Villa La Cassinella Sale Breaks Lake Como Property Record

Lake Como has set a new property record with the sale of Villa La Cassinella, the secluded waterfront estate long regarded as the most exclusive private villa on the lake. The transaction was finalised at the start of 2026 and is believed to have exceeded €90 million, a record for the local residential market, according to La Provincia.

Accessible only by boat and hidden within 30,000 square metres of landscaped gardens near Tremezzina, Villa La Cassinella has long been surrounded by intrigue. Originally restored in the 1920s by the Mantegazza family, it was sold in 2004 for just over €17 million. For years afterwards, rumours linked the property to Richard Branson, speculation the British entrepreneur repeatedly denied — adding further mystique to the villa’s reputation.

The estate later became one of the world’s most exclusive luxury retreats and was ranked by Forbes among the eleven most beautiful holiday villas on the planet. Its global fame was cemented decades earlier through the lens of Slim Aarons, who captured the villa in 1983. Aarons was renowned for documenting the lives of the international elite, famously photographing “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places” — and Villa La Cassinella became one of his most iconic Lake Como images.

The new buyer is reported to be an international entrepreneur active in the ultra-luxury hospitality sector and based in Switzerland. While final administrative steps are still under way, the sale confirms Lake Como’s ascent into the very top tier of global luxury property markets.

Related articles:

Lady Gaga Has Arrived on Lake Como for Filming

Seven Advertising Campaigns Set on Lake Como

Seven Interesting and Quirky Facts About Lake Como

Bollywood Stars Celebrated Wedding at Lake Como

Love at first sight: 10 Best Photos from Lake Como

Versace Unveils Capsule Collection Campaign Shoot at Villa Balbiano