Mar 10

Mar 10 The future home for your art collection in Ticino?

A new trend makes headlines around the world: Collectors creating extravagant homes for their art collection. Take Polish billionaire and collector Grazyna Kulczyk: In remote Susch, mountain location in Switzerland, Mrs. Kulczyk bought a medieval monastery and, by enlarging it through excavation of 9’000 tons of rock underneath the existing buildings, transformed it into “Muzeum Susch”, a unique exhibition and museum space thus making story around the world. The opening was on 2nd January 2019.

Brilliant idea with a few essential ingredients

A collector wanting to give his collection a unique home, probably even making it public or creating additional facilities for related exhibitions
An exceptional and meaningful location and/or building
A position within a secure and attractive legal environment and setting, such as Switzerland

For who might feel excited to follow Mrs. Kulczyk's example, without aiming at undertaking a multiple-year transformation, we have three brilliant properties in mind:

Richard Neutra’s “Bucerius House”

One of the world’s most famous villas, immaculate Bucerius house pairs breath-taking views high above Swiss Lake Maggiore with iconic architecture.

Reachable on a small winding road within 15 min from the lakeshores of Locarno or arty Ascona in Switzerland’s sunny Ticino area, and just 1,5 hour from the international airport of Milano-Malpensa, the painstakingly restored masterpiece keeps attracting a stream of architect students, location-scouts for fashion brands or movie directors. Marvelously restored, it seems an ideal place for everybody and everything related to Modernism and mid-century.

Helmut Horten’s estate “Villalta”

The late German philanthropist and department-story billionaire’s secluded former estate in Switzerland’s sunny Canton of Ticino. Spans over 25 acres of park and woodlands and seems to be designed as a collector’s home: Besides the magnificent villa sits the former family office, a three-floor building with a total of 1’500 sqm divided within 24 guest and office rooms plus a restaurant facility, and a third building offering living quarters for employees. For CHF 11 million and a one hour drive from Milano-Malpensa International airport, this unique ready-to-move-in property is yours.

Christophe Dornier’s “Palazzo Franzoni”

Heir of famous Dornier airplane construction company, late Christophe Dornier was a painter and chose with a practiced artist’s eye wisely when deciding to purchase “Palazzo Franzoni” as his living quarter and atelier. He restored the heritage-protected 17th-century palace to its former splendor, preserving the famous “painted reception room” and adding a large outdoor pool to the formal garden. Its perfectly and quiet position within picturesque Locarno’s historic center makes it unique and very accessible for anybody planning to combine art and life. Five min walking distance from Locarno train station, the turn-key ready property’s asking price is CHF 9 million.