Located in Cannes, in the heart of Croix des Gardes, the Palais Vénitien stands out as a truly unique palace on the French Riviera. This exceptional property transcends the simple notion of real estate: it is a rare heritage residence, conceived as an architectural work in its own right, combining luxury, history, Venetian architecture, and the art of living.
The history of the Palais Vénitien
Overlooking the Bay of Cannes from the green heights of La Croix des Gardes, the Palais Vénitien is one of the most singular residential creations on the French Riviera. Its history is inseparable from an extraordinary architectural, heritage, and legal undertaking that spanned more than three decades.
In the late 1980s, Saudi businessman Adil Khashoggi envisioned building a residence in Cannes inspired by the great Italian Renaissance palaces. Fascinated by the work of Andrea Palladio, he acquired a vast plot of nearly 27,000 m² overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the Lérins Islands.
The initial project called for a monumental residence with exceptional volumes, incorporating marble colonnades, pools, structured gardens, and prestigious amenities, in the spirit of the grand Venetian palazzi.
Construction officially began in 1988 but was abruptly halted in 1992 following an administrative error related to the permitted floor area ratio. As part of the land was deemed unbuildable, the building permit was challenged, and a municipal decree ordered the immediate suspension of work.
This marked the beginning of a lengthy legal battle between the City of Cannes and the owner. For nearly seven years, the palace stood unfinished—without windows or interior finishes—frozen in the Cannes landscape, its silhouette as intriguing as it was controversial.
In 1999, the administrative court ruled in favor of Adil Khashoggi, determining that the error lay with the permitting authorities. The project was relaunched, but the owner, worn down by years of legal proceedings, gradually withdrew his involvement.
It was ultimately under the impetus of his son, Emad Khashoggi—a real estate developer passionate about classical architecture—that the palace was finally brought to completion. Through his company Cogemad, specializing in the creation and restoration of exceptional residences, the project was fully revived.
The Venetian palace was completed in the late 1990s and finalized in the early 2010s with the addition of a large ecological lake, landscaped gardens, and definitive outdoor amenities.
Unusually for a residence of this scale, the Palais Vénitien remained uninhabited for many years, reinforcing its almost mythical aura. Offered for sale several times without immediately finding a buyer, it gradually established itself as a contemporary architectural landmark—at the crossroads of Italian heritage, French craftsmanship, and the aesthetic ambitions of the late 20th century.
Today, the Palais Vénitien occupies a unique position in the Cannes real estate landscape: that of a timeless edifice, born of an extravagant vision, shaped by history, and completed as a work of art in its own right—closer to a heritage monument than to a conventional private residence.
The presentation of this Venetian palace in Cannes is part of the vision of Magrey & Sons, an agency specializing in luxury real estate. More than a broker, Magrey & Sons offers comprehensive support for exceptional properties, encompassing valuation, architectural preservation, and international positioning.
Today, the palace embodies one of the most accomplished expressions of luxury, Venetian architecture, and the art of living in Cannes, on the legendary French Riviera.
