Residenza Bellavite

Paris runway-ready and crisply turned out in a style as relevant now as it was back in the day, this exclusive made-to-measure property has been sensitively and luxuriously restored in the most sublime way. The fully air-conditioned apartment is situated on the top two floors of the palazzo in a prime real estate setting close to the Salute and the Guggenheim.

Preserving the precious design influences of its distinguished former owners (prior to the designer owning the property Susanna ‘Suni’ Agnelli - businesswoman, politician and sister of Gianni of Fiat fame - was the proprietress), Residenza Bellavite plays particular homage to Audrey Hepbur, Givenchy’s lifelong friend and muse who personally selected one of the fabrics that still embellishes walls today.

This fashionista’s fairytale residence hosts 6 guests accross 3 bedrooms.

The main palazzo entrance on the ‘fondamenta’, beside the Rio de Torreselle Canal, opens to reveal an impressive stone staircase rising to the apartment’s private entrance on the second floor.

On the second floor landing, guests will find a bright and elegantly understated sitting room / library in ‘ton sur ton’ whites – a restful reading room and fitting introduction to the apartment featuring finely crafted cabinetry, a comfortable sofa, soft lighting and a pair of windows overlooking the hidden green spaces of well-to-do and well-maintained neighbouring gardens.

On the same level, guests will find the apartment’s strikingly spacious and utterly delicious master bedroom – a candied lemon confection richly enrobed from top to toe in Fortuny’s ‘Persiano Citron’ tapestry tastefully dotted with black & white photographs of Hubert and Audrey – wearing Givenchy, naturally – and showcasing white wooden flooring and tall windows dressed in the sumptuous ruffles of billowing festoon blinds, one of which is a beautiful Venetian gothic ogee-arched ‘bifora’ perfectly illustrating the palazzo’s 16th-century roots. A light and airy, all-white en suite bathroom – but not just any bathroom! – a wonderful space in its own right boasting marble flooring, a luxurious freestanding roll-top bathtub with central rain shower above, and an inbuilt vanity unit to the side providing the ultimate opportunity for copious pampering and prepping for your very own Venice premiere!

From the second floor, a narrow curved staircase lit by an extraordinary hand-blown Murano glass Barovier & Toso ‘Hanami’ suspended ceiling lamp drawing the eye upwards, connects this floor with the one above.

On the third floor, guests will find a romantic second double bedroom named ‘The Audrey Hepburn Room’ – a ravishingly intimate haven as charming and graceful as the movie star herself – bedecked in Colefax & Fowler’s ‘Lincoln’ French tapestry personally chosen by Miss Hepburn and home to a double bed, a novel electronically automated cupboard and opulently draped windows framing a quintessentially Venetian view towards St. Mark’s Campanile and the domes of Santa Maria Della Salute. A separate sparkling second bathroom to the side dressed in dapple-grey marble comes with a large shower.

The third floor is also where one will find a characterful second sitting room a delightful ‘Emperor’s Musician’ tapestry adorning its walls, lampshades and luxurious corner sofa, and featuring a sloping beamed ceiling, painted wooden flooring, garden views beyond and a minaret-topped antique birdcage with one of its doors flung open wide to reveal a little flock of glass birds perfectly at home beneath the beams!

And moving on to one of the most innovative rooms in the house and set beneath the eaves is the original, radiant, all-white kitchen / dining room. Way ahead of its time and perfectly arranged to suit the way we like to cook and entertain today, the room houses a pair of long cantilevered dining tables running along its centre with rising and falling mechanisms designed by Fiat engineers (and now permanently set for your convenience), ample Corian worktops, a sink and stove (and more!) to either side, a walk-in fridge-freezer, plus all the mod-cons you’d expect of such a home!

Petite in proportion but enormous in impact – a 3rd sitting room is to the side of the kitchen and is attired from head to foot in dapper nautical stripes and with an all-embracing u-shaped sofa (once seated and relaxed you might never want to budge!)

Additionally, a third double bedroom with a double bed beneath painted beams – fresh, bright and picked out in pretty raspberry hues – offers splendid views of the Rio de Torreselle Canal, Sansovino’s Palazzo Corner, Salute and St. Mark’s Campanile in the distance, and with its own pristine marble en suite bathroom with shower.

Last but not least, this property has a spectacular wooden furnished ‘altana’ rooftop terrace offering breathtaking views of Venetian roofscapes all around and the perfect place for enjoying a ‘Moon River’ moment of your own!

Additional Information:

• The palazzo’s lush and well-tended lawned garden – shared with other palazzo residents and featuring climbing wisteria, small shrubs and a splendid holm oak tree – may be also be used by guests of Residenza Bellavite. Kindly note that picnics, dining and sunbathing are not permitted in the garden.
• Please note that certain rooms have ceiling fans in addition to air-conditioning.
• Please note that a tourist tax of 4 euros/person/night (up to five days) is not included in the price and guests will be required to pay the amount in full at the time of their arrival.
• Please note that pets and parties are not allowed. Exceptions are possible on an enquiry based whereby approval is granted by Property Manager. In circumstances where either are approved, guests may be asked to pay an additional amount.

• Disinfection
• Final cleaning

• Parking reservations
• Private tours
• Taxi services
• Welcome box and shopping at home
• Wine tasting in an exclusive location