Cinzia Romanelli: A Member Spotlight
Cinzia Romanelli, CEO of Building Heritage - Forbes Global Properties
1. Cinzia, please explain to us the history of Building Heritage?
Building Heritage was born in 2021 when we reached Forbes Global Properties after 25 years of hard work in real estate, with the vision of serving in the most complete way the high-end international client who decides to buy his dream home in Italy or, in any case, to make a good investment for them and their families. Building Heritage has the ambition to be the first point of reference for high-end real estate in the Italian market. My long experience in real estate has led me over the years to operate increasingly in the luxury market and this has allowed me to intercept a significant market opportunity, thanks to the increase of investors coming to Italy. Both the number of transactions and their average purchase and sale value have grown significantly in recent years, confirming the growth trend of the luxury segment. All these analyses allowed me to originate Building Heritage. However, the strategic path was articulated and moved in two areas: first, I chose to create a separate business unit totally focused on the luxury market, keeping it separate from my other existing real estate activities devoted to the middle market. In addition, I sought to equip Building Heritage with a strong, attractive and representative brand for the luxury segment in real estate. In this search, I successfully applied to Forbes Global Properties, not yet present in Italy, which positively evaluated my background and granted me an exclusive license.
2. How long have you been involved here in Florence with Forbes?
After 25 years of activity Building Heritage has been chosen by Forbes Global Properties, the real estate division of Forbes as its exclusive member for Italy with a special focus on Tuscany. When it happened 3 years ago of course, made us very proud. When a brand of the value of Forbes gives you an exclusive membership, it means that your work, your professionalism and your skills are recognized at the highest level. Our mission is keep on performing our best and leverage the number our services which are increasing continuously.
3. What has changed over the past years in the property market here in Florence? Give us an update on the picture today?
The real estate industry has been a sleeping giant for years in Florence until recently. A jewel like Tuscany and Florence were discovered only by few Northern Europe clients. In recent times both Asiatic, UK and American people focused on Italy and specially on Tuscany and Florence appreciated for landscape beauty and history. Now prices are keep on increasing month by month and tourisms became made also of investors looking for jewels but also serious interlocutors. That’s why Building Heritage wants to be a benchmark of the sector that, in the past, has considered improvised. We want to give a professional answer to our clients in terms of tax and legal, architects and best agents in the market.
4. For our members who are living here, maybe having first decided to rent and test out the city, what would be your advice for someone thinking about buying a house here in Florence or Tuscany?
Our best advice is surely to contact Building Heritage and have a talk or take a drink with us talking about every topics, not only for real estate but also to have suggestions about lifestyle, taxes, bureaucracy, schools, facilities. So that we can focus on the best bespoke solution. Our expert agents are at completely disposal. In a remarkable evolution of the Italian luxury real estate landscape, Florence is consolidating its position as one of the country's first and most attractive markets for high net worth individuals. As the Italian luxury real estate market continues to evolve, Florence's position as a prime investment destination appears secure. The mix of cultural heritage, quality of life and solid real estate fundamentals makes it an increasingly attractive alternative to traditional prime markets such as Milan and Rome.
5. What sort of additional support do you offer to your clients from abroad who decide to buy a property here in Italy, we all know Italy can be quite terrifying from a point of view of the bureaucracy!
Building Heritage operates as more of a consultancy. In Italy, buying, selling or investing in real estate is an exciting opportunity, but the process can be challenging due to complex bureaucracy. Our mission is to guide investors and buyers through every step, smoothing out any obstacles so they can enjoy a seamless experience. Our team includes legal experts, notaries, senior agents fluent in multiple languages, architects, renovation specialists, movers, decorators, and furnishing experts. Additionally, we have tax specialists to assist clients seeking Italy's flat tax incentives or residency permits. This comprehensive support truly sets us apart from typical real estate agencies.
6. What made you decide to join the House of Nine Members Club?
Despite the friendship among us and our families I recognized at once the beauty and the power of this international project that was missing in Florence. I’m grateful to Max and Ginevra, Barbara and Giorgio for having set up this reality. House of Nine represents quality and excellence and a new vision targeted to the future. If “you don’t do business with strangers”, with the referral of House of Nine, we can feel all the members and the community like friends and hope to give them the service they deserve in investments and real estate in Italy but also worldwide thanks to the global platform of Forbes Global Properties.
Building Heritage
Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, 28, 50123 Florence
