Palazzo Peri - Collesano A vast complex covering 800m2, right in the heart of a historic Sicilian town, Palazzo Peri stands at the very heart of Collesano in the Madonie Natural Park. An eighteenth century building with wonderful history, it would be a wonderfully inspiring project to take on. With over twenty rooms, on three storeys, and an entire deconsecrated church included in the sale, we're not overselling this when we describe it as one of the most remarkable real estate opportunities to have passed across our desk since we first entered the industry A STATELY HOME WITH A BAROQUE FACADE The living space is huge, with sixteen rooms plus kitchens and bathrooms.

Almost all of these are large enough to become a spacious double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. Two at the front of the property have ornately decorated balconies, and those on the top floor have fabulous views over the rooftops of Collesano to the green hills of the surrounding natural park. The marble staircases and tiled floors are still in very good condition for a building of this age.

The plastering will obviously need to be completely redone, and the connections for plumbing and electricity installed as if from scratch. But there are beautiful elements to salvage, like the sturdy antique doors and the built-in pizza oven on the second floor kitchen. THE OLD CHAPEL, COURTYARD AND STOREROOMS The church is a large space, the size of a typical chapel, with a three-storey high roof and a simple layout.

Off this, to the side, is a Sacristy which occupies two floors. To the rear is an L-shaped courtyard which is currently covered in grass, and runs up a slope. It receives sunshine in the middle of the day and could become an attractive little garden. Lastly, on the far side of this courtyard, you will find a complex of seven separate storerooms which are each big enough to hold machinery or large quantities of produce.

AN OPPORTUNITY YOU REALLY DON'T SEE EVERY DAY The chance to restore a building with this kind of history and this much sheer space is a really rare and precious one. It could become a one-of-a-kind luxury villa for an investor who wants to entertain large numbers of guests in truly lavish style.

Alternatively, perhaps its future lies as separate apartments it should be possible to realise at least six or seven, all of good size. As a final possibility, it would be very easy to picture Palazzo Peri as a boutique luxury hotel, with a spa and sun terrace, offering huge characterful rooms in a magical medieval context.

The bells of the old Chiesa Madre of Collesano echo from the fortified tower just across the street, and the cobbled streets of this enchanting old town are as atmospheric as the surrounding mountain- and sea-views are breathtaking.