Press archive · Luxury Immobiliare
Forte dei Marmi and its property renaissance
Fabrizio Zanetti looks at the market’s recovery and the future of international investment.
FORTE DEI MARMI AND THE REAL ESTATE REVIVAL
AN INTERVIEW WITH FABRIZIO ZANETTI, LUXURY VILLA BUILDER AND REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
Good morning, Mr Zanetti. We are entering the spring season and Easter is approaching, the time of year when Forte dei Marmi begins to fill with visitors. How do you see the real estate market for the season ahead?
I am very optimistic. Although last season we recorded a slight decline in property transactions and fewer construction sites got underway because certain planning instruments had not yet been approved, this year there is a sense of recovery in the air. As winter comes to an end, we all feel a strong desire for normality, to meet outdoors again, enjoy the sea and our beaches and, above all, invest once more in property in Forte dei Marmi.
What, specifically, is driving this optimism?
First and foremost, the hoped-for end of the conflict in Ukraine. In addition to easing the concerns that have distressed the whole of Europe, it will lay the foundations for stronger international relations, both with the Russian world and with Ukraine. Ukraine, in particular, will receive substantial reconstruction investment and, consequently, we will see the emergence of a new class of entrepreneurs and investors. Many of them – as has historically already been the case with Russian clients – are looking with great interest at Forte dei Marmi, one of the most sought-after destinations in the Eastern European market.
Do you therefore believe that the influx of new investors could affect local dynamics?
Absolutely. Forte dei Marmi is going through a genuine “phase 2.0”. Rising prices are causing the middle classes to give way to an extremely affluent and international clientele. New investors – Russian, Ukrainian, Swiss and also from other parts of the world – find here an atmosphere of luxury and tranquillity. It is no coincidence that in recent years we have seen a significant increase in investment, with at least ten very high-level hospitality properties being redeveloped. This transformation will become more evident as early as this summer, but even more tangible in the seasons to come.
What effects do you expect on the real estate market and construction?
I expect a strong recovery in the sector, both in transactions and in construction activity. Many projects that had been put on hold because of planning restrictions are now about to begin, and there is a great desire to renew, renovate and build new villas. All this is encouraged by the return of high-end tourism: people often spend their first holidays in luxury hotels, then fall in love with the area and decide to buy a villa and settle here, at least for a few weeks each year. This phenomenon is an extraordinary driving force for the entire local economy.
Tell us about the concept of “villa therapy”, which you mentioned in previous interviews. How does it relate to so-called “neuroarchitecture”?
“Villa therapy” is the idea of creating environments that go beyond the simple concept of a luxury home: places where the harmony of the spaces, the light, the fine materials and the personalisation designed around the client’s needs genuinely contribute to physical and psychological wellbeing. Neuroarchitecture, in fact, studies how the environment affects the mind and emotions. In this sense, designing and building a villa in Forte dei Marmi means creating a refuge of peace and comfort, tailored to our clients. It is not merely a matter of aesthetics, but of functionality that responds to the deeper needs of those who will live there.
Can you give us a preview of the villa you mentioned earlier, which will appear in an important national magazine?
It is a project we have been working on for two years, with the collaboration of the most prestigious architecture practices and the finest Italian craftsmen. We are talking about a property that can be compared to a giga-yacht, both for the exclusivity of its materials and for the obsessive care devoted to every detail. It will be one of the most beautiful residences in Forte dei Marmi, a true example of what can be achieved when one invests in expertise, passion and vision.
What is your role as builders and real estate professionals in such a vibrant context?
Our task is to identify the finest real estate opportunities and transform them into tangible dreams for our clients, who seek privacy, quality of life, high-level services and contact with nature. We are fortunate to work in an area that offers all of this, and our aim is to enhance it to the fullest by creating luxury homes that are also integrated with their surroundings.
Thank you, Zanetti, for sharing your very positive vision of the coming season with us. Do you therefore see a bright future for Forte dei Marmi?
Absolutely. After a long period of uncertainty, I am convinced that this spring and summer will bring even more discerning tourism and a strong revival in construction and real estate activity. The hoped-for geopolitical easing and the widespread need to regain wellbeing and serenity are already encouraging many people to choose Forte dei Marmi as a preferred destination, both for holidays and for significant investments.
Forte dei Marmi is the pearl of Versilia and, now more than ever, a place where investing means investing in beauty, quality and the future.
REAL ESTATE ADVISOR
Via Mazzini, 115
Forte dei Marmi
391 3301873
www.realestateversilia.com