Berlusconi heirs sell Villa Certosa for €350 million to Qatari royal f

Fininvest confirms it has accepted a binding offer from Al Thani dynasty for iconic Sardinian estate.

Villa Certosa, a luxury Sardinian villa that formerly belonged to Italy’s late four-time prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, has sold been sold for €350 million.

The celebrated seafront residence on the Costa Smeralda has been acquired a company linked to the Al Thani dynasty, the royal family that has led the government of Qatar for more than 150 years.

Immobiliare Idra, a company within the Fininvest group, confirmed on Wednesday that it had accepted a binding offer for the sale of the sumptuous property.

Sale

The sale was carried out through Constellation Hotels Holding Ltd SCA, a Luxembourg-based investment vehicle that serves as the real estate arm – in Europe and globally – of the Qatari royal family, and in particular of Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, who served as Qatar’s foreign minister and prime minister from 2007 to 2013.

The Al Thani family already has substantial interests in the area. Previous investments in Gallura include the Costa Smeralda through the Qatar Foundation, and the Mater Olbia Hospital, formerly known as San Raffaele.

Background

The Berlusconi family had originally placed the sprawling 120-hectare villa on the market at €500 million.

Since Silvio Berlusconi’s death three years ago, the names of the Sultan of Brunei, Arab billionaires, and major hotel chains had all circulated as potential buyers.

Overlooking the Gulf of Marinella, Villa Certosa has hosted heads of state and government, Berlusconi’s political allies, business figures and – notoriously – Bunga Bunga parties.

Set within a large park, the estate features seven outdoor swimming pools, a spa, guest villas, cottages, football and golf courses, fairground rides, a helipad, an atomic bunker and even an artificial volcano.

Photo credit: DELBO ANDREA / Shutterstock.com