Castle Elvira, A Luxury Residence Opening In Puglia, Italy this spring
After being abandoned for almost 100 years, Castle Elvira, just outside of Lecce in Puglia, Italy, has been restored following an extensive three-year restoration project. The new luxury residence is set to welcome guests in spring 2022; the castle’s original 20th-century design details have been restored while modern furnishing and technology have been added to this design-led property set on St. Elia Ridge.
The residence will have four en-suite guest bedrooms with two dedicated private salons, two dining rooms (formal and informal), a bar/piano room, two lounges, cinema and business suite. The castle’s roof terrace “guarantees” impressive sunsets. The neighbouring groundskeeper’s cottage offers an additional two charming guest bedrooms, a private garden with sunken jacuzzi, outdoor shower and barbeque.
Guest will be able to enjoy a 70 square meter swimming pool and a 12-person jacuzzi. The onsite cafe will serve breakfast, lunch, aperitivi and dinner made with locally sourced, seasonal produce alongside ingredients grown in the property’s private land. The 37 acre estate boasts large citrus groves, olive groves and an enchanting private park interlaced with ancient pathways. The garden will offer the perfect setting for celebratory occasions from romantic picnics to wedding parties.
Castle Elvira was originally built in the late 1800s but was sadly abandoned soon after. The property had been left decaying for almost a century until owner Steve Riseley acquired the property in 2018 and set out to carefully restore the castle and its grounds. The Legend of Castle Elvira* suggests that the castle was built by two adoring parents from Naples for their daughter Elvira’s 17th birthday. Elvira was enchanted by a local castle in Naples, owned by Italian actor and playwright, Eduardo Scarpetta. When Elvira passed away, her parents fled, leaving the castle behind them and it has remained unoccupied ever since.
The castle has been carefully restored and the design remains authentic, maintaining many of the castle’s original features whilst introducing new elements that respect Castle Elvira’s fairytale past. Whilst the castle is now equipped with modern, state of the art technology, these have been hidden behind carefully restored ceramic tile floors and retouched walls. Each room features a hand-picked a mix of antique and modern designer furnishings, custom-made lighting to create a luxurious environment for guests to enjoy.
Also open in spring 2022, Castle Elvira’s sister residence, Tower Elvira is located in the immediate vicinity of the Castle and offers the same luxury hospitality. Tower Elvira will accommodate up to eight guests in four luxurious suites, with private gardens or rooftop, a 40square meter heated swimming pool, surrounded by olive and citrus groves.
Rates for double room with breakfast from €349 per night. Rates for Castle and Cottage exclusive hire for 12 guests from €22,500 per week.
