Single house 16 rooms

Mansion in the heart of Geneva

This building was constructed on a large old domain with its tree-lined driveway in the 17th Century by the mayor Jean-Louis Chouet. Originally it used to contain a house and some farms. The building was first built as a simple lodge surrounded by gardens with a staircase to a terrace with a wrought iron balustrade. In around 1765 the building was heightened and renovated into a mansion with triangular pediment and balcony on the terrace facing the Rhône. The building was considerably enlarged as from 1777 and huge outbuildings were added to the domain in the 19th Century.

Between 2008 and 2009 the property underwent heavy renovation and sanitation work. The entire building was reworked whether from the walls at foundation level or up to the roofing timbers. The roof itself was recently renovated and openings were created to bring light into the attic.

Also during 2008 and 2009 important work was undertaken to modify the layout of the building which had been divided into several apartments by the previous owners. This work was supervised by architects specialised in the restoration of patrician houses in order to respect and return each room to its original function.

The apartments under the roof have been dismantled to create a large studio/workshop. The renovation has involved the creation or updating of bathrooms and redesigning the kitchen. All walls, floors, woodwork, and ceilings have been carefully restored. The single glazed French-style sash windows have been adjusted and fitted with airtight joints. Formerly condemned windows have been reopened and now match the others.

The outdoor features of the property are of a high standard. The woods on the northern part of the plot are regularly maintained. A terraced garden surrounds the main building and is nicely planted. Vineyards have been planted on the lower part of the plot. Finally, the fields are regularly worked by a nearby farmer.

The veranda already appears on old early 20th Century photographs of the building. It is a construction which leans against the wall of the mansion with access from the garden and the workshop on garden ground floor level.

The pool house is a recent 2009 addition. The building is set below the mansion and hidden from the main terrace by the terracing. The pool house is in rough-hewn cedar wood. This small construction is shielded from sun and wind by a plant-covered arbor which provides a relaxing outdoor area. It has an outdoor-facing summer kitchen, shower and toilet.
This building was erected together with the pool and its technical machinery to ensure smooth operation. The magnificent infinity edge pool faces the teak terrace.

The water tower is a massive rough-hewn stone construction which used to provide water under pressure to the main building.