IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AUGUST COLLECTIONS
What if you could own five beautiful homes across Europe’s finest destinations, with none of the hassle?
If your idea of a holiday is a private villa rather than a luxury hotel, consider August Collections. Founded in 2018 by Mélie Dunod and Nico Watzenig, their vision was to create a seamless way to own a second home in idyllic locations across Europe including Tuscany, Mallorca, Barcelona, the French Alps and the Côte d’Azur, minus the usual problems. Navigating foreign legal requirements, managing properties from a distance, inevitable language barriers, and escalating costs being just four of the usual headaches for second homeowners.
Dunod and Watzenig also realised that most second homes are underused – typically just 35 days per year – yet require constant management and oversight. “We kept meeting people who had spent years searching for the perfect second home, only to find that a single place could never quite capture everything they were looking for. August was born from that realisation,” explains Dunod.
Mallorca, Premium Collection.
Mallorca, Signature Collection.
Their solution is a curated co-ownership experience; the chance to own a collection of around five exceptional homes – each suited to your budget, lifestyle, family size and travel preferences. Whether you’re drawn to expansive villas, luxurious fincas, cosy cottages, renovated farmhouses or chic apartments, there’s a collection that will align to your tastes and lifestyle. August’s teams have done the often challenging and time-consuming investigative work – finding properties that would rarely reach the open market. In their portfolio, a centuries-old farmhouse tucked into the Tuscan hills, a Belle Époque villa steps from the sea, an alpine chalet that has been in one family for generations. More than that, August’s team has assessed the setting and neighbourhood; this local knowledge is invaluable.
Once a property is found, it is renovated sensitively. Original features are carefully restored, materials are chosen to honour the architecture, and every interior is designed to feel both elegant and liveable. The result is a home with soul, in the kind of place you’d never quite find on your own. Most importantly, August’s trusted model enables owners to experience the lifestyle they dream of – worry-free ownership, plus the flexibility and freedom to move between destinations.
August takes care of everything, especially ongoing maintenance. Prior to arrival, the beds are made, there are fresh towels galore, the garden has been landscaped and the pool is in tip top condition. Homeowners just have to arrive and unpack!
South of France, Premium Collection.
“We didn’t want to be limited to one place or have the hassle of managing a property from abroad – and so we gave up on the idea. Then I heard about August, and it just felt right.” Paul, August homeowner
Paris, Pied À Terre Collection.
Collections range from elegant city apartments in Paris, Rome and Barcelona to countryside villas and alpine chalets across Tuscany, the South of France, Mallorca and the French Alps – each one a different way of experiencing Europe, depending on where life takes you that season.
A typical collection includes around 21 owners across five homes, with each homeowner able to spend eight to twelve weeks a year across the properties. Shares begin at €405,000. For Susan and Daragh, from Howth, Co Dublin, the concept resonated. They had owned a holiday home in the Irish countryside for 15 years, but as their sons grew older, it went largely unused. The idea of committing to another single property abroad felt like repeating the same mistake. They chose the Signature collection and have visited four of the five homes – their favourites are in SOller, Mallorca and Valbonne, in the South of France, while they have used the Chamonix apartment during the ski season. “The style really suits us – it’s modern but not trashy, comfortable but elegant, like a boutique hotel that focuses on home comforts rather than luxury for luxury’s sake. We also love how the design feels rooted in each region so that every home has its own authentic character.” They’ve also hosted friends who have described their home as “breathtaking” – warm, perfectly prepared, and unlike anything a typical holiday rental could offer. As for logistics, booking their weeks away and managing waitlists has been straightforward.
French Alps, Premium Collection.
Paula and Paul, also based in Dublin, had explored buying an apartment in a resort development, but had reservations. “We didn’t want to be limited to one place or have the hassle of managing a property from abroad, so we gave up on the idea. Then I heard about August, and it just felt right,” says Paul. What also appealed to the couple was that their daughter could immerse herself in a different country, and feel truly at home rather than just on holiday.
Only around six collections are launched each year; homeowners are carefully selected to create the right mix within each group. Many prospective homeowners join waitlists for upcoming opportunities. What appeals about August is a way of experiencing Europe that feels effortless and meaningful – returning season after season to beautiful homes in places that grow familiar over time, yet always offer something new to discover.
Tuscany, Signature Collection.
Susan and Daragh have no hesitation in recommending August. “There are so many benefits. It’s a fantastic way to own property without the usual hassles; you never have to worry about calling a plumber or fixing something yourself. And if something does go wrong, like a roof repair, the cost is shared across owners meaning it is stress-free.”
To find out more or register your interest, visit augustcollections.com.
