Roger Bloomingdale and Mirella Bloomingdale has always dreamed of moving to Italy to enjoy the relaxed pace of life there. After searching for two years, they stumbled upon a three-story villa located in Cupra Marittima, Italy and fell in love with it. They decided to purchase the 2,000 square meter property for approximately $216,000.
The villa was described as “moldy” and in a state of disrepair, with birds and lizards inhabiting the interior. Despite the condition, the couple saw potential in restoring the villa to its former glory. They plan to spend an additional $216,000 on renovations to create a ground floor living space, 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and a library.
Roger, a 49-year-old freelance consultant from Amsterdam, Netherlands, expressed that the initial condition of the villa was chaotic with moldy walls and wildlife dwelling inside. However, they were undeterred and viewed it as an opportunity for a new life experience. He mentioned that the restoration process may take three to four years but deemed it as a chance for a fresh start.
Mirella, a 54-year-old freelance consultant, began searching for inspiration online in 2022 and discovered the villa in the Marche region of Italy. The couple was charmed by the exterior of the house and decided to make an offer despite the challenges presented by its state of disarray.
The Bloomingdales bought the abandoned villa, which had been neglected for 25 to 30 years, for €150,000. They also purchased the surrounding land, including outbuildings and a barn, for an additional €50,000.
Since then, the couple has been saving up for the renovation, focusing primarily on repairing the roof, which is the most significant expense. Roger revealed, “The main cost is fixing the roof. We’ve been saving for it.”
Their plan includes renovating the main villa and transforming the barn into a livable space while aiming for it to eventually serve as a pool equipment storage. Beyond structural repairs, they intend to undertake most of the renovation work themselves.
Roger shared details about the layout plans, stating, “The ground floor will be for living. It will include two en-suite bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a library. The top floor will consist of three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a communal sitting room. It’s a huge project.”
Despite hoping to uncover “treasures” in the villa, the couple has had to dispose of most of the accumulated debris. They did salvage some 1950s love letters and wartime magazines, items that provide glimpses into the house’s history.
The villa is envisioned as their retirement home, just a five-minute drive from the beach. The Bloomingdales aim to complete the renovation in three to four years to retire early and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in Italy.
Roger emphasized the allure of Italy lies in the people’s laid-back attitude and love for savoring life’s moments. He highlighted the friendliness and warmth of the Italians, their pride in enjoyment of life, and optimistic outlook free from unnecessary worries.
In Roger’s view, Italy offers a high-quality way of life.