[1] The building is an example of the Liberty style of residential architecture (a variant of Art Nouveau most commonly found in Italy), and was completed in 1907 for the Zanelli family.

[2] Designed by the architect Gottardo Gussoni from Turin,[3] it is close to the Tyrrhenian Sea beach in the Legino district of Savona.

During phases of the Second World War, it was used as a hospital camp; traces of red crosses on the exterior walls are still visible.

An architectural analysis of the building credits the villa's design to both Gottardo Gussoni and Pietro Fenoglio, two of the most noteworthy exponents of the Italian Liberty style.

Additional alterations were made to accommodate increased foot traffic so that the villa could be opened to the public as a hotel and museum.