Private Peninsula: A Coastal Hideaway in Sardinia

There’s hidden. There’s secret. There’s exclusive. The Peninsula Estate, on the market with Immobilsarda SRL, the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s in the region, a contemporary home high on Sardinia’s Emerald Coast coastline, is all of these and more. Completely obscured from neighboring roads, resorts, and the ocean below, this is a property utterly in tune with its surroundings, with no detail left to chance.

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Curling 12 miles (19 km) around the northeast edge of the island, blessed with natural beauty and accessibility, Costa Smeralda was established during the 1960s as a fashionable hotspot for the rich and famous. One of the most desired estates in the whole of the Mediterranean, The Peninsula complex was built in the early 1970s. Revolutionary for the area at the time, thanks to its Mid-century Modern good looks, it has been totally redesigned and rebuilt by its present owner over a two-year period, with more than 100 craftspeople involved in the project. The result is a property as radical and forward-thinking as the original.

Clean lines, flat roofs, and open-plan layouts rule, with a neutral decor throughout—providing the ideal canvas for displaying art. Rooms are large and open, with dividers instead of doors offering flexibility. A wall of windows along one side of the main residence allows for undisturbed views of the Mediterranean, and sliding doors lead to patios and portico terraces, enhancing boundary-free indoor–outdoor living.

The owner, who designed and created this home, is a genius. He bought up all the surrounding land to own the peninsula – Julia Bracco

Covering approximately 12,917 square feet (1,200 sq m), the living areas have been shaped to let light flood in and to connect with each other. There are four master suites, five en suite guest bedrooms, a living room, dining  areas, a spa, and family spaces including a home theater in the main two-story building. A further three en suite guest bedrooms with a kitchen and living area can be found in a separate building, along with staff quarters.

“The owner, who designed and created this home, is a genius,” says Julia Bracco, sales director at Immobilsarda Srl, the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in Sardinia. “He bought up all the surrounding land to own the peninsula, a total of four hectares [10 acres]. And every meter is private.”

At One With Nature
As one would expect, an estate of this standing employs prime technology, including automatic climate systems to make the most of the changing seasons, but what elevates this one above properties of similar proportions is the respect given to the natural landscape. “The design works completely in tandem with the environment,” says Bracco. “There are lawns, but there is a sense of the wild about this estate—with every surrounding juniper tree left undisturbed, allowing its scent to permeate, and views of swaying branches from the bedrooms.”

Wind-direction shields protect the terraces skirting the perimeter of the main house; these have balanced light-and-sun exposure and offer the perfect vantage points to view the sunrise and sunset. There is an outdoor swimming pool, a large sun deck offering easy access to the sea, and a number of private avenues leading to three beaches, a dock, and two moorings. For those who prefer a more active regime, a mile-long (1.6 km) private pathway hugs the coastline, allowing for trekking, swimming, and rafting.

Easily Accessible
Privacy is king on this estate, with the home shielded by trees and rises and dips in the landscape. The nearest neighbors are more than a half mile (1 km) away. Yet reaching the resort couldn’t be easier: Olbia Airport, with flights to the mainland and private-plane access, is just 30 minutes away, and the property has its own safe-approach helipad on site. Once at the estate, some of Sardinia’s most desirable locations are nearby. These include Porto Cervo, created by the Aga Khan and still one of the island’s most glamorous resorts, and Pevero Golf Club, designed by American architect Robert Trent Jones. In addition, there is no better place for sailing enthusiasts, with yachts and marinas to admire at every turn.

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But while there is much to see and explore on this island—with its mild climate, pleasant spring and fall seasons, and eight months of sunshine—leaving the estate is the tricky part. As the residence affords every luxury for family life and entertaining visitors, it is a sanctuary for those who want to get away from it all, in a setting like no other.