Fredrik Eklund is expanding his real estate empire—this time across the Atlantic.
The “Million Dollar Listing New York” and “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” alum announced he has purchased a centuries-old chapel in Tuscany, Italy.
Inside the Plans to Restore the 13th-Century Chapel
Eklund shared the news in a July 26 Instagram post, revealing he and husband Derek Kaplan are preparing to restore the 13th-century property into a dream retreat surrounded by 40 acres of olive trees.
“After years of dreaming and searching… we found it!” he wrote. “A 13th-century chapel ruin perched on a cliff with 40 acres of olive trees, overlooking the golden hills of Montepulciano in Italy. This is the first time I’m sharing this, as we closed on it last year and [are] now deep in planning and permits — a sacred place that’s ours to protect… to love back to life.”
The property features sweeping views, ancient stone structures, and a rustic charm the couple is eager to preserve. Eklund explained that he and Kaplan plan to maintain many of the original materials, including the chapel’s marble and travertine details, while restoring the building to its former “glory.”
The Couple’s ‘Dream House’
In his Instagram update, Eklund gave fans a glimpse of the restoration vision, including plans to repaint the walls in their “same beautiful pink color” and furnish the chapel with historical pieces. He added they’re searching for authentic statues and paintings to enhance the property’s old-world aesthetic.
The couple already owns stunning homes in New York City, California, and Miami. Their New York residence was recently spotlighted in Architectural Digest, offering a glimpse into their signature style and flair for design.
“It’s a big renovation project, but so beautiful,” he said of his latest project. “It will take many years as you can imagine, and we’ll do it slowly, with care and humility. I really want to enjoy the process… building a 13,000 sqft house. Every stone, every beam, every arch deserves respect. And surrounding it we’ll create our dream house.”
The home will include a two-floor layout with a country kitchen, a spacious living room, and a primary bedroom suite upstairs. The outdoor space features a stone fountain, rows of cypress trees, and panoramic Tuscan views.
The Bravo star also expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he’s received from the local community. “Thank you to the incredible local community for welcoming us with such open arms,” he wrote. “To the mayor, the architects, the lawyers, the farmers, the neighbors… I feel deeply grateful to one day call this place home.”
In a 2020 interview with the Wall Street Journal, Eklund opened up about his love for Italy and his desire to one day live in Tuscany. “To me, it is the most beautiful place in the world,” he said. “I feel like I need that beauty right now.”
Related