Village House in Piedmont, Italy

Very Spacious Detached 18th Century Village House in Advanced Stage of Renovation, with Walled Courtyard Garden

Near Nizza Monferrato

Situation : This substantial south-facing village property comprises a very spacious detached house, about 200 years old, and a sunny and sheltered courtyard garden surrounded by a wall providing lots of privacy. It is situated on a quiet street in the centre of a pleasant South Piedmontese village in the heart of the wine-producing region. The village offers day-to-day shopping facilities and is only a short drive away from the busy market town of Nizza Monferrato, a centre of the wine trade with excellent restaurants, boutiques, supermarkets and banks, plus a hospital, cinema etc. The colourful weekly Friday market at the main square, the Piazza Garibaldi, and the antique market - held there on one Sunday a month - are very popular. In the direction of Alessandria the autostrada can be reached by car in 15 minutes. International airports at Milan, Turin and Genoa are within an hour's drive away.

The house is of solid brick construction and has a new fully-insulated roof. The house recently underwent a comprehensive renovation which carefully maintained its original character: the original vaulted ceilings have been sand-blasted to reveal their attractive brickwork; expensive, hand-made Tuscan terracotta floors have been laid throughout the house; and all windows and doors have been framed externally by antique bricks, giving the outside of the house a lot of character. 90% of the renovation has been completed, which means that the outstanding work could be completed quickly by the new owner. All rooms enjoy lots of light and look out over the sunny courtyard, with the old village and its castle in the distance. The house has central heating and a total floor area of about 270 sq. m (2,700 sq.ft).

The ground floor : The original entrance door opens into an entrance hall that leads open-plan to the spacious living room, with a fireplace and French doors that lead onto the courtyard. A further door leads from the living room to a small hallway, off which there is another entrance from the back of the house, a cloak/shower room, and a separate laundry room. To the left of the main entrance hall there is a spacious kitchen, and from the entrance hall there is also access to the beautiful underground wine cellar.

First floor : A stone staircase leads from the entrance hall to the first floor. Here there are two double and two single bedrooms - two of the bedrooms have balconies - plus two modern bathrooms. All the bedrooms have sand-blasted vaulted brick ceilings, and overlook the sunny courtyard.

Second floor : a staircase leads from the first floor to a stunning open-plan room, with a cotto tiled floor, on the second floor. All services have been laid in, so that a further bathroom can easily be installed if required.

Outside: The property is approached by a gate leading into the sun-drenched courtyard garden, surrounded by a brick wall to give maximum privacy. The courtyard, ideal for growing Mediterranean plants, measures approximately 400 sq.m (4,000 sq.ft) and is large enough to accommodate a swimming pool. There is also a small garage, a workshop with an antique bread oven, and a well. The garage/workshop are in need of renovation. At the back of the house there is a second gate, from where a small driveway leads to the second entrance door.

Services: Mains water, mains electricity, gas.

Viewing: Strictly by appointment with the sole agents, Piedmont Properties.

Our personal opinion: A very attractive property in a very convenient and peaceful village; an ideal center for the exploration and enjoyment of the best of the South Piedmont region. Given the advanced state of the renovation, the house can be made habitable quickly.

More Pictures are available of this property.

For price information, contact us quoting reference P219.