Restored 17th Century Village House With Golden Triangle Views, Menaggio

Casa de Caro sits in the old Castello neighbourhood of Menaggio, in an elevated position with uninterrupted views across Lake Como and the Golden Triangle. A 10-minute stroll down through the cobbled streets takes you into the town centre.

Thanks to a careful restoration project, the house has been featured twice, in both Italian and Dutch interiors and architecture magazines.

The villa was built in two eras. The oldest part is a seventeenth-century tower, now the sleeping quarters, with one bedroom per floor across three levels and a lake view from every room. The living wing was added in the early twentieth century and holds the entrance, kitchen and living area, with large Crittall-style windows that open the house to the view and flood the space with light.

The renovation was overseen by a well-known local architect and builder, both with extensive experience in renovating the historic properties of the lake. They worked alongside a Dutch designer for the interiors. The approach throughout was to modernise without losing what was already there. The original ’cotto lombardo’ terracotta floor was lifted from the bedroom, restored, and relaid in the kitchen. Wherever possible, the original painted finishes and wooden beams have been kept and restored, so the interior still carries the character of the house’s past.

You arrive into the kitchen, a bespoke design made to measure by a local artisan in reclaimed wood, with Italian marble worktops and sinks. The kitchen, dining and living areas run as one open space, zoned into three, with a wood-burning stove in the living room. The main terrace opens straight off the dining area, set up for long lunches and dinners with the lake in front of you. Whether it’s a quiet morning coffee or a long dinner with friends, the indoor and outdoor living flow seamlessly together.

From the dining area, you connect to the old tower and the night area, with a bedroom on each of the three levels. The antique stairs transport you back to a previous time. Each bedroom enjoys lake views. Two have en-suite bathrooms, while the other is served by a family bathroom. From the lowest bedroom, you step out onto a second terrace, a covered area so you can sit outside and stay sheltered from the summer heat. It also connects through to a small reading room, ideal as a study or simply a place to admire the panorama.

All the outdoor areas are paved, needing very little upkeep. At the entrance, there is a parking space for a small car, with potential for an additional parking option close by.

During the project, the owners installed air conditioning and underfloor heating throughout. A technical room with laundry facilities completes the property. The villa is to be sold furnished, a rare opportunity to purchase an immaculate turn-key home.

Menaggio is one of the main towns on the western shore and one of the best-connected on the lake. The pretty piazza is filled with shops and restaurants, and there is a long, tree-lined lakefront promenade. It is a lively town with full facilities, including frequent ferry services across the Golden Triangle to Bellagio and Varenna, and down to the city of Como. Loved by cyclists and hikers, its position gives the best of both worlds for mountain and water sports. Menaggio is also home to the lake’s only golf course, one of Italy’s oldest, and makes a good base for winter sports. Lake Lugano is only 20 minutes’ drive, and Milan Malpensa Airport is reachable within 1hr 20 minutes.

Every corner of Casa de Caro has been curated. It’s cosy yet elegant, full of historic charm, and ready to enjoy from day one.