🔹 Hello, Lake Como.
Happy World Lake Day, everyone.
A good reminder that the lake needs looking after - not just photographing.
Perhaps celebrate with a hike or a run outside this weekend. I was at Rifugio Bugone on Bisbino a couple of weeks ago, and I still think they serve the best local food around. Prove me wrong!
P.S. If hiking is not on the agenda, but good food is, we finally visited Wild Villa Experience. It’s a beautiful home restaurant with a lake view where, chances are, it may be just your table and the chef. Very private, quality food, and one of the most relaxing dinners we’ve had in a while. Just make sure to book in advance.
Let’s get into everything else Lake Como.
-Simona
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🔦 Spotlight: Smaller Offices, Record Rents
What's Happening:
New Savills data shows companies renting less office space while paying more for the best buildings. Milan is one of the clearest examples, with record rents and almost no prime offices available.
Facts:
European office demand fell by 6%, but prime rents still increased by an average of 3.7%.
Tech companies are taking more space. Their share of European office demand jumped from 14% to 22%. Banking and finance fell from 21% to 16%.
Milanese companies are choosing smaller offices. The average deal dropped to 765 square metres, 31% smaller than last year. Almost two-thirds of transactions were below 1,000 square metres.
The best Milan offices are almost full. Grade A vacancy is 3.6%, falling to 0.6% in Porta Nuova and 0.8% in the historic centre. Prime rents reached a record €820 per square metre per year — €82,000 for a 100-square-metre office.
Older offices are falling behind. Since 2019, prime rents across Europe have risen by 27%, while secondary office rents increased by only 9%. Savills estimates that the payback period for a major refurbishment has fallen from ten years to five.
Italy attracted €1 billion of office investment, up 11%. However, two properties in Milan and Rome accounted for around half of the total, while the number of transactions actually fell.
What does it mean for us?
The report covers Milan and Rome, but there is a clear lesson for Como area. Businesses want smaller offices with good design, lower running costs and easy transport. Dated spaces are becoming harder to rent, even when they are in good locations.
Current asking rents in Como average around €16 per square metre per month, compared with more than €68 for prime Milan. They are very different products, but the price gap is hard to ignore - especially for small hybrid teams that only need to be in Milan a few days per week.
For local owners, leaving an old office untouched may be the worst option. A good refurbishment could attract better tenants; otherwise, conversion into residential or hospitality may make more sense.
Could Como build a serious market for high-quality small offices, or will its best commercial buildings keep becoming hotels and apartments?
⭐ In Case You Missed It
🗝️ Local Opportunities
🪑 Antique & Vintage Hunting. A family near Varese is clearing storage before moving: vintage furniture, paintings, mirrors, and collectibles available by appointment.
🚗 Micro-Rent Round. Those tiny cars you may have seen at Villa Flori are from a local startup Micro Rent. Their private crowdfunding round is open before the public campaign; the minimum investment is €500, and investors of €20k+ receive one year of car usage plus company shares. If you want to chat with the Co-Founder: [email protected]
✨ Local Life
⚽ Kean Offer. Como 1907 is trying to sign striker Moise Kean from Fiorentina. La Provincia says the final offer is around €40m.
🥕 Toy Alert. Como shared a warning about a carrot-shaped toy containing sand contaminated with tremolite, a form of asbestos.
🥾 Strialonga Open. Strialonga registrations are open: 6.5 km from Cernobbio to Rovenna, with nine food stops and witch festival vibes. Highly recommend.
🏆 Champions Draw. Como 1907’s Champions League draw is out: PSG, Manchester United, RB Leipzig and AEK Athens will play in Como; Barcelona, Real Betis, Feyenoord and Lens away.
🏛️ Business
🇺🇸 US Travel Boom. Halldis by Vita says Lake Como July bookings were up 40%, with average daily rates up 22%. The Americans are still coming.
💊 Global Career. Roberto Gerosa, 26, moved from Lipomo to a strategic procurement role at Roche Diagnostics in Zug. He calls it “brain circulation”, not brain drain.
🏠 Cernobbio Top 10. Two Cernobbio villas made Idealista’s top 10 most expensive homes in Italy. Both are listed at €23m: one on Via Regina, one directly on the lake with a private dock.
👔 Volta Search. Fondazione Alessandro Volta is looking for a new Director General. Three-year contract, applications by 25 September.
✈️ Global Mentions
✈️ Barron’s on Ricci. Kenn Ricci’s Villa d’Este birthday week made it to Barron’s. Sneak peek into the all-stars weekend.
👩🍳 Varese at Passalacqua. ARA profiled Viviana Varese, now overseeing food at Passalacqua. More politics and identity than usual chef fluff.
🕶️ Tremezzo Collab. Italian eyewear brand L.G.R made a Grand Hotel Tremezzo edition of its Asmara II sunglasses. Sold only at the hotel’s Sense of Lake boutique.
📱Trending on Socials
The President of Como 1907 thinks their business is going towards €1Bn valuation
🏠 Real Estate
🏡 Detached House, Blevio ($): €248K · 192m² ·
7 Rooms, 2 bathrooms, private garden. Energy efficiency: G.
View
🏡 3 Room Duplex with Swimming Pool, Blevio ($$) €719K· 180m²
2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, lake views, terrace, communal swimming pool.
🏡 Villa with swimming pool and lake views, Como ($$$) €1.3M· 300m² ·
Recently renovated, energy efficiency: C, garage, communal swimming pool and garden, terrace, 8 rooms.
View
🏢 Businesses for Sale
🥐 Cafe/Bar for transfer, Como historical center. €250K · 80 m² .
Recently renovated, high foot area. With the outdoor terrace. Rent €1350/month.🍽️ Bar for transfer, Cernobbio. €90K · 70 m² · 20 years of business experience, loyal clientele. Rent - €816/month
🐕 Pet Grooming Business for sale, Cadorago. €125K · 92 m² · 15 minutes from Como.
💼 Job Opportunities
📊 CFO for textile and apparel industry (Como province). Gross annual salary between €90,000 and €100,000 + MBO and company car.
🧑💼 Global Business Line Manager: ABB (Tremezzo). Own full P&L. Salary is not indicated.
💻Sales Area Manager: BLM GROUP (Cantu). Technical background; English and Italian languages are needed.
Have a property, business, or job to feature? Submit it here
📅 Events This Week: Aug 28 to Sept 2
Friday, August 28
FASHION NIGHT · ✨ Varenna Fashion Night · from 18:00 · Villa Cipressi, Varenna
LAKE COMO MUSIC FESTIVAL · 🎻 Andaluza: Duo Giussani · 11:00 · Villa Bernasconi, Cernobbio
LAKEFRONT MARKET · 🛍️ Menaggio Evening Street Market · from 17:00 · Menaggio lakeshore promenade
FOOD & INCLUSION · 🍕 PizzAut Dervio · from 18:30 · Boldona Park, Dervio
LAKE COMO MUSIC FESTIVAL · 🎼 Cinema Amore · 18:30 · Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina
DANCE FESTIVAL · 🌿 Posture per Coabitare · from 19:00 · Villa Saporiti + Villa del Grumello, Como
PATRON SAINT FAIR · 🍷 Fiera di Sant’Abbondio · 19:00 to 23:30 · Compendio di Sant’Abbondio, Como
GUITAR FESTIVAL · 🎸 Soulart Ensemble + Saudalgia · 21:00 and 21:30 · Lido of Menaggio
Saturday, August 29
CITY BOOK FAIR · 📚 74th Como Book Fair · opens today · Piazza Cavour, Como
PATRON SAINT FAIR · 🍷 Fiera di Sant’Abbondio · 11:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:30 · Compendio di Sant’Abbondio, Como
DANCE FESTIVAL · 🌿 Posture per Coabitare · from 09:15 · Villa del Grumello, Como
FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL · 🐟 Persicalbar Domaso · from 18:00 · Villa Camilla Park, Domaso
NORTH LAKE FESTIVAL · 🎧 Goes to Colico · 16:00 to 24:00 · Palalegnone, Colico
LOCAL FESTA · 🌙 Moon Party Vercana · from 18:00 · Vercana Sports Field
GUITAR FESTIVAL · 🎸 Risonanze d’Oriente · 18:00 · Piazza Garibaldi, Menaggio
SOCIAL DANCE · 💃 Dancing Under the Stars: Ballroom Night · 20:30 · Piazza Martinelli, Como
GUITAR FESTIVAL · 🎸 Caleidoscopio Musicale + Duo Talismán · 21:00 and 22:00 · Lido of Menaggio
Sunday, August 30
SPORTS · 🎾 Como Lake Challenger · tournament begins · Circolo Tennis Como, Via Cantoni 1, Como
CITY MARKET · 🛍️ Como Creativa Market · 08:30 to 19:00 · Piazza del Tricolore, Como
OPEN-AIR SHOW · 🔥 Prometheus: End-of-Summer Show · 21:00 · Piazza Perretta, Como
PATRON SAINT FAIR · 🍷 Fiera di Sant’Abbondio · 08:00 to 23:30 · Viale Cattaneo + Compendio di Sant’Abbondio, Como
DANCE FESTIVAL · 🌿 Posture per Coabitare · from 09:15 · Villa del Grumello, Como
SPORTS · 🏊 Triathlon di Colico · morning · Colico
WALKING FESTIVAL · 🚶 La Velarca and the Filandone · programme by organiser · Ossuccio, Tremezzina
CITY BOOK FAIR · 📚 74th Como Book Fair · daily programme · Piazza Cavour, Como
ART WORKSHOP · 🎨 Painting en Plein Air · 15:30 · Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina
LAKEFRONT CONCERT · 🎺 Corpo Musicale di Loveno Wind Orchestra · 21:00 · Piazza Garibaldi, Menaggio
TRIBUTE CONCERT · 🎸 Dark Sides: Pink Floyd Tribute · 21:00 · Boldona Park, Dervio
Monday, August 31 (day off in Como)
PATRON SAINT FAIR · 🍷 Fiera di Sant’Abbondio: Closing Day · 11:00 to 15:00 · Compendio di Sant’Abbondio, Como
FREE MUSEUM DAY · 🏛️ Pinacoteca Civica + Tempio Voltiano · for the patron saint holiday · Como
ART EXHIBITION · 🖼️ Liberamente: Final Day · 10:00 to 18:00 · Villa Bernasconi, Cernobbio
HISTORIC PARK · 🌳 Villa del Grumello Historic Park · 09:00 to 17:00 · Villa del Grumello, Como
CITY BOOK FAIR · 📚 74th Como Book Fair · daily programme · Piazza Cavour, Como
SPORTS · 🎾 Como Lake Challenger · tournament day · Circolo Tennis Como, Via Cantoni 1, Como
Tuesday, September 1
CITY BOOK FAIR · 📚 74th Como Book Fair · daily programme · Piazza Cavour, Como
SPORTS · 🎾 Como Lake Challenger · tournament day · Circolo Tennis Como, Via Cantoni 1, Como
SPORTS · 🧘 Como Muoviti Muoviti: Stretching · 18:30 to 19:30 · Parco via Segantini, Como
CHARITY CONCERT · 🎹 Arte Solidale Festival: Il Pomeriggio Schubertiano · 18:30 · Villa Bernasconi, Cernobbio
OPEN-AIR CINEMA · 🎬 Odissea · 21:00 · Area Feste Sant’Abbondio, Como
Wednesday, September 2
CITY BOOK FAIR · 📚 74th Como Book Fair · daily programme · Piazza Cavour, Como
SPORTS · 🎾 Como Lake Challenger · tournament day · Circolo Tennis Como, Via Cantoni 1, Como
SPORTS · 🏃 Como Muoviti Muoviti · 06:00 running; evening dance, pole dance and running · Piazza Cavour / Tempio Voltiano area / Basilica di Sant’Abbondio, Como
OPEN-AIR CINEMA · 🎬 Odissea · 21:00 · Area Feste Sant’Abbondio, Como
That’s all for this week!
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If you found a mistake, have an idea, event, or just want to chat about anything related to Lake Como or business, simply reply to this email.
