Thus wonderful old building was once the grand Hotel de Russie. It was designed by Giuseppe Pardini.
Now the building has 6 apartments. I love the balconies on the front.
Bella Bagni di Lucca
A beautiful village in Tuscany
Thus wonderful old building was once the grand Hotel de Russie. It was designed by Giuseppe Pardini.
Now the building has 6 apartments. I love the balconies on the front.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 
We have the ground floor apartment with the garden beside the church and we love it. Would be nice to see it brought back to it’s former glory and painted. I’m intrigued to learn about the original hotel layout and believe that there might be some drawings at the archives in Lucca. Hope someday to follow this through.
We almost bought the middle one in the front. I love the building. I would love to see it restored as well.
Aside from the dishes, it’s really nice. When was it converted?
I don’t know when it was converted. It was Nazi headquarters during WWII, so sometime after the war.
Hi Debra one of my favorite – feeling rather home sick – 6 weeks and counting sorry you will be gone before we arrive – Wendy SA
I love this building too. I hope I catch up with you next time.
I remember this building, one that has such character! So glad it will be saved and updated. Looking forward to seeing the changes!
I don’t know of any plans to update it in the near future. All apartments are privately owned so all would have to get together to renovate the building.
Coincidence. I have just been dreaming/looking through the property for sale in Ponte a Serraglio and saw the top floor flat for sale. http://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/property-63998933.html
It is a wonderful building and I can see that there are good views from the top floor.
It is a beautiful building. I guess that its occupation by the Nazi forces and also the terrible things that went on inside, as people were tortured there, sealed its fate as a hotel. Also, the Casino closed in the early 50’s, so the obvious thing was to convert it into apartments. I would also love to see it renovated, but it is up to the owners. Perhaps they could get some subsidies as it is a historical building. I think that they should get together and find out. It would be a worthwhile project.
That is a good idea. It is a significant building in the area. There may be some access to help.
I loved walking past this building on my way to piazza. And Mark? and his family are doing a wonderful job with that ground floor garden area. Miss these views!!
This is such an interesting building…the idea of help to restore the outside is a good one. Perhaps access to the roof to allow the satellite dishes to be positioned up there would also enhance the look from the street.
I can understand that people need dishes. At least these are not huge.
We always wondered about the history of this interesting building. Thank you Debra. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to own an apartment there, so near the shops and activities.
It has an interesting history. I have written a couple of posts about it. We almost bought here, but instead bought just around the corner closer to the river. We have a lovely view of the river and the little piazza.