Tourism towards the Island of Elba began to expand and to be promoted since the Forties: Domus founder and director Gio Ponti in particular would develop a tourist plan, published in the August issue of the magazine (Domus 152, August 1940), with Gian Luigi Banfi, Lodovico Barbiano di Belgiojoso, and Enrico Peressutti of BBPR. At the time, according to their surveys, Elba, despite being well connected to the mainland – unlike smaller islands such as Capri – had only 162 beds, a couple of small hotels and very few trattorias, while offering an excellent climate, quality raw materials and beautiful landscapes. Accommodation facilities were the only element missing. As a result of this attention to building, in the late 1950s an English real estate company planned to build holiday homes in Capo Perla, together with a hotel, and a restaurant. However, only two of the ten residences planned by Ponti were finally built in 1961: Villa Allungata (“Lengthened House”) and Villa Ottagonale (“Octagonal House”).

Villa Allungata has a plan developed on a single level and characterized by an elongated shape, in which all the rooms have a view of the sea. Villa Ottagonale develops instead in height, compared to its small lot, recalling the typical fortified architectures of Elba. From both projects the strong geometric nature typical of Ponti’s architecture emerge, affected and lightened by seemingly random openings. This competitive balance is made possible by the meticulous study of the interior and exterior, as well as of the perspectives towards the landscape.

A few minutes walk from the beach of Straccoligno, and 15/30 minutes from Capoliveri and Porto Azzurro, Villa Allungata is located on a plot of more than 5 thousand square meters, surrounded by lemon trees, olive trees and figs. Considered a national monument, the villa has been recently restored in collaboration with the Office of Cultural Heritage of Pisa, with the aim of restoring as faithfully as possible its original state, with white-painted exteriors, traditional wooden shutters, and the interior tiling typical of Tuscan craftsmanship. The villa is also furnished with original antique furniture, re-editions of 1960s pieces, and other design elements. It seems to go back in time while maintaining all the contemporary comforts regarding bathrooms, kitchen, air conditioning and internet access. Villa Ottagonale has also been renovated and, during the works, a large swimming pool has been added.