Villas, townhouses and apartments across Tuscany - renovated the right way, with the right people..
Authentic renovation of carefully selected properties
Significant improvement and energy-performance upgrades | Property finding with a focus on key locations in and around Cortona, while considering properties in the surrounding area | Extend the project cycle to 18-24 months, from purchase to sale | Luxury villa and apartments for sale to HNW individuals as part of a wider portfolio of properties.
Meet Charles
Charles has over 35 years experience as an Architect in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, specialising in design for luxury residential and hospitality projects as well as masterplanning.
He formed Planet 9 Properties Italy in 2019 as vehicle for Design, Management and Development of real estate projects in central Tuscany, with a focus in and around Cortona. Charles offers not only design expertise but also deep knowledge of the Italian building trades and local planning law, along with a network of artisans who produce work of genuine quality.
Charles graduated in Architecture (with Honors) from Brighton University in the UK, before continuing post graduate studies at the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow University and gained admission to the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1992. In 2019 he obtained a certificate in Real Estate Economics & Finance at the London School of Economics & Political Science, with a 97% pass rate.
He worked in London & Frankfurt for Foster & Partners from 1990-94 and was based in Frankfurt for a year developing the design for the Commerzbank Headquarters, which was then the tallest building in Europe. This was followed by 5 years with MJP Architects working closely with Sir Richard MacCormac, during which time he won design competitions for a masterplan to regenerate Coventry’s post WWII centre, The London Science Museum’s extension for the Wellcome Foundation and the BBC’s renovated and re-built headquarters in Portland Place, London, all of which have been built.
In 2000 he formed Collett & Farmer Architects with Mark Farmer where they specialised in luxury residential for private individuals and developers, whilst also gaining consent for a new administration building in central London, housing the adoption services for the Coram Family, the UK’s oldest children’s charity.
Charles joined Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill in 2008 when he moved to Dubai, which is where he has been based since. In 2019 he delivered 10 hectares of public realm for Expo 2020 in Dubai as well as working on masterplans for new housing in Istanbul and hospitality in Makkah, KSA.
Meet Mark
Mark Farmer has over 30 years of experience as an Architect and has delivered both premium commercial and residential projects in London and the Middle East. He is a natural leader with excellent interpersonal skills and extensive experience managing clients, coordinating consultants, and motivating and managing staff.
Mark also studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow University, where he met Charles, but in fact graduated from Westminster University, London, UK, before completing his Masters in Architecture there and becoming a member of the RIBA in 1992. He also worked at Foster & Partners for a period before joining TP Bennet in London, where he represented Goldman Sachs on client-side design for their Paternoster Square regional headquarters, designed by MJP Architects.
In 2000, Mark started his own Architectural Design firm with Charles at Collett & Farmer Architects, which specialised in high-end luxury residential developments before moving to Dubai in 2008 with Adrian Smith & Gordon Gill Architects.
From first survey
to final detail.
i
Historic Renovation
Full structural and architectural renovation of medieval and Renaissance-period properties - townhouses, palazzi, rural farmhouses. Working within Italian planning frameworks and with the local soprintendenza where required.
ii
Interior Architecture
Kitchen and bathroom design, cabinetry, stone specification, brassware, lighting and joinery. Materials are sourced locally wherever possible - Carrara marble, pietra serena, terracotta, Busatti linens.
iii
Project Management
End-to-end management of the build process, coordinating Italian contractors, artisans and suppliers on your behalf. Suited to overseas buyers who need a trusted presence on the ground throughout.
Trusted Partners
Busatti of Anghiari
Franco Passalacqua
Tosconova, Florence
Nicolazzi Brassware
Local pietra serena masons
Palazzo Morelli, Todi