Project

The project involves the restoration of the Monastero dell’Apparizione [Monastery of the Apparition], a building of great historical significance for the island and for Venice itself. Built around the Sanctuary that gives it its name - still today a pilgrimage destination - the estate has always stood out for its architectural quality and for the central role it played in life on the Island. Such aspects are related to its fascinating location; it overlooks both the sea and the lagoon and is the only building on the island that extends over its entire width. This narrow strip of land, stretching between the sea and the lagoon, is a special place and well represents the uniqueness of this Venetian island.

Built in 1716 by the renowned architect Andrea Tiralli, the estate had always been an important social, cultural and historical landmark for Venice and over time it has continued to serve as a gathering point and to provide services to the population of the lagoon. Once its first “monastic mission” ended, and considering the area’s salubriousness, the estate was transformed into a hotel specialising in thalassotherapy treatments for tuberculosis. Later, when this terrible disease was eradicated, the building was used as a boarding school, equipped with specialised laboratories in order to introduce young local people to craft activities. Requisitioned during World War II, the building was also used as a military command structure.

After 1930, a wing that lies perpendicular to the sea was added to the building, and in order to preserve and protect this prestigious estate, the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism placed the most severe restrictions on the property as concerns its use and in terms of its conservative restoration. The new restoration project has been assigned to the renowned Venetian architect Alessandro Scarpa who, after years of studies, researches, and meetings, in close collaboration with architects from the Soprintendenza delle Belle Arti e del Paesaggio [Italian Fine Arts and Landscape Superintendency], was able to obtain this difficult authorisation from all the supervisory and protection agencies for the purpose of developing the property into prestigious luxury homes. Due to intelligent design choices it was possible to reconcile restoration and the enhancement of historical features with usability of the property. Although complying with the numerous restrictions imposed by Ministerial constraints, 35 residential units will be obtained by recovering sections of the spacious corridors, which feature vaulted ceilings and porthole-style windows. Although there are plans for two external glazed facades, it will be possible to emphasise and harmonise the building’s two different eras of construction (1700 and 1900), as well as restore vision and integrity to the original ancient facade. With this restoration project, the characteristic features of the Estate will be recovered and enhanced, in particular, the internal garden with its ancient Venetian Well.

The Estate is situated on a vast uncovered area directly overlooking both the Venetian Lagoon, where it is possible to moor private crafts, and also the sea, where there is access to a large, almost exclusive, private beach. This is the ideal location to enjoy moments of absolute peace and relaxation. Connected by Bus/Ferry boat to the centre of Venice and to the Lido, and easy to reach even from Chioggia, the island of Pellestrina, with its 4,000 inhabitants, has managed to maintain over time the ancient characteristics of a Fishing Village. Everything here is slow, relaxing - even the passage of time.

An oasis of peace, where life can be lived in a seemingly never-changing natural environment and in a historical luxury estate, where services are already in place for a community with ancient traditions, just a few steps from Venice with its vivacious international atmosphere and a cultural environment offering an overflowing calendar of events. Different in dimension and in architectural detail, the 35 apartments will be built with fine quality materials and using construction techniques, fully consistent with the excellence of the property.