Bernard Arnault, the world’s richest man, has purchased Leonardo Da Vinci’s residence and vineyard in Milan – The 15th-century townhouse is an architectural jewel and lies in the center of the city.

The world is fixated on Louis Vuitton and everything from the LVMH stable! What does the titan behind the luxury house shop for? The French entrepreneur purchased Casa degli Atellani, a 15th-century landmark on Corso Magenta in Milan. Bernard Arnault’s latest possession was better known as Leonardo Da Vinci’s vineyard and former residence.

How much moolah the chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton had to shell out to get the property from the Conti and Portaluppi families is unknown, but it would be positively colossal. The 1490 residence was laced with as much art and essence of the artist as his revered masterpieces.

(The courtyard.Via Facebook / @La Vigna di Leonardo)

In fact, the property was donated by Ludovico “Il Moro,” Duke of Milan, to Da Vinci in 1498 while he was in town to paint his masterpiece “The Last Supper,” per Corriere Della Sera. The Milan residence then landed in the acquisition of senator and entrepreneur Ettore Conti in 1919, whose son-in-low, revered architect Piero Portaluppi, restored the estate. In 2014, the restored 16-row, two-acre vineyard and the only existing wine-producing estate in the center of a metropolis opened its lush doors to visitors.

(Bernard Arnault.Via Facebook / @LVMH)

Tourists revel in six well-appointed apartments and enjoy private events and cocktail receptions. It looks like an excellent way to celebrate becoming the wealthiest man on the planet, overtaking Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Arnault, the CEO and Chair of LVMH, stole the numero uno position with a staggering $176.6 billion net worth.

... Bernard Arnault Acquires Storied Leonardo Da Vinci’s Residence, Vineyard in Milan

Leonardo Da Vinci’s vineyard and former residence in Milan’s city center has a new luxury mogul owner, one who knows a thing or two about winemaking.

According to press reports, industry titan Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer

of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, has bought a storied building known as Casa Degli Atellani in Milan from its previous owners, the descendants of the Conti and Portaluppi families.

The value of the transaction or the purpose of the acquisition were not disclosed and LVMH representatives did not respond to requests for comment Friday.

Built around 1490, the landmark was donated by Ludovico “Il Moro” Duke of Milan to Da Vinci in 1498 while he was in town to paint his masterpiece “The Last Supper.” After changing hands and ownership over time, the Milan residence located on tony Corso Magenta was acquired in 1919 by senator andentrepreneur Ettore Conti, whose son-in-low, famed architect Piero Portaluppi, was tasked with restoring it.

The 15th-century town house hides a verdant courtyard that is home to Da Vinci’s vineyard, the only existing wine-producing estate in the center of a metropolis. Neglected and destroyed, the 16-row, or around two-acre, vineyard was carefully restored in 2014 and finally unveiled to the public during the 2015 international Expo held in Milan.

Since its reopening, the landmark has welcomed visitors and tourists and boasts six for-rent apartments. It has hosted a number of private events, including fashion shows and presentations, and cocktail receptions.

The news was first reported by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Arnault, whose net worth was estimated at $181.8 billion as of December, according to Forbes, is among the world’s richest men, often competing for the top spot with entrepreneurs including Tesla and Twitter owner Elon Musk and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.

In addition to controlling fashion brands such as Dior, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy, among others, LVMH owns 26 firms in the wines and spirits category, including Ruinart, Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. It also boasts a hospitality division, under the other activities moniker, which includes luxury operators such as Cheval Blanc and Belmond.

Ref: Bernard Arnault, the world’s richest man, has purchased Leonardo Da Vinci’s residence and vineyard in Milan – The 15th-century townhouse is an architectural jewel and lies in the center of the city. (luxurylaunches, yahoo)