The Lion Motif
A custom fireplace with carved lion-head detailing anchors the two-story living room, a motif repeated in medallions on the front and rear façades.
The Story
A villa that feels as though it has always stood here.
The owners set out to build more than a waterfront home; they wanted a lasting family legacy. They found their setting where the approximately 200-foot-wide Dolphin Canal meets a 100-foot-wide side canal, with a south-facing rear exposure and direct sailboat access to the Caloosahatchee River.
Working with architect Bud Lawrence, they designed an Italianate residence drawn from the historic villas of Italy rather than passing trends. The groin-vaulted ceilings on the second floor were painted by the owner himself, by hand and overhead.
For years the home welcomed four generations under one roof, with grand rooms for celebrations and private suites for everyone to retreat to.
