Tuscany, Arezzo, Cortona, Italy

Portion of Country house with Views, Cortona, Arezzo – Tuscany

Portion of Stone Country house with panoramic views, nestled on a hill adjacent to Cortona, with views of the Val di Chiana. The property is designed in a horseshoe shape composed of an older part, dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, and a recent addition to expand the living accommodation in this sought after location. The extension and restoration works were carried out by an architect preserving the rustic style of the Cortona area but with the considerations of modern building energy efficiency. The building interior is in its raw unfinished state allowing buyers to choose finishes, install desired systems and customise the house to their own taste. The property is 175 sqm, built with a combination of local stone or masonry walls, and modern efficiency bricks covered with local stone. The roofs are constructed using oak beams, there are arched walkways and niches and local traditional building techniques and finishes. Spread over two main levels it is prepared for two independent units if desired. On the ground floor there are seven rooms which, according to the original plan can be set out as follows: entrance hall, large living room with fireplace, bedroom / multifunctional, wood oven / bathroom, closet / bathroom, kitchen, dining room with fireplace and pantry. On the same floor, adjoining, there is a 30sqm garage which has an entrance decorated with a hand-worked local stone platband. From the garage you can access a spacious cavity surrounding the entire perimeter adjacent to the hill. The 30 cm thick reinforced concrete wall, almost 4 meters high, has been scrupulously waterproofed with a system of channels to keep the interior safe and dry. This fantastic space could be used as a home cinema or games room, a separate working area or be designated for another use. Still on the same floor, a few steps up from the dining room, a bright bedroom, overlooks the valley, complete with exclusive bathroom and walk-in closet both of which have their own windows. The wooden beams of the sloped roof are original, the result of careful restoration. From the living room, through a large corridor, you enter the stairwell. A skylight lights a path to the first floor, where there are 3 rooms comprising of two more bright bedrooms and a bathroom. One bedroom enjoys a view of the valley, the other gives access to a terrace, designed to accommodate a gazebo maximising the panoramic view. Externally there is a rear garden to the back and a courtyard in front of the garage. A 2,500-square-meter well-kept olive grove has been home to 100 olive trees, quince, fig, wild fennel and laurel for over a century. An area of the olive grove has already been designated to accommodate a swimming pool by virtue of its position and view. On the border between Tuscany and Umbria, the property is easy to reach from Arezzo and Siena but also from the Trasimeno lake area, Perugia and Assisi. An exciting project, with planning & building already completed by a local architect its ready for the finishing touches. Excellent as a first home but above all as a second home and / or as holiday let.