Description
An apartment with Neo-Moorish decor in Villa El Patio
On the piano nobile of Villa El Patio, built between 1906 and 1908, this historic apartment has been reimagined with a refined contemporary approach. Today, the villa has been converted into a condominium and has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1999, with the 20th Century Heritage label since 2001.
Attributed to Aaron Messiah, a key architect of the Côte d’Azur known for Villa Masséna in Nice and Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, El Patio is firmly rooted in the iconic architectural heritage of the French Riviera.
This apartment spans 213 m² LC, organized around a central patio. The entrance can be accessed either through the common areas or directly from the terrace via the patio, which has a private entrance. Sheltered beneath a zenithal glass roof, the patio hosts a vast living area with a dining room bathed in natural light, opening onto a panoramic terrace with a view of the Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral and its park—an enduring symbol of the Russian diaspora’s presence in Nice during the 19th century.
A spacious family living room, a fully equipped high-end kitchen, and a library lounge with a home cinema and office area complete the reception space. This last room, adorned with wood-paneled walls and set in the former grand vestibule, can serve as a third bedroom in its own right.
The night area is arranged on either side of the patio, featuring a large suite with a bathroom, dressing room, and mezzanine office, as well as a second bedroom with its own bathroom and separate Japanese toilets.
The property also includes a laundry room, a cellar, and an annex garage.
In the heart of the highly sought-after Parc Impérial district in Nice, this apartment enjoys an exceptional location with unobstructed views of the Saint Nicholas Cathedral and its landscaped park. It is close to amenities, high schools, and sports facilities.
The neighborhood is well-served by public transport, and the seafront is within walking distance. Nice train station is just a few minutes away by transport, and the airport is easily accessible via tramway.
El Patio: From Andalusia to the Côte d’Azur
The building’s architecture stands out from the Art Deco structures of the neighborhood, adopting a Neo-Moorish typology that was highly fashionable in the early 20th century. Since the 19th century, Orientalist influences have shaped European artistic and architectural movements. On the Côte d’Azur, this influence materialized in villas and buildings incorporating Moorish-style elements, akin to those seen in the Alhambra in Nice or Villa El Djazaïr in Juan-les-Pins.
The facade, with its crenellations, glazed green tiles, and horseshoe arches, evokes the casbahs and grand palaces of North Africa and Andalusia.
Inside the apartment, these references continue in the layout around the central patio, a space designed to provide shade and coolness. Beyond its functional role, the gebs of the elevated arches—an intricate plasterwork that lends a sense of lightness to the structure—echoes Granada’s architecture, as do the paired columns adorned with colorful miniatures.
A Contemporary Design
Recent interior renovations have seamlessly integrated a centralized air conditioning system throughout the apartment. The units blend discreetly into the decor, concealed behind a painted steel cover crafted by the same supplier who worked with architect Rudy Ricciotti for the Mucem. Similarly, the radiators have been carefully selected to complement the atmosphere of each room.
Adding to the refined aesthetic, five decorative fireplaces enhance the space harmoniously. Each has been restored, with the marble meticulously cleaned, and the copper and brass elements polished to regain their original luster.
The walls feature a curated mix of paint and wallpaper, sourced primarily from the collections of Arte and Armani Casa, including a landscape-patterned wallpaper in the master suite. Finally, the Klein blue accents, along with all the paints in the apartment, come from Ressources, the exclusive licensed supplier of this iconic hue.
Technical Information
Asking price: €1,730,000
Agency fees: Paid by the seller
Property tax (2023): €3,007
Co-ownership: 44 lots
Average annual service charges: €4,200
Heating: Electric
Air conditioning: Integrated throughout the apartment
Energy Performance (DPE): C – Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GES): A
Estimated annual energy costs of the property: between €4,474 and €6,052
Average energy prices indexed as of January 1, 2023 (including subscriptions).
