Now, this house in Lefkada is for sale. But in the past there was nothing here. Just an empty plot for sale in Lefakda. Who built it and why?
the owners, their dream, and this house.
This is gloria, the owner speaking to me about their dream:
My husband woke up one day with a silly idea. It all started on a sailing note. We lived in England but loved sailing. After exhausting our own seas, in 1992, we went and sailed on other people's sea. Because we have always loved Greece, we bought a sailing boat here in the Ionian Islands. Finished with the Aegean and the Med and thought we are not getting any younger. We should (finally) settle down.
Gloria
grenville, the other owner, took over and continued:
We realised that through all the place we've been in, Lefkada was the most beautiful one. Somehow Lefkada always brought us back.
Grenville
me - what did you particularly like so much about lefkada?
Tranquility. Peace. Laid back lifestyle. Beauty. Beaches. Evergreen. Friendly locals.
Both, speaking on top of each other
grenville goes on.
We heard of this plot through a friend. Came and stood on it. Said: This is a million dollar sea view!!! Bought it without looking at other plots. We wanted to be close to Nidri and Lefkada Town, and also to the airport in Preveza.
Grenville
i had to ask: how much do you think your plot alone sells on the market for? now in 2024?
The plot alone must be more than 300.000 euros now. Some plots were sold close by with 750.000 euros - 2 plots, smaller than ours.
Grenville
gloria tells me about the family:
Our family loves it here. They grew up here and learned to swim. It was for us a great family house. Now they are all grown up and travelling the world. But it gave them a great insight, an alternative for life in the UK. Our family side from Canada who are used to beautiful sceneries, came here and they couldn't stop saying WOW. They were blown away by the views.
Gloria
lastly i ask... why all the landscaping? you knew what you were getting into right?
Probably it was just us being silly. There is a saying that British are born gardeners. We wanted our own stone terraces, the stone plaka exteriors, our own lemon, pomegranate, orange, tangerine, lime trees. With the olive oils, we just needed to care for them, they were already there. Same as 1 cyprus tree and two oak trees. Expenses... same as the house building. No, we didn't know it would cost that much.
Gloria