Nice Cimiez: a rare apartment for sale within Villa Surany, a landmark of Nice’s Belle Époque

Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty presents a distinctive triplex apartment for sale within Villa Surany, a remarkable residence completed at the turn of the 20th century on Boulevard de Cimiez. A rare opportunity to live within one of Nice’s architectural landmarks while enjoying a thoroughly contemporary lifestyle.

In Nice, Boulevard de Cimiez retains some of the most evocative architecture of the Belle Époque. Villas, former palace hotels and grand residences still bear witness to an era when the neighbourhood emerged as one of the Riviera’s most desirable addresses for an affluent international clientele.

Among these buildings stands Villa Surany, completed in 1901 under the direction of architect Adam Dettloff. Today divided into apartments, this historic property is home to a beautifully renovated triplex of approximately 58 sq m, now offered for sale by Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty.

Villa Surany, an eclectic architectural landmark in Cimiez

The story of Villa Surany began at the very end of the 19th century. Built between 1899 and 1901 by architect Adam Dettloff for Giuseppe Raffaelli, a Naples-born building contractor, the residence was originally known as Villa Raffaelli.

Its architecture is a striking example of the eclectic tastes that characterised many of Nice’s finest buildings at the turn of the century. Several influences coexist within its design: Orientalist references can notably be seen in the decorative upper frieze of stucco and coloured ceramic, while the loggia and Carrara marble columns introduce a distinctly Italian influence.

Mascarons, stucco cornices and an abundance of decorative detailing further enrich the façades, giving the residence its singular identity and reflecting an era when architects on the Riviera freely combined different styles and cultural references.

The property originally benefited from extensive gardens and was positioned on a terrace, with the lower part of its western side accommodating service areas and staff quarters.

Following two successive changes of ownership, the villa was acquired in 1910 by Hermann Back de Surany, Consul General of Persia. The residence subsequently took the name by which it is still known today: Villa de Surany, or Villa Surany. Its new owner also commissioned alterations to the building, including the addition of another storey.

More than a century after its construction, Villa Surany remains a remarkable testament to a particularly rich period in Nice’s architectural history, when Cimiez became home to villas, hotels and residences of diverse inspiration, designed for an international clientele drawn to the lifestyle of the Riviera.

A contemporary triplex within a historic setting

It is within this heritage setting that the apartment currently presented by Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty is located.

Carefully renovated throughout, the property offers 48 sq m under the French Loi Carrez measurement, and approximately 58 sq m of total living space, arranged over three levels. Its unusual layout creates an atmosphere somewhere between an apartment and a townhouse, while retaining the character of its historic surroundings.

The main level features an inviting living room with an open-plan kitchen and fireplace. The space extends onto a private terrace overlooking the landscaped gardens of the property, creating a peaceful outdoor setting in the heart of Cimiez.

An elegant staircase leads to the upper floor, where a spacious second sitting room is distinguished by an impressive ceiling height and delicate original cornices. Depending on the future owner’s requirements, this room could also be used as an additional bedroom.

The lower level is dedicated to the sleeping accommodation and comprises a bedroom with bespoke fitted storage, together with a bathroom and WC.

A private additional room of approximately 20 sq m completes the property, providing valuable ancillary space that could be used as a laundry room, for storage or for another complementary purpose.

Overlooking the mature gardens of Villa Surany, the terrace provides a particularly appealing extension of the interior and strengthens the connection between the apartment and its historic surroundings.

Cimiez, one of Nice’s most historic and sought-after residential neighbourhoods

The history of Villa Surany is inseparable from that of Cimiez, one of the most emblematic neighbourhoods on the hills above Nice.

Its story long predates the Belle Époque. In Antiquity, the area was home to the Roman city of Cemenelum, remains of which can still be seen today. From the second half of the 19th century onwards, however, the rise of the French Riviera as an international resort destination brought a new period of development that profoundly transformed the neighbourhood.

Drawn by Nice’s mild climate, green surroundings and privileged setting, wealthy European residents and visitors gradually established themselves on the hills above the city. Grand hotels, palace hotels and private villas appeared along its avenues and boulevards, creating an architectural identity that remains one of Cimiez’s defining characteristics.

The neighbourhood retains numerous reminders of this history. Boulevard de Cimiez is lined with former residences and historic buildings, while the Roman arenas and archaeological site, the Musée Matisse, the Monastery of Cimiez and its gardens contribute to the area’s exceptional cultural and architectural heritage.

Yet Cimiez is far from being simply a historic district. It remains one of Nice’s most sought-after residential addresses, valued for its leafy environment, tranquillity, architecture and proximity to the city centre, shops, schools and the main infrastructure of the Nice metropolitan area.

Within the local property market, this heritage gives apartments located in Cimiez’s former villas and historic residences a distinctive appeal. Beyond their location, these properties offer the opportunity to live within buildings directly connected to the history of Nice as an international resort destination, where surviving architectural details contribute to their character and rarity.

Living within Nice’s architectural heritage

It is precisely this meeting of heritage and contemporary living that defines the triplex currently offered for sale within Villa Surany.

On the one hand stands a residence created at the turn of the 20th century, recognisable for its eclectic architecture, rich decorative detailing and blend of Orientalist and Italian influences. On the other is a renovated apartment designed for modern living while retaining features that reflect the history and character of the building.

“What makes this property so distinctive is not only the apartment itself, but also the address and the building that surrounds it. Villa Surany has a strong architectural identity, offering the rare opportunity to experience contemporary living within a piece of Cimiez’s Belle Époque heritage”, says Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty.

With this triplex, Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty brings to the market a property whose appeal extends beyond its interiors and setting to encompass a genuine heritage dimension: the opportunity to live within a residence built more than 120 years ago and closely connected to the architectural history of Cimiez and Nice.

About Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty

Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty advises French and international clients on luxury real estate throughout the French Riviera.

In Nice and across the Côte d’Azur, its teams represent a curated selection of apartments, villas, character properties and exceptional residences, with particular attention paid to location, architecture and heritage.