One-of-a-Kind 1920s Villa on the Italian Riviera by Architect Barry Dierks

This property is on the market with Italy Sotheby’s International Realty. Price is disclosed upon application with the listing agency.

American architect Barry Dierks built his reputation shaping the French Riviera’s most exclusive retreats, designing modernist escapes for royalty, industrialists, and Hollywood icons. But on Italy’s Ligurian coast, one of his rarest works stands apart—a modernist villa as striking as his French icons, yet far more elusive.

Completed in 1929, this waterfront estate in Varazze is a study in balance: clean lines meet classical arches, stark white stucco contrasts with the textured Mediterranean landscape, and architecture dissolves into nature. Carved into a private cliff with direct sea access, three saltwater pools set into the rocks, and a botanical park, the estate is both a retreat and a design statement.

Dierks, whose clientele included Monaco’s Prince Louis II and British aristocracy, had a signature approach—elegant, avant-garde, but deeply connected to its surroundings. Here, his design cues are unmistakable. The courtyard’s rissëu mosaic pays homage to Ligurian tradition, depicting a historic Genoese tower and the city’s coat of arms. The Loggia della Meridiana, a striking open-air arcade, is pure theater—framing the sea in grand Roman-style arches with an uninterrupted view stretching from the Cinque Terre to Capo Noli.

Compared to his more famous French commissions, this Italian villa is a rarer jewel—an architectural moment where modernism met Italian heritage to produce something truly exceptional. The villa spans 8,072 square feet (750 sqm) across multiple levels, offering private salons, suites with sitting rooms, and three guest annexes. At the top, a ‘Captain’s Room’ turret commands a panoramic view of the Ligurian Sea, with sightlines stretching from east to west.

Set on Capo di Mola, 90 minutes from Milan and Turin, and just a short drive from Genoa’s international airport, the estate is both secluded and well-connected. As a protected architectural landmark, it carries historical significance while remaining an ultra-private sanctuary—a rare intersection of heritage and exclusivity.

Dierks-designed properties are already scarce. One on the Italian Riviera? Almost unheard of. For those who understand the weight of provenance, this is a villa that doesn’t just belong to history—it defines it.

All photos belong to the listing agency.