Following an extensive restoration over the past three years, Castle Elvira is a new luxury residence opening
Following an extensive restoration over the past three years, Castle Elvira is a new luxury residence opening close to Lecce in Puglia in Spring 2022. Original 20th-century design details meet eclectic furnishing and modern technology to create the ultimate luxury experience in this design-led property. Set on St Elia Ridge in 37 acres of private parkland, Castle Elvira boasts unrivalled views of the local area, its stunning gardens, citrus grove and olive grove.
Castle Elvira is a new luxury residence opening in Puglia in Spring 2022. Original 20th-century design details meet eclectic furnishing and modern technology to create the ultimate luxury experience in this design-led property.
Steve Riseley acquired Castle Elvira in 2018. With Steve’s background in hospitality and his husband Harvey’s career as an artist and filmmaker, the pair set out to create a design-led property where guests can truly relax and experience ultimate luxury.
Renovation works are fully underway and Castle Elvira is set to open in Spring 2022.
www.castleelvira.com
Instagram: @castle_elvira
The castle will feature four en-suite guest bedrooms with two dedicated private salones, two spacious dining rooms (formal and informal), a bar/piano room, two lounges, a cinema and a business suite. The castle’s spectacular roof terrace guarantees dramatic sunsets. The neighbouring groundskeeper’s cottage offers an additional two charming guest bedrooms, a private garden with a sunken jacuzzi, an outdoor shower and barbeque.
The 37-acre estate boasts large citrus groves, olive groves and an enchanting private park interlaced with ancient pathways. The garden will offer the perfect setting for celebratory occasions from romantic picnics to wedding parties.Castle Elvira was originally built in the late 1800s but was sadly abandoned soon after. The property had been left decaying for almost a century until owner Steve Riseley acquired the property in 2018 and set out to carefully restore the castle and its grounds. The Legend of Castle Elvira* suggests that the castle was built by two adoring parents from Naples for their daughter Elvira’s 17th birthday. Elvira was enchanted by a local castle in Naples, owned by Italian actor and playwright, Eduardo Scarpetta. When Elvira passed away, her parents fled, leaving the castle behind them and it has remained unoccupied ever since.
Riseley has worked closely with architects Filotico & Partner and a team of specialist artisans to carefully restore the Castle. The design remains authentic, maintaining many of the castle’s original features whilst introducing new elements that respect Castle Elvira’s fairytale past. Whilst the castle is now equipped with modern, state of the art technology, these have been hidden behind carefully restored ceramic tile floors and retouched walls. Riseley has hand-picked a mix of antique and modern designer furnishings, custom-made lighting to create a luxurious environment for guests to enjoy. The property will feature many carefully curated artworks, including a selection of new pieces by Riseley’s artist husband Harvey B-Brown’s Adored and Adorned collection.
“Whether a fable or reality, I fell in love with the castle and Elvira’s tragic story. From the moment I saw the property I wanted to breathe life back into the decaying buildings, restoring the glory, filling the park with love and magic and so that the story of little Elvira can live on.” Says owner Steve Riseley.
Also opening in Spring 2022, Castle Elvira’s sister residence Tower Elvira will allow guests to increase occupancy to up to 20 guests. Tower Elvira offers the same castle luxury in four stunning suites, with private gardens or rooftop and a 40m2 heated pool, set amongst olive and citrus groves.
Rates for a double room with breakfast from €349 per night. Rates for Castle and Cottage exclusive hire for 12 guests from €22,500 per week.
Once upon a time, there was a wealthy couple from Naples whose only child, Elvira was the apple of their eye.
Elvira, a dreamy little girl, was enchanted by a beautiful castle near her home.
Her adoring parents built an identical one in Puglia as a gift for her 17th birthday.
Overwhelmed with gratitude and love, Elvira planned a surprise feast to thank her mother and father and handpicked wild mushrooms from the castle’s grounds.
But when her parents returned, their beloved daughter was dead.
She had mistaken poisonous mushrooms for Porcini. Her heartbroken parents fled the castle, never to return.
Over the next century, the abandoned castle was left to decay, but now, we are lovingly restoring her castle to ensure the magic of Elvira’s joyful spirit lives on.
Fact Sheet
- Six Guest Suites (four in castle and two in groundskeeper’s cottage)
- Private lounge rooms for guests
- Kitchen
- Dining Room
- eight-seat basement Cinema
- Piano Room
- Rooftop aperitivo bar
- 37 acres of private parkland and gardens
- 70sqm Swimming Pool
- 10-person Jacuzzi
- 70sqm Ornamental Pond
- Cafe Restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Mobile Cocktail Bar, in converted Italian Piaggio Ape
- Adults only