Alessandro Ponzi – Choosing Monaco for its International Environment
Having been living for more than 13 years in the Principality of Monaco, Alessandro Ponzi, of Italian origin, is an esteemed real estate investor and entrepreneur.
Third-generation real estate investor and developer, Alessandro Ponzi, arrived in Monaco in 2011, seeking an international environment for his two daughters. Previously, the family lived in Boston, USA, and Geneva, Switzerland, before they settled in the Principality.
“We chose Monaco because my ex-wife’s family has been living there for more than 30 years now. I also wanted to live in an international environment that can benefit my children,” – says Alessandro. – “It was an ideal choice, as we could be closer to her family.”
How was the transition period for your daughters?
“It was a success because my daughters were very young; six and eight years old. They were old enough to move and to understand where they were going to live and why they were learning a different language.
They were already in a bilingual school, English and Italian, and when we moved to Monaco, they learnt French within six months.
I believe that children are more capable of adapting, and offering them the opportunity to learn multiple languages is a key to their future success in life.”
The primary reasons for deciding on Monaco were safety and culture, which make this small city-state so special.
“Having lived in many different countries, we truly enjoyed the safety and cultural diversity in Monaco. I believe it was the perfect choice, and we have been embracing the opportunity ever since.”
The Ponzi family has been involved in real estate development since the third generation. It started with Alessandro’s grandfather, who was a steel industry entrepreneur who was producing steel and selling it all over the world. Besides this, his grandfather also had several real estate companies.
“My mother and father also followed the paved path, and they became real estate investors with my grandfather. They invested in and sold properties mainly in Italy.
For me, even if I did a lot of other jobs during my career, this was the inevitable path to follow. One of the main businesses of my family has always been real estate, as it has always been part of our lives.”
13 years ago, when Alessandro decided to relocate to Monaco, he also started to examine the Monégasque real estate market.
The family real estate portfolio in Italy already contained properties related to tourism, as they converted several buildings into hotels and apartments targeting tourists.
“My experience in the tourism sector helped me better understand Monaco and foresee its opportunities.
When we moved to Monaco, I looked at the market and started to invest. It became a success, not only because I come from a real estate background but also because Monaco is a very good market.”
Do you recommend property investment in Monaco?
“I find the real estate market very liquid in the Principality as often you can flip properties without doing any work or renovation. If you buy well, then you can sell well.
However, if you buy very well, then you will be able to make money very quickly.”
Alessandro concentrated all his businesses under one umbrella, the Panorama Group.
“Panorama Group is an idea of building several companies all correlated to each other, coming from, of course, real estate and brokerage, then design, concierge, marketing, and events. It came very naturally to organise events and connect people in our beautiful office.
Actually, it is my philosophy and vision to create a platform that can connect people. This is what is essential in real estate, because if we create a network, then we can also build relationships that can lead to other relationships, which then eventually can result in a deal.”
What is your most memorable moment in Monaco?
“I have two daughters, so I share beautiful moments with them in Monaco, thanks to this beautiful international community.
Professionally, I am proud that I chose Monaco for business, because already after 6 months I realised how powerful this can be, thanks to the opportunity to get connected to established residents, who became friends and clients.”
Are there any events to highlight?
“It is not only because of the Living in Monaco magazine, but I was pleased to participate at the Annual Diplomatic Reception of the Principality of Monaco.
Having been invited to this prestigious event, I had the great opportunity to increase my international network and take advantage of this invitation that Zsolt Szemerszky gave me. I was thrilled to be selected to participate and to contribute to the promotion of Monaco on a global scale.”
What do you think? Will you retire in Monaco or will you go back to Italy to your roots?
“That’s an interesting question. I think I will stay in Monaco as a base because I like small countries and small cities.
I lived in very chaotic big cities before, but now I prefer to live in Monaco because it’s like a village with a small-scale community. For me, it’s like family. I know everyone; everybody knows me, and I feel at home here.
Regarding retirement, I don’t want to work all my life. I’m building my legacy, and then I wish to give everything to my daughters.”
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