Marchesa Grand Canal

Marchesa at a glance

This magnificent four or six-bedroom apartment is located on the second piano nobile of one of the most extraordinary and important palaces on Venice's Grand Canal, close to the Accademia bridge.
 
Property Description

Marchesa is the secondo piano nobile of a palazzo still in private family ownership. It has recently been the object of a painstaking conservative restoration aimed at preserving and enhancing the original features of its eighteenth-century interior, including the exquisite Rococo and Neo-Classical stucco work depicting scenes from classical mythology.
 
The apartment, all in original style, consists of a stunning main salone passante as well as a further large salon, four/six bedrooms, five/seven bathrooms, breakfast room and a galley-style kitchen. There is a further service bedroom accessible from the kitchen for a nanny or au pair.
 
The mesmerising grand salon is an evocative space, where you can still breathe in the spirit of the early 20th century when it was the salon of the Princess Winnaretta de Polignac, née Singer, of great importance for the musical avant-garde in Europe, while among others, Ethel Smyth and Igor Stravinsky, were guests in the Palazzo. The grand piano was once the instrument of Igor Stravinsky and many other famous pianists who enjoyed playing it. There are two art-nouveau sofas much admired by Wagner during his visits to the palazzo in the 19th century. One can’t help but imagine the famous composer laying there, on a lovely Spring day, enjoying the cool breeze sweeping into the space from the large open windows.
 
In addition to a number of very important paintings, the piano nobile is furnished with original period pieces from the Empire and Neoclassical era. An original wooden table, which can be extended to accommodate 18 for dinner, is positioned in the centre of the room, and is the favourite spot to enjoy many hours in good company, while sipping on a good wine or tasting a delicious meal.
 
The large step-on balcony affords commanding views of the Grand Canal and some of its most important palaces, such as Palazzo Barbaro and Palazzo Franchetti.
 
The Accademia bedroom is the Master bedroom of the Palazzo, featuring three towering windows overlooking the Grand Canal and the Accademia bridge, framed by stylish Rubelli drapes. A comfortable sitting area allows guests to retire to their room for extra quiet and relaxation. The king-size bed with sprung mattress and 4 hypoallergenic pillows is covered in Rubelli fabric. A walk-in closet space is tucked away, behind the bedroom. Here, a passage leads to a large windowed bathroom with tub and amenities by Occitane.

The Empire bedroom: features a queen bed 150x190, custom made to fit the antique Empire-style frame, and complemented by period dresser, cupboard and matching nightstands.  The Empire bedroom is also accessed through the main salon, and connects to a small corridor, leading to a bathroom with walk in shower, tub and  amenities by Occitane.

The Baldacchino Bedroom is accessed via a corridor, and through the grand drawing room which looks on to the palace’s jasmine-filled courtyard. This large bedroom features a sitting area with antique bureau,  high ceilings, and a magnificent canopied bed, acquired  from the collection of the late Charlie de Beistegui, the flamboyant designer and collector who owned the nearby Palazzo Labia, also remembered for a masked ball he gave there in 1951 “Le Bal Oriental”, (and which soon came to be known as the ‘party of the century’, a welcome highlight in the comparatively austere post-war years in Venice).

The good quality standard queen mattress assures a completely satisfactory sleep. A very large bathroom with stand-alone tub and separate shower, his and hers sinks and Occitane amenities complete this suite.

The Mezzanino bedroom:this double bedroom with standard queen-size bed (which can also be made up as two twins) is a smaller en-suite accommodation, which is accessed through the Baldacchino bedroom. It is ideal for two children or intimate friends or family.

The Faure suite: a two-bedroom Suite accessible either from the main salon or from an independent entrance.  The first bedroom has a french bed (130x190), and overlooks a quiet internal courtyard. The second bedroom has standard queen bed and Grand Canal views. There are two bathrooms with tub/shower.

This is one of the most authentic and beautiful properties available to let in Venice - simple classic living. There is private water gate access.

Ann-Marie's comment: This is a classic Grand Canal property in one of the most important palazzos in Venice, where relaxed Venetian style living abounds. Family owned and simple and classic in style.

Further information about this apartment

Floor plan

Dorsoduro

This sestiere is regarded as the Mayfair of Venice: quiet yet brimming with things to see, from the Guggenheim Museum with its delightful, leafy gardens and exquisitely curated collection of modern art, to the Punta Della Dogana, a sensational collection of contemporary art in the old customs building, recently restored by Tadao Ando, to the Accademia Galleries. Snaking along the berst part of the Grand Canal, you will find charming palazzi - some grand and opulent, others on a pleasingly human scale. Take a short stroll from the Accademia Bridge to the Zattere for a long canalside ‘passeggiata’ or to Campo Santa Margherita, where locals gather to catch up with friends to enjoy the night air... Perfect for an evening spritz before dinner, or a nightcap before walking home.

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