The former home of Leonard Cohen and Marianne Ihlen, located on a beautiful Saronic island, is now for sale, drawing significant interest from potential buyers.
It was as if everyone was young, beautiful, and talented, covered in a kind of gold dust. Everyone had special and unique qualities. This was, of course, enhanced by the intense scenery of enchanting Hydra, which took the place of a second homeland in our hearts," said the late Leonard Cohen about the time he lived on the island. It was the 1960s when the great composer, writer, and singer experienced a whirlwind romance with the Norwegian writer and journalist Marianne Ihlen, which is also the subject of the film "So Long, Marianne" that was filmed in Hydra. The legendary couple's home was Adoria House, which the Guardian described in a tribute as "a paradise connected to a great love story." Now, the iconic residence is being offered for sale by Greece Sotheby's International Realty at the request of its current owners.
"Marianne Ihlen first arrived in Hydra in early 1958, when living conditions were primitive and expatriate artists could be counted on the fingers of one hand. She was in a relationship with a young avant-garde Norwegian novelist, Axel Jensen. The couple had a very tumultuous relationship, with the writer determined to reject bourgeois conventions in ways that conveniently coincided with his interest in other women. It was common then in the expatriate community and was not always limited to men. After a long separation, Jensen and Ihlen reunited, married, and had a son, Axel Jr. A few months after the baby was born, Jensen left his wife for another woman. Ihlen felt lost and betrayed, but reluctant to return to her country," say people from Greece Sotheby's International Realty.
When Jensen and Ihlen settled in Hydra, they bought this house, which at that time consisted of only two rooms. Marianne was alone with her baby when Leonard Cohen arrived on the island.
At that time, in the spring of 1960, a handsome, chivalrous Canadian poet joined Hydra's growing artistic community. He had left the gray and dampness of London to work on his first novel. Cohen and Marianne met at the grocery store and became lovers. And so their love story began in the house," describe representatives from Greece Sotheby's International Realty. "When Marianne spent a few days in Athens, Leonard took care of the baby in this house. He later bought his own residence on the island, which today belongs to his son, Adam Cohen. However, Marianne and Leonard lived in Hydra for more than ten years, here, in the magnificent Adoria residence. One understands that in addition to aesthetics, the space carries inspiration and a very special energy," conclude Greece Sotheby's International Realty.
The famed Adoria house is situated within the postcard-perfect scenery of Hydra, offering a blend of authentic island architecture and breathtaking views of the azure Saronic Gulf. The main residence, spanning 308 sq.m., stretches languidly across a 968 sq.m. plot, complete with a private pool and a refreshing veranda.
Stepping inside, an elegant entrance welcomes us, leading to a spacious living room bathed in natural light, a formal dining room, and a fully equipped kitchen. On this level, we also find a comfortable bedroom and a bathroom with a shower. The unique layout of the residence includes a dreamy garden bedroom with a balcony and a private bathroom. The master bedroom is a luxurious retreat with a walk-in closet and a particularly stylish bathroom offering serene views of the pool. An additional small bedroom, which can also serve as a summer kitchen, includes a bathroom with a shower.
With its heated pool making Adoria an ideal recreational retreat for any season, representatives from Greece Sotheby's International Realty recommend "diving into a world of endless summer!", noting that it is one of the most beautiful residences on the entire aristocratic island.