Countdown to Launch
It finally, finally happened.
We received approval to start interior renovations.
We knew it would take some time to get our permits approved, but no one foresaw it taking a whole year. Part of us knew it would take hundreds of documents, signatures, filings, months of daily follow up with local government offices, but I think we also hoped it wouldn’t take any of that.
Our hopes were very quickly dashed. But now it’s done and we are excited to move forward.
Moving forward means officially starting our countdown to launch. This is another complex, massive project but we are riding high on passing the first set of administrative hurdles. And who knows, maybe there won’t be any more! Anything is possible. (Just kidding, there are only three certainties in life: death, taxes, and Italian bureaucracy making life harder).
On Monday, our construction team will begin the demolition work. Fortunately, this project has a really strong base. The villa was in excellent condition when we bought it, and we only need to remove a few interior walls and an extra staircase. Then we will work on replacing HVAC systems and getting all the rough work completed. While all that is going on, we are getting a jump on placing orders for light fixtures, bathroom supplies, custom cabinetry, appliances, furniture, tile, marble and more.
Of course, while we waited for our permits to renovate the interior of the villa, the pool renovation continued on with delivery of the new travertine tiles that will be used to expand the patio around the pool. Last week, they poured the concrete slab that the tiles will be installed on, along with new drains and access hatches. The liner is scheduled to be installed May 4th.
Which means we should have a working pool by the end of May.
The very first project to be completed. It almost doesn’t seem real.
Concrete poured for the new travertine tile
Render of pool
As for the completion of the villa, the construction team’s schedule is targeting completion by the end of the year. We will then furnish and prep the property in Q1 of next year, hire staff, soft open in April and officially open to the public in June.
Here are some renders of what we’re building toward:
Bedrooms are getting new limewashed walls, new custom furniture, lighting, ceiling beam paint, refinished floors and new HVAC and electrical.
Guest bathrooms are being fully renovated with microcement floors and vanities, glass showers, new electrical, lighting, paint and new doors.
We are turning the upstairs conference room / theater into a tavern.
The kitchen is getting a complete makeover with everything new except for the classic Molteni stove.
All of our outdoor spaces are getting freshened up with new outdoor furniture, new gravel driveway and pathways and landscaping improvements.
While our primary business model is renting the property to groups for exclusive use, we will have opportunities to come visit for individuals, couples and families. As the original idea for Borgo Santolina was to be a hotel, we are exploring the various ways we would like to open it for individuals, such as celebration weeks and retreats. In the coming months, we will release more information on these weeks, along with information about how to get on the waiting lists or book directly.
We will be sending out monthly updates spotlighting different parts of the project from now until we launch. We appreciate all the support during this first phase of the project and hope you’re enjoying the journey as much as we are.
And finally, we’d like to do a big shout out to Scott and Alex for being the most adventurous of all our readers - let’s get you and the group back on the schedule!
