private bathroom and terraces, and a corridor through the rocky cliff that reaches a cellar at the end.
From the main sleeping area another winding staircase (right next to the previous one) descends further towards two more guest bedrooms with a shared bathroom. Finally, another staircase branches from the corridor into the last bedroom with private bathroom. From here, a door opens onto the cliffside staircase that leads to a waterfront platform that can be used as either a relax area or a mooring for a small boat.
STATE AND FINISHES
The villa was originally a humble fishermen’s house and was bought right after World War II by Riccardo di Sangro. Desiring a beautiful pieds-dans-l’eau villa, the prince paid no mind to expenses for the renovation and tasked Coco Chanel to design the tiles for the interiors. These ceramics were then produced by the renowned Ernestine factory in Salerno.
In the later 1950s, Riccardo sold his villa to the lawyer Alessandro d’Urso who also bought other neighboring palazzos to have a huge sea view villa. The new building revolved around a beautiful vaulted room, previously a rope factory for fishing nets.
As before, the renovation was again supervised by a famous name, the Spanish architect Julio Lafuente (1921 – 2013) who transformed the rope factory into a beautiful living hall and created a multi-floor night area below the terrace.
Among the illustrious guest d’Urso welcomed in his house we must remember the queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961 (whose visit is depicted in a picture where the family is relaxing in the docking bay below the house) and the Italian entrepreneur Giovanni Agnelli. The latter was so impressed by the location that he managed to convince his sister, Maria Sole, to buy the neighboring palazzo which is still owned by the Campello family.
Just a few years later, d’Urso sold the villa to count Chandon (owner of the famous label Moët-Chandon) who, in turn, later sold it to the current owners.
The villa is currently in good shape, with white-painted plastered walls, gifting the house with an unrivaled brightness. Floors are covered in ancient terracotta tiles and the rooms are pretty classical. In the night-zone we can find some beautifully painted majolica tiles, designed by Coco Chanel. The peculiar stone arches grant a wonderful view over the sea. Doors, as well as several other pieces of furniture, are made out of high quality wood. The four impressive balconies of the living room have been recently restored.
EXTERIORS
The residence is enriched by a beautiful panoramic terrace offering a magnificent view over the Tyrrhenian Sea. The wood and bamboo cover over the terrace, while being simple, is very effective and not disturbing and grants the possibility of relaxing outdoor (without worrying about the sun) or having pleasant al fresco dinners with friends and relatives.
The most interesting feature of the property is, without a doubt, the private sea access with a cozy platform where one can relax. Small boats can be parked here and the property is easily accessed from the sea. The bay is reached via a characteristic staircase carved in stone.
USE AND POTENTIAL USES
The villa is perfect if someone is looking for a business-ready property, given the presence of several bedrooms and direct access to the seaside. From the accommodation perspective, it is however possible for the owners to keep living in the villa while renting out other bedrooms.
Alternatively, it is clearly possible to use the villa as a private exclusive house, either as a stable residence or as a holiday and summer house.