Renovation of a contemporary luxury villa in Cannes: a 70s estate transformed

Sometimes the most beautiful projects are born from the most improbable situations. This is the case with this estate in the hills above Cannes—a collection of characterless, disharmonious 70s buildings situated on a sloping, semi-wooded plot with exceptional panoramic views of the Mediterranean. The prospective owner hesitated to purchase it, so stark was the contrast between the ugliness of the buildings and the beauty of the site.

It was a hastily created 3D simulation by Berengere Leroy that changed everything. In just a few hours, the property's potential became clear—and the purchase decision was made. What you read here is the story of that transformation: from a soulless, aging complex to a luxurious estate that now hosts photo shoots for the biggest international luxury brands, prestigious vacation rentals, and the most exclusive weddings on the French Riviera.

The context: an exceptional location, buildings to be completely reinvented

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The hills above Cannes offer some of the most breathtaking views on the Riviera: the Bay of Cannes, the Lérins Islands, and the Mediterranean stretching to the horizon. The semi-wooded, sloping terrain presented a naturally generous topography—levels to exploit, perspectives to frame, and a dialogue with the landscape to orchestrate.

The problem was simple: the existing buildings completely betrayed their surroundings. Architecture without identity, volumes without harmony, surroundings without structure. An exceptional site potential was wasted by buildings that could have been located anywhere.

Berengere Leroy's approach: reinvent everything, demolish nothing.

The most obvious—and most expensive—solution would have been complete demolition. Berengere Leroy took the opposite approach: to entirely reinvent the estate's image by working on the architectural envelope, the surrounding grounds, and the interior, without altering the load-bearing structures. This bold decision resulted in a truly luxurious outcome within a controlled timeframe and budget.

The chosen guiding principle: a clean, contemporary style that engages with the Mediterranean vegetation and views, without seeking to dominate them.

External intervention: structuring, framing, enhancing

Architectural ironwork

To give the buildings character while steering them towards a resolutely contemporary style, Berengere Leroy designed and commissioned the creation of wrought ironwork with square motifs for all the railings, balustrades, and fences. These elements, repeated consistently throughout the estate, create a unified architectural vocabulary that erases the disparities of the original buildings and gives the whole a strong and immediately recognizable identity.

Shade sails on steel frames

To enhance the terraces and outdoor living spaces while preserving the views, Berengere Leroy designed custom shade sails for the site , supported by steel triangulations. These light and elegant structures filter the light without blocking it, creating comfortable shaded areas in the height of the Mediterranean summer and adding a sculptural dimension to the outdoor space.

The restructuring of the surrounding areas and traffic flow

The sloping topography of the land was used to create a clear and elegant organization of the exterior circulation. Terraced gardens – typical of Mediterranean architecture – were created to structure the surroundings and seamlessly connect the different levels of the estate.

Decorative spheres made of hewn stone have been placed at strategic points along the walkways, bringing a classical sculptural touch that subtly contrasts with the contemporary ironwork.

The infinity pools and the swimming pool

Water is the central element of this estate. Berengere Leroy designed several sets of infinity pools arranged around the main villa — water mirrors that reflect the sky and vegetation, create a visual continuity with the sea below and bring the essential coolness to Cannes summers.

In the lower part of the grounds, an 18-meter swimming pool and a 6-meter infinity jacuzzi have been created, with a large 350 m² panoramic terrace overlooking it, complete with a pool house and integrated bar. This ensemble forms the summer heart of the estate — an outdoor living space worthy of the finest properties on the French Riviera.

The interior intervention: simplicity, fluidity, noble materials

The interior aesthetic bias

For the interior, Berengere Leroy opted for a clean and fluid style , a deliberate contrast to the ornate character of the original buildings. The aim: to create spaces that disappear, allowing the views to take center stage, where the Mediterranean is the only canvas that matters.

Every choice of materials and furniture was guided by this principle: nothing should compete with the landscape. The interior must be the perfect setting for a perfect view.

White and grey polished concrete floors

The white and grey polished concrete floors create a seamless visual continuity between the different living spaces and echo the exterior terraces inside. Their smooth, reflective surface amplifies the natural light entering through the bay windows, giving the rooms a feeling of spaciousness and lightness.

The omnipresent bay windows

Generous bay windows have been installed in all the main spaces to maximize the openness of the rooms to the views. This architectural decision is central to the project: it transforms each room into a belvedere overlooking the Mediterranean and blurs the boundary between indoors and outdoors, which is the very essence of the Côte d'Azur lifestyle.

Armani furniture

To furnish these minimalist spaces without overwhelming them, Berengere Leroy selected Armani furniture —pieces with contemporary lines and refined materials that harmonize perfectly with the understated flooring and expansive views. Armani furniture, with its carefully considered proportions and neutral colors, never imposes itself; it complements.

Custom-made dressing rooms and partitions

In each bedroom, custom-designed screens by the Berengere Leroy studio were created to manage access to the dressing rooms and bathrooms while maintaining the visual flow of the spaces. These precisely designed architectural elements create plays of transparency and opacity that structure the space without partitioning it.

The dressing rooms were also entirely custom-made, in a contemporary style consistent with the architectural vocabulary of the rest of the house.

Exceptional bathrooms

The bathrooms have been designed as true wellness spaces, with exceptionally designed bathtubs carefully selected for their visual impact as much as for their comfort. Each bathroom is an experience in itself—not a functional space relegated to the background, but a place you want to inhabit.

The result: a high-end luxury estate that generates value

The transformation is total. What was a collection of soulless 70s buildings has become an estate with an immediately recognizable identity — contemporary, elegant, Mediterranean.

Today, this estate is home to:

• The photo and video shoots for the biggest international luxury brands, who are looking for exceptional settings on the French Riviera


• The luxury seasonal rentals at prices perfectly in line with the quality of the spaces created


• The the most exclusive weddings in Cannes — events that demand venues that match their ambition

This result illustrates what Berengere Leroy has been doing for over a decade: creating value through design, transforming underutilized properties into prestigious assets, and delivering interiors that serve the life projects of their owners.

Do you have a similar project on the French Riviera?

Berengere Leroy operates throughout the French Riviera and the Var region for prestigious renovation, interior design and architecture projects: contemporary villas, Provençal country houses, high-end apartments, luxury hotels, rental residences.

Discover our interior design service in Cannes and on the French Riviera and our decorator in Mougins for projects in the hinterland.

For custom furniture projects integrated into a renovation — sofas, headboards, armchairs, footstools — our workshop makes each piece by hand in 30 days.

Explore our custom-made sofas and our Unique Pieces available immediately.

Visit our Berengere Leroy showroom in Cannes or contact our team at +33 (0)4 67 57 11 84 , Monday to Friday from 8 am to 19 pm, to get your project started. Find all our projects and inspiration on Pinterest.

Do you have a villa renovation or decoration project on the French Riviera? Contact our team for an initial consultation. See all our projects on Pinterest.