Palazzo Lungarno is situated on the south side of the river Arno and overlooks on one side, Via de'Bardi and on the other it enjoys a spectacular, if not unique view over the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the cathedral. The original structure of the building dates back to the 15th century, when a myriad of little cobbled roads branched off from the Ponte Vecchio, constituting the Oltrarno, the charming and most typical quarter of the city. The banks of the river were flanked by buildings belonging to patrician families, such as the Bardis, and for this reason their residences were known as palazzi. The edifice was modified over the centuries until in the mid-nineteenth century, an architect called Enrico Poggi, was entrusted with the job of turning Florence into a capital, a role which it maintained for only five years (between 1865 and 1870), following the unification of Italy in 1860. Poggi intended to give the city a look of uniformity and subdued elegance without creating a violent contrast with the renaissance architecture. He therefore chose to maintain the classical renaissance colour palette of cream plaster and grey pietra serena stone, which is visible in so many buildings throughout the city. The Lungarno Torrigiani was included in the plan and it is easy to see how Poggi drew inspiration from the more ancient buildings on the opposite side of the river. The Lungarni together with the viali leading up to the Piazzale Michelangelo were meant to be the place where Florentines would enjoy Sunday afternoon strolls and be able to socialise in the open air.

We have selected some of the finest apartments in Florence with the utmost care, always making sure that they had a reason for excellence, (the heart of elegant historic Florence, celebrated views, heritage buildings). The locations are amongst the most prestigious in the city with some of the most charming views out of the windows. Some of the palaces have fascinating stories to accompany them, like the ones which were studios to famous painters during the Neo-classical and Romantic eras. The apartments are furnished with antiques, but we have taken into consideration all the modern comforts and necessities of our century, essential for a pleasant holiday: air-conditioning, telephone, television, washing-machines, dishwashers etc. Every apartments has elegant furnishings, are decorated with trompe l'oeils, frescos and pictures, are adorned with colours and materials which give them a personal feel and make each one different from the other.