La Gattaiola is a typical Lucchese farmhouse in a prestigious area to the south west of Lucca. Built around a courtyard in the mid-19th century, the property even has a wishing well and was formerly the heart of the village having previously been the village grocers, butchers, post office, olive oil, wine co-operative and bar.

It has spectacular views from all the windows of the towers of Lucca city, the Renaissance villas, the Apuane Alps, the white marble mountains of Carrara and the olive groves and vineyards. It has a large 2000m2 easily-maintained garden where there is a large pizza wood oven and barbeque area, together with vines, olive trees and an orchard.

This 24 room property has been beautifully and elegantly renovated in part and has all the makings of a traditional and comfortable farmhouse. Permission for a 10m x 5m swimming is in the final stage of being obtained. Permissions are also in place to create a further 2 bedroom apartment.

A section of the property is currently successfully operated as a popular, high quality and spacious self-catering holiday rental home and has recently been recommended by the Sunday Times Travel Magazine. The property is linked internally enabling it to be used as one large home or a home plus 2 holiday rental units (1 x 3 bedrooms plus 1 x 2 bedrooms) along with the spacious owner's accommodation with 4 rooms which may be used as bedrooms. Alternatively, it has the potential of being used for maximum rental return as 3 large rental units.

Location
La Gattaiola is located 3km or 5 minute drive from the center of Lucca and Pisa is approximately a 20 minute drive (including Pisa International Airport with low-cost flights). Both Florence and the sandy beaches of the Versilian coast are both within very easy reach. Skiing is possible at the Abetone resort, around 60km to the north.

Services The property benefits from mains gas with gas central heating in the restored parts of the house. Water is on mains supply and the property has electricity and telephone services with Broadband facilities. The property has a new septic tank. The garden is served by water drawn from a well on the property?s land.

Accommodation
At present the 3 floor property consists of the following:

Ground floor
Restored owner's kitchen around 30 m2 with large spacious entrance hall which is currently used as a studio/office and library by the owners. There is also a small cloakroom.

The rest of the ground floor is in the final stages of restoration - due for completion March 2008 and will create a separate yet internally linked large, 2 bedroom self-catering apartment for rental purposes.

First floor
This floor has been completely restored and is currently being rented out as a 3 bedroom self-catering apartment consisting of 2 large double bedrooms, a triple bedroom, spacious bathroom, shower-room with walk-in shower, large sitting room with panoramic picture windows, large kitchen/dining area and a studio.

Third floor
Currently used by the owners, this area is in good condition but has yet to be restored as it requires some modernization. It consists of a large area, intended by the current owners to be used as a second kitchen, a large sitting room with firewood stove and 4 rooms which can be used as double bedrooms plus a bathroom.

The property also has a 30 m2 cantina or cellar.

Some parts of the property are in need of restoration however the property is habitable and ready to use.

Some renovation required.
Specific work required - The property is only partially in need of restoration, whilst the rest is habitable is ready to use.

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