A private island in Venice’s northern lagoon has been placed on the luxury real estate market, offering prospective buyers a rare combination of historic military architecture, residential amenities and expansive private grounds overlooking Burano and Torcello.
Isola di Crevan spans about 5,700 square meters, or roughly 1.4 acres, and is centered around a 215-square-meter Napoleonic-era fort that has been converted for residential use. The property is being marketed by Lionard Luxury Real Estate and includes an internal canal and two private boat moorings.
Located approximately 7 kilometers from Venice, the island combines proximity to one of Italy’s best-known destinations with the privacy of an independent property surrounded by the Venetian Lagoon.
Historic Fort Forms Centerpiece of Island Property
Crevan’s history stretches back to the Napoleonic period, when the island became part of the defensive infrastructure established to protect the Venetian Lagoon. A military redoubt was constructed there in 1806 and was later enlarged and strengthened during Austrian rule.
In 1866, when the Veneto region became part of the Kingdom of Italy, Crevan followed the political transition while continuing to serve a military function. That role lasted until after World War I. The island subsequently entered private ownership and was adapted for residential use.
An extensive restoration that began in 1996 introduced contemporary amenities while preserving the fort’s original military architecture and its relationship with the surrounding lagoon.
The restored fort covers 215 square meters and contains four principal rooms and two bathrooms. Running water, electricity, heating and air conditioning make the residence suitable for year-round use, an important feature for an island property of this type.
Landscaped Grounds and Private Moorings
Beyond the historic structure, much of Crevan consists of landscaped outdoor space. Mature trees, ornamental plantings, lawns and fruit trees cover the island, while green pathways connect the grounds with the residence and private moorings.
Boat access is an integral part of the property, with two private moorings available. The island is also described as accessible by water or air, providing connectivity to Venice while maintaining a substantial degree of separation and privacy.
The interiors offer flexibility for future modifications. According to information provided with the property, planning regulations allow existing ancillary volumes, including the caretaker’s quarters, to be consolidated. That could expand the island’s residential potential and create opportunities for a larger contemporary home.
Crevan’s name also reflects the history of the surrounding area. The island takes its name from the canal running alongside it. According to an oral tradition passed down on the island, the place name may be linked to a Franciscan friar who contributed to the reconstruction of the nearby monastery of San Francesco del Deserto.
Views Toward Burano and Torcello
From Crevan’s gardens, the landscape opens toward Burano and Torcello, two of the best-known islands in the northern Venetian Lagoon. Despite its secluded setting, Crevan remains only a few kilometers from Venice.
Torcello, just minutes away by boat, is home to the historic Locanda Cipriani, which reopened in June 2026 following an extensive restoration. The property has been associated with Venetian culture and hospitality for decades.
The location adds another dimension to Crevan’s position in the ultra-prime property market, where privacy, historic significance and scarcity can play a major role in attracting wealthy international buyers.
Private-Island Ownership Targets Ultra-Prime Market
Unlike a conventional waterfront residence, Crevan combines ownership of an entire island with a centuries-old military structure, landscaped grounds, private moorings and established utilities.
“In ultra-prime real estate, a private island represents one of the purest expressions of ownership: its boundary is not a wall, but the horizon,” said Dimitri Corti, Founder and CEO of Lionard Luxury Real Estate. “Crevan offers the privilege of withdrawing from the world without ever leaving the universal allure of Venice. What one acquires is not simply a residence and a piece of land, but space, privacy and an entire landscape to preserve”.
The combination of a restored Napoleonic-era fort, residential development potential and proximity to Venice places Isola di Crevan within a highly specialized segment of Europe’s luxury real estate market.
