Venice jewel along the Grand Canal asks $12M

Some of the world’s most magnificent real estate lines Venice’s Grand Canal. But only of few of its buildings remain private palazzos, with their own boat slips. Now an even rarer opportunity to own one for $12 million has emerged.

Built in the 1600s for the wealthy Toffettis, the Palazzo Dona is said to have been most recently purchased by actor Johnny Depp following a bidding war with an Arab prince. But despite being widely reported, the investors who purchased the property in 2008 insist that the real estate transaction with Depp was never actually completed, according to the New York Times.

Either way the building had been neglected since the second world war and was in horrible shape.

Today, following a six-year renovation, the palazzo is once again fit for a doge. The home has 7,500 square feet spread over four floors, making it a small rarity on the canal.

The investors have left it as blank slate for the new owner to outfit, but the home could fit seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

There are also a few original details left, including frescoes, old bricks decorated wood beams and a painted ceiling. [NYT] –Christopher Cameron