We’ve just seen a townhouse in the classic Marche hill-town of Colmurano that made us think of Italy’s prized Murano glass in that both start as something very modest and with careful work are transformed into something quite special. For that reason we call this value-priced, high upside 2-3 bedroom townhouse with an amazing panoramic roof terrace, Townhouse Murano, the modest townhouse in Colmurano that will become a gem.
Townhouse Murano, today, is a fully habitable, lived-in, 120 sqm, 3-story, brick faced townhouse in the centro storico of Colmurano. With a serious cleanup job and some new paint, you could live there today. With a more ambitious and architecturally-inspired approach Townhouse Murano can transformed into something special – both esthetically AND in terms of a brilliant investment. Townhouse Murano is just waiting to become a well designed, nicely appointed townhouse that sleeps up to 6 people, with an amazing terrace, located in a classic centro storico. In fact, our architect has already drafted plans for Townhouse Murano that with a bit of work and a modest investment do for the townhouse what a skilled Venetian glass blower does for Murano glass!
We’ve mentioned the roof terrace several times. It really is a key characteristic of the property. The views are stupendous…dozens of terra-cotta tiled rooftops leading to full-on views of the Sibillini Mountains. The terrace is nicely sized and enjoys full-day sun. You enter the terrace from a multi-use space that could be a winter solarium, an office or studio, a library or, with a foldout bed, it can give you a third sleeping space, bring the total capacity of Townhouse Murano to 6 people.
Townhouse Murano is located on one of Colmurano’s meandering vias. The outside of the townhouse is lovely old brick. Adjacent houses are well-kept and adorned with flower boxes. Townhouse Murano’s via leads to the main piazza and to one the town’s intimate secondary piazzas, as well as Colmurano’s panoramic “anello,” or ring way, a pedestrian walkway that encircles the town and takes in the views. Everything in Colmurano is a short stroll away. In the centro storico there are shops for everyday needs. There’s a cafe in the piazza and ristorante and pizzeria. The town hosts a small Saturday morning market, too. Also, within a 5-10 minute walk outside the old walls, there are additional shops, a pharmacy, the local school and all types of services.
Colmurano is a terrific town and a great place to invest in a Marche property. It’s a peaceful, classic hill-town that more than occasionally transforms itself into something special. The town is known for its many festas. The biggest attracts over 15,000 people and is called Artestrada, or “art in the streets”. This festa features food, wine, live music, street performers and art exhibits all over town. In October they celebrate the new wine, or Vino Nuovo, with a festival that features lots of wine accompanied by chestnuts roasted over open pits in the piazza. There’s also a chocolate festival in Colmurano.
If that weren’t enough 2 minutes out of the old town you’ll find the Saputi Vineyards, winners of several gold medals at this year’s Berlin Wine Festival. The Fiastra Abbey, a vast nature preserve, is a 7 minute drive from Townhouse Murano. It features walking & cycling trails, vast lawns for sunning and picnicking, a restaurant and a market where the abbey’s resident monks sell their organic produce and meats. A bike/jogging/walking path connects Colmurano with elegant Urbisaglia, an ancient Roman outpost. Provincial capital Macerata, with its university quarter, shops and restaurants, and the open-air summer opera festival at the Sferisterio theater, is 20 minutes from Townhouse Murano. Adriatic beaches are just 30 minutes away. The nearby new ss77 superstrada can whisk you to Umbria in 45 minutes. The Ancona airport is under an hour away.
As you’ve understood by now, Townhouse Murano can be enjoyed either of two ways. There’s the “economy” approach – clean it up, brighten it up, do some light upgrading and enjoy it pretty much as is. And, there’s the “create a gem” approach where you transform Townhouse Murano into something quite special, without having to spend a boatload of money or a boatload of time.
So, for that townhouse in a classic Marche hill-town that will surely transform your life, look no further than the view from the rooftop terrace at Townhouse Murano!
