Villa Astor: Paradise Restored on the Amalfi Coast

by Right Honorable the Lord Astor of Hever, Curt DiCamillo, Alexandra Campbell

This volume showcases the legendary Italian villa that William Waldorf Astor exquisitely curated as a masterpiece of art, architecture, and design.
 
Dominating the Bay of Naples in the charming town of Sorrento, with spectacular views of Mount Vesuvius, Villa Astor is an Italian landmark with a rich history dating back to the Roman Empire. American businessman, collector, and politician William Waldorf Astor—founder of the legendary Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York—fell in love with Italy during his time as American ambassador in Rome. He purchased the villa that now bears his name and turned it into a paradise of art, beauty, architecture, and exquisite gardens. The eccentric, extravagant, and discerning art lover spent a decade restoring and decorating the house and gardens with an outstanding collection of classical artifacts.
 
After Astor’s death in 1919, the villa changed hands. It was recently acquired by new owners, who have restored the villa and gardens to their former splendor with the talented French decorator Jacques Garcia.
 
This volume traces the splendid history of a legendary house, garden, and art collection and the extraordinary life of one of the world’s most enigmatic tycoons.

280 pages, Hardcover

Published May 30, 2017

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been savouring this beauty of a ( bit heavy) coffee table book! Villa Astor: Paradise Restored on The Amalfi Coast by C. DiCamillo, S. Tise-Isoré, & A. Campbell transported me back to The Amalfi Coast where I was lucky enough to spend four glorious days last summer (2017). The biography of William Waldorf Astor I truly found fascinating. Yes, he was an extremely wealthy man, “the richest man in the world”, traveled extensively, and owned or created unforgettable real estate, but he was a devoted husband, a caring and loving father especially when his wife died shortly after the birth of their fourth child, and very generous to his family and to causes in America, England, and Italy. He was great, but kind man - never arrogant. William Waldorf had a special love for Italy. In 1905 as a widower, he purchased a villa on The Amalfi Coast and renamed it, Villa Sirena. He redesigned it, acquired the surrounding lands, and created a one of a kind botanical garden. This land where W.W. Astor bought his villa has a history that begins with the Romans at the time of Christ. The history is still being made. New unnamed owners have restored W.W.’s villa where his statuary collection for the villa remains. The Eric Sanders’ photography is stunning! Villa Astor celebrates a great but, I feel, humble man with a vision! 5 stars +

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jag köpte boken i en second hand i Höganäs affär för 40kr för att den var så vacker och intressant och varför inte? Jag besökte Amalfikusten när jag var 16 och platserna fångade mitt hjärta! Denna bok innehöll en intressant historia om Astor familjen och deras köp, allt från Villa Astor till Cliveden och Castle Hever. En värd bok att läsa som berättar om en av världens rikaste personer och hans passioner. William Waldorf Astor och hans italienska dröm, villan vid det blåa magiska havet: Villa Astor.