‘Masterpiece’ villa with life-size chess board lists for $30 million in California
A remarkable piece of architecture has graced the real estate market in Calabasas, California. Villa Bellezza, “an Italianate tour-de-force masterpiece” has listed for $29.9 million, Realtor.com reported.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the elaborate almost 16,000-square-foot mansion was inspired by Italy, the home’s owner and designer, St. Tropez self-tanning mogul Robin Gibson, said.
“My architect told me he’d build me a house that would feel like I’m in Italy all the time,” Gibson told The Wall Street Journal. “Hands down, he did that.”
The seven-bedroom, seven-plus bathroom work of art was a collaborative effort between Gibson and “world renowned architect William Hablinski” the listing says, and has some pretty incredible high-end features outside of the Italian dreamscape — such as a retractable glass roof and even a life-size chess board.
There’s also a library, guest suite, resplendent great room, custom mural and walls of glass overlooking the grounds, chef’s kitchen and even a breathtaking grand staircase that “ascends to three suites,” the listing says.
Gibson told The Wall Street Journal she wanted the staircase designed to be “in-your-face.”
She also told the WSJ that while the mansion was supposed to be her “forever home,” she wanted to “downsize and travel some more.”
The listing is held by Chris Lucibello of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.
This story was originally published October 12, 2021 at 3:09 PM with the headline "‘Masterpiece’ villa with life-size chess board lists for $30 million in California."