Andrea Bocelli’s Seaside Palace Is an Italian Dream

Juliet Izon

Buying an 8,000-square-foot villa is generally not a purchase to be taken lightly, but for celebrated opera singer Andrea Bocelli, when you know, you know. “I made the decision rather quickly,” he recalls. “For a choice as important as buying your home, I think we have to call on not only our rationality but also our instinct. I sensed that this was the home where I would raise my children, and I bought it.”

Of course, it would be hard not to be instantly enamored of the pale pink manse, known as Villa Alpemare, which is set on an idyllic part of the Tuscan coast known as Versilia. “I really liked its location and the fact that it was an elegant yet unpretentious house—a welcoming home that is large enough for us to live and work in, make music, and host many friends,” Bocelli says. The villa is certainly well equipped for entertaining: From after World War II until the late ‘90s, it was actually a hotel for those who wanted to visit the surrounding area of Forte dei Marmi.

“She has a very sweet character and is an inseparable companion,” says Bocelli of his dog Katarina. The artwork is Gold Door by Marco Nereo Rotelli.
“She has a very sweet character and is an inseparable companion,” says Bocelli of his dog Katarina. The artwork is Gold Door by Marco Nereo Rotelli.

Before purchasing, however, Bocelli did enlist the opinion of one expert, his brother, architect Alberto Bocelli. “I asked my brother for advice, in order to figure out together how feasible and how long it would take to personalize the spaces,” he says. “Alberto knows my needs and those of my family very well.” Bocelli is married to actress Veronica Berti Bocelli and has three children: Amos, Matteo, and Virginia.

The yearlong renovation ultimately divided the home into three separate spaces, which correspond to the three levels of the villa. The first floor includes the living and dining rooms, the second holds offices, Bocelli’s studio, and rooms for receiving guests, and the top floor is bedrooms and other private spaces. There are “truly priceless views, both over the sea and the slopes of the Apuan Alps,” he says of the third floor. Substantial work was also done to the inner workings of the villa, including upgrades to the heating, water, and electrical systems, installing new windows, and redoing all the floors.

“This is one of my favorite places,” Bocelli says of this sun-filled room. “We have organized small press conferences and many interviews here. But sometimes we watch TV here as a family.” The navy couches are antique pieces from Montecarlo.
“This is one of my favorite places,” Bocelli says of this sun-filled room. “We have organized small press conferences and many interviews here. But sometimes we watch TV here as a family.” The navy couches are antique pieces from Montecarlo.

Because Alpemare is Bocelli’s main residence when he’s not touring, it was of utmost importance to create an ambiance that was both comforting and familial. “I am very attached to this house. I feel that it resembles me,” he says. “The problem is that for most of the year, my profession takes me around the world. As I travel so often, the best vacation I can think of is always within the walls of my home, surrounded by the love of my family, and friends who come to visit me.” It is not unusual for a dinner party to conclude with an impromptu concert in the dining room. The family also hosts charity musical evenings in the park surrounding the villa.

There is a musical flow to the interior design as well, with many curvilinear shapes in the furniture. Berti Bocelli spearheaded this; her “choices were essential in selecting the furnishings,” he says. “She gave the rooms a sense of coherence, restoring warmth to the house and taking care of every little detail.” And luckily, the couple shares the same views on design: “We are in perfect agreement; we have the same kind of sensibilities and perception when it comes to beauty,” he adds.

One of the family’s favorite spaces is this airy room, which is anchored by the Giovane Accovacciato photo by Aurelio Amendola (produced by Giannoni & Santoni).
One of the family’s favorite spaces is this airy room, which is anchored by the Giovane Accovacciato photo by Aurelio Amendola (produced by Giannoni & Santoni).

In addition to the Villa, the couple also owns Alpemare Beach Club, which is across the street from their residence. “We tried to create a business that resembles us; a welcoming and safe space for fun and relaxation, where one can enjoy the sea and particularly refined cuisine,” Bocelli says. The history of Forte dei Marmi’s ruling class was a main source of inspiration for the redesign, which was done by Alberto Bocelli and artistic director Alberto Bartalini. The area “boasts a tradition that dates to the end of the nineteenth century, when the patrician villas had direct access to the sea, and the butlers would set up everything required for a refreshing dip in the sea or for an alfresco dinner on the beach,” Andrea Bocelli explains. “We tried to achieve a happy fusion between elegance and practicality, between tradition and innovation. Vacations, art, and nature: Everything was designed and conceived to recreate an atmosphere intertwined with these three elements.”

Running the club is certainly a huge undertaking, and Bocelli was understandably hesitant at first. “It was a gamble, undertaken mainly due to the enthusiasm of my children,” he says. “Frankly, I think that the impact has been very positive [on the town]. It’s brought added value to Versilia.”

Andrea Bocelli’s Seaside Palace Is an Italian Dream

The foyer of Andrea Bocelli's home on Italy’s Tuscan coast overflows with greenery. The rug is an heirloom from Bocelli’s mother’s home, and the chandelier is from “Private Collection” by Anita Majoli.
The foyer of Andrea Bocelli's home on Italy’s Tuscan coast overflows with greenery. The rug is an heirloom from Bocelli’s mother’s home, and the chandelier is from “Private Collection” by Anita Majoli.
The spacious kitchen has cabinetry designed by Claudio Cavallini. “I am an excellent consumer, a ‘foodie,’ but I tend to leave the task of maneuvering in the kitchen to more expert hands,” Bocelli says. “A good opera singer is not necessarily an artist in the kitchen too.”
The spacious kitchen has cabinetry designed by Claudio Cavallini. “I am an excellent consumer, a ‘foodie,’ but I tend to leave the task of maneuvering in the kitchen to more expert hands,” Bocelli says. “A good opera singer is not necessarily an artist in the kitchen too.”
The dining room is often the scene of impromptu concerts. “There is nothing better than spending an evening with my family and close friends, first for dinner and then at the piano, singing, laughing, and joking together,” Bocelli says.
The dining room is often the scene of impromptu concerts. “There is nothing better than spending an evening with my family and close friends, first for dinner and then at the piano, singing, laughing, and joking together,” Bocelli says.
In one of the home’s living rooms, books on art, music, and literature fill the shelves. The brightly colored armchair and ottoman are “Follemente Effimero Opera” by Alberto Bartalini.
In one of the home’s living rooms, books on art, music, and literature fill the shelves. The brightly colored armchair and ottoman are “Follemente Effimero Opera” by Alberto Bartalini.
Many of Bocelli’s award-winning records hang on the wall in one of the family’s cozy living areas.
Many of Bocelli’s award-winning records hang on the wall in one of the family’s cozy living areas.
One of the family’s favorite spaces is this sunlit room, which is anchored by the Giovane Accovacciato photo by Aurelio Amendola (produced by Giannoni & Santoni).
One of the family’s favorite spaces is this sunlit room, which is anchored by the Giovane Accovacciato photo by Aurelio Amendola (produced by Giannoni & Santoni).
“They like to spend as much time as possible close to their owners; it is us who, perhaps, have not been able to train them to stay outside in the garden or in their dog houses,” Bocelli says of his pets. Pictured here is Chopin.
“They like to spend as much time as possible close to their owners; it is us who, perhaps, have not been able to train them to stay outside in the garden or in their dog houses,” Bocelli says of his pets. Pictured here is Chopin.
“The sea is the place where I rest and where I recharge,” Bocelli says. The beach club also serves as a place to hold charity evenings, exhibitions, and private parties.
“The sea is the place where I rest and where I recharge,” Bocelli says. The beach club also serves as a place to hold charity evenings, exhibitions, and private parties.
The lifelike swimmer sculptures are by Carole Feuerman from Bel Air Fine Art Gallery. The cabanas are for guests of the beach club.
The lifelike swimmer sculptures are by Carole Feuerman from Bel Air Fine Art Gallery. The cabanas are for guests of the beach club.
“In the summer, I often take a dip in the pool, or my children organize small outdoor parties with their friends,” Bocelli says. “Sometimes the thing I appreciate more than anything else is the possibility of walking along the lawn of my garden, perhaps going over a piece of music, or simply reflecting on the extraordinary miracle of life.”

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest