Property Description

Unique 1960s Design Sea-View Villa in Palermo Province, with Gardens, Beach Access and Panoramic Roof Terrace

A distinctive gem with a dramatic modernist silhouette and an unbeatable seafront position, Villa Elena is a detached villa in Santa Flavia that radiates the iconic style of the swinging 1960s.

The villa was in fact built by the celebrated Sicilian architect Luigi Caleca. Dr. Caleca lectured at the university of Palermo, where he oversaw the construction of some notable buildings, and published books on the subject of twentieth century architectural engineering, so you are buying a property which is the work of a craftsman and a scholar, there is nothing mass-produced or cookie-cutter. This is a legacy property.

On the peninsula of Capo Zafferano, 15 kilometres east of the centre of Palermo, the detached four-bedroom property is surrounded by garden, which circles the house but stretches for an expansive 700m2 of gently sloping orchard that runs towards the sea just 150m away.

The panoramic roof terrace offers unbeatable views of the surrounding towns, mountains, and of course the great turquoise carpet of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The very last property on its street, there are few better points from which to take in this colourful tapestry.

With a right of way (easement) across another property that takes you straight to water, the leafy green surroundings of the gardens and the fresh air available from the wraparound first floor terrace as well as the flat roof, this is a property that makes the very best of Sicily’s nature, while standing out against it with a bold geometric design.

The sea-view villa in Palermo province would make a perfect year-round home for a sociable family who love to entertain and host big events. There is enough space to sleep ten guests if you need. Then the large outdoor spaces and the backdrop provided by the surrounding nature and the stylish architecture is a perfect way to put yourself at the heart of the local community.

The Property

The villa is built on two floors, although the essential living space is all on the first. This is reached by a wide external staircase that uses the same reinforced concrete construction as the building itself.

The highlight of the home is the fabulous living room: hexagonal with vast windows on three sides and sea views to the east. With floor-to-ceiling windows you feel faintly as though you are on the bridge of a great ship. It is impossible not to appreciate the ambition and fearlessness of the architect Caleca.

Warmth comes in from the sun from its first rise across the water outside, and also from within as a brick-sided open fireplace gives a reassuring homely touch to what is a cool and chic space. Local marble in soft red and white tones also roots the space in the region’s history. The unmissable presence of the outside world is a perfect counterpoint, brought effortlessly indoors through the huge glazed walls and the twin French windows that take you out onto the deep wraparound terrace.

Facing east, this is a special space from which to enjoy the morning sun, and a breakfast on that terrace with a view of the Tyrrhenian Sea – stretching as far as the volcanic Aeolian Islands on a clear day – is a rare joy.

Two of the bedrooms also connect to the terrace: a small double which would be a very comfortable single, and a comfortably-sized master with a built-in wardrobe. Beyond this are two studies which would be guest bedrooms, and then a sunny kitchen, with a walk-in larder and another tiny room that was once a staff bedroom, with an en-suite WC. This area of the property has terracotta floor tiles.

A compact WC and a large family bathroom with both a tub and a shower cubicle complete the level. These are rather dated in design and fitting, but the bathroom in particular has plenty of potential.

A metal spiral staircase leads up to the roof terrace. The view, as we mentioned earlier, is really special. The neighbouring villa has an immaculate ornamental garden, while the other properties in the area are a discrete distance away. To the north-west is the rocky outcrop of Capo Zafferano, over which the sun regularly sets in a glorious colourful display. To the east, you have that huge swathe of the Gulf of Termini Imerese. Mountains recede into the distance, where they start to rise up into the mighty Madonie Natural Park, and the Rock of the world famous beach town Cefalù stands out at the end of the coast.

The garden is about 700 square metres and planted liberally with olive, lemon and pomegranate trees. The area around the home has a fixed grill and a storeroom for wood and garden tools can be put. Underneath the living room, in a large concrete space defined by by pillars and a circular trellis, is a veranda which has hosted plenty of bohemian parties over the years. This is served by a second kitchen, and a bathroom with a shower, allowing you to entertain at scale without needing to invite the world into your home.

A tall fence rings the property, softened with climbing plants. A gate opens onto a driveway up to the spacious double garage.

Surroundings

Santa Flavia is a beautiful region of Sicily area that we know well – some of our dedicated team have made their homes in this area for decades now. This part of town is home to some of the nicest villas to be found along the stretch of coast that runs around the headland of Capo Zafferano. It’s a richly varied shoreline: small beaches alternate with rocks that jut directly out into the crystal clear water. The area’s most popular beach is just a stone’s throw away.

The town is home to about 10,000 people. This number swells in the summer months, but it is not a tourist economy, the shops, bars and restaurants stay open year round. You are close to the train station, less than ten minutes by foot, and from here you can be in the old town of Palermo in twenty minutes, or on the sands of Cefalù in under an hour.

The seafront district of Porticello is just to the north, home to a busy fishing harbour and some first rate seafood restaurants where you can dine like a king without breaking the bank.

The nearest small city, between your new home and Palermo, is Bagheria, a Baroque jewel with some legendary villas and public architecture. Foodies will love the fact that it is home to a pair of Michelin-starred restaurants, for a sophisticated treat and an alternative to the region’s legendary street food or cooking for yourselves in your sea-view villa.

In Palermo you will find world-class culture of all kinds. The city’s eighteenth century opera house is reputed to be the most acoustically-perfect of any in Europe, the stunning new marina was inaugurated just a year ago and the boutiques of Via Libertà are home to all of Italy’s most celebrated fashion houses.

Potential

On a structural level, Villa Elena is incredibly solid and stable and our survey found no issues. As you will have realised by the involvement of the renowned architect, no expense was spared in the construction of the property, and it has aged very well for a 60 year-old building.

A little work will need to be done to repair some slightly damaged cornices and some superficial wear and tear to one or two of the columns, but we are confident that if you need a further structural survey the building will get a clean bill of health.

One issue which will, however, need to be addressed concerns the planning permission that was not obtained for the spiral staircase. It will be necessary to remove this and find another solution, correctly installed in accordance with building codes, to reach the roof terrace.

Inside, the priority will be the bathrooms, whose original décor has understandably dated over the past six decades. Replacing these could be done at a cost of around €20,000. You might want to consider re-allocating the spaces in the corner around the kitchen, where at present you have two small toilets, the former staff bedroom and a walk-in larder around the kitchen, which doesn’t feel like the most efficient use of the space.

If you would like to have some experienced assistance with any renovation works, remember that we are not simply a selling agency that forgets our clients when their purchase contracts are exchanged. We have a long history of remaining involved with the properties we sell as consultants or full-scale project managers, and our contact list is second to none. Whether you need a reliable construction team or a professional who speaks your language, we can put you in touch with the very best the region has to offer.

Get in touch with us to ask any questions you have about this unique sea-view property in Palermo’s Capo Zafferano region today.