Made entirely of stainless steel, concrete, and glass, this incredible six-bedroom, five-bathroom property was conceived by Jean Nouvel, the world-renowned French architect. It’s in good company, counting Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild as a neighbor. Boasting far-reaching views across the Bay of Villefranche, the structure is super-modern, yet blends beautifully into the hillside by following the plot’s topography.
Savills Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is handling the sale of the €46 million residence.
One-Off Masterpiece
Taking six years to complete, the unique home spans 595 square meters and sits on a 4,077-square-meter lot. Standout contemporary features include rain chains, glass overhangs, limited divisional walls, recessed air conditioning ducts, and stainless steel setback columns.
The project was challenging, but the result is phenomenal – minimalist yet highly functional. Built on a very steep lot across multiple elevations, if you look at the villa from the sea, you can hardly see it, because it’s low-rise and covered with vines and landscaping.
Enter the ground-level indoor garage, an expanse comfortably accommodating six to eight stacked cars. The slick space features a skylight bringing in natural light, automatic drop-down curtains, heated flooring, built-in speakers, and a seating area, meaning it’s way more than somewhere to store vehicles.
From there, stroll through the minimalist walkway complete with sequence lighting, and head up in the elevator. Whichever floor you exit at, glass is visible at every turn – roof and walls – meaning exceptional natural light, intensified by the west-facing orientation. At the same time, rows of small plants nestle on strings above the roof, giving residents shade. Meanwhile, thin profile sliding doors throughout and outside spaces galore enable maximum indoor-outdoor living.
The first level houses the uber-spacious primary suite, boasting high ceilings and innovative cabinetry separating the bathroom and bedroom. There’s also a seating area, warm textures, an eye-catching towering bookshelf, and a specially made art installation.
Next, check out the decking and dome ceiling that channels your view toward the sea. Outside, there’s a private 2.5-meter-wide by 12.5-meter-long pool, while back indoors, the en-suite has a built-in Corian bathtub, a walk-in shower, and glass doors opening to an intimate patio.
On the second story, you’ll find the sleek stainless steel Arclinea kitchen with Gaggenau and Miele appliances, and the formal dining area with a solid wood table and leather-wrapped chairs. It’s worth noting the custom-curated furniture comes with the house.
Outside, there’s more seating for al fresco meals. Down the hallway are several stylish bedrooms with superb sea vistas. Noteworthy elements include hardwood flooring, built-in closets, stainless steel beds, rosewood paneling, and Corian en-suites.
The third floor houses the living spaces, complete with a pop-up TV, an informal dining area, and multiple seating spots – pull up a pew and savor the unparalleled sunsets. In the garden, admire the 3.5-meter-wide by 15-meter-long infinity edge pool before heading to the fourth and fifth landscaped levels, laden with plants, trees, and herbs.
Safety and privacy were kept in mind – cameras are dotted throughout – and there’s a detached two-story home, usable as security and staff quarters, or for guests.
Award-Winning Jean Nouvel
Nouvel has garnered numerous prestigious distinctions, including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture (for the Arab World Institute he designed), the Wolf Prize in Arts, and the Pritzker Prize. Founder of Ateliers Jean Nouvel, today, it’s one of the largest architectural firms in France.
Nouvel’s boldly experimental designs “defy a general characterization”. They “create a visual landscape that fit their context, sometimes by making them contrast with the surrounding area”.
Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, Paris
His diverse projects range from the Cartier Foundation building in Paris to Louvre in Abu Dhabi and Tower Verre in New York to One Central Park in Sydney. Other notable designs include Barcelona’s bullet-shaped Agbar Tower, Copenhagen’s Concert Hall, London’s One New Change, and renovating Opéra National de Lyon. The list goes on, spanning China, Brazil, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and more.
Enviable and Iconic Location
The most desirable peninsula in France, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is synonymous with wealth, high class, and culture. Private and secluded, the area’s hilltop properties have unrivaled outlooks.
Over the years, an array of famous people have reportedly lived in and visited the upscale French Riviera hotspot, from Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill, and Elizabeth Tayor to Sean Connery, Keith Richards, and Bill Gates.
The Nouvel-designed villa sits on the west coast of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, enjoying uninterrupted Mediterranean Sea panoramas, yet within half an hour of Nice and Monaco.
For more superb properties, look at luxury homes for sale in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
