Meet the team

Florence Hills, headquartered in the heart of Florence, was founded with a clear vision: to bring new life to Tuscany’s heritage estates, creating sustainable homes of lasting elegance.

Built on decades of engineering and construction expertise, we unite traditional craftsmanship with advanced design, sustainable practices, and digital innovation. From sympathetic restoration and structural design to energy efficiency and modern systems, we ensure heritage architecture thrives well into the future.

For our clients, we deliver exclusive estates designed around their lifestyle and vision, blending Italian heritage with contemporary luxury. With Florence Hills, owning a piece of Tuscan history becomes an invitation to authentically live Italy, now and for generations to come.

Ing. Massimo Lapi

Ceo & Founder

Ing. Massimo Lapi

Ceo & Founder

As CEO and civil engineering professional, Massimo brings both academic distinction and hands-on experience to the restoration of heritage estates and the construction of contemporary residences. He earned an International PhD in Civil Engineering from the Universidad Nova de Lisbon and the University of Florence, where he also served as a visiting lecturer.

A registered professional with the Order of Engineers of the Province of Florence (No. 7118), Massimo is highly regarded for his work in structural design and seismic vulnerability assessments, with a particular passion for safeguarding and enhancing historic buildings. Beyond his technical knowledge, he is deeply involved on site, personally guiding each project to ensure quality, care, and flawless execution.

Ing. Gianluca Balloni

Ceo & Founder

Ing. Gianluca Balloni

Ceo & Founder

As CEO, civil engineer, and experienced project manager, Gianluca brings both technical expertise and strong leadership to every development. A registered professional with the Florence Engineers’ Association (No. 6912), he is highly skilled in structural design and integrated project management, with particular experience in BIM methodologies.

His engineering career began in the industrial sector, where he oversaw the construction and renovation of large-scale steel and reinforced concrete facilities. Guiding projects of this complexity refined his ability to deliver resilient, efficient, and well-coordinated solutions. Today, Gianluca applies this disciplined approach to the restoration of Tuscany’s historic estates, ensuring each project is managed with technical mastery, clear direction, and enduring vision.

Nicola Pagano

Partner & Co-founder

Nicola Pagano

Partner & Co-founder

Nicola has a strong analytic basis, with a scientific high school diploma and studies in Mathematics at the University of Florence. Since joining Pagano Carmine SRL in 2024, he has gained valuable experience in administration, accounting, and on-site operations, developing a well-rounded understanding of the construction process.

Committed to advancing his expertise, Nicola is deepening his knowledge of sustainable building and digital transformation through the Edil Green Tech innovation program. At Florence Hills, he plays a key role in fostering communication and coordination between construction teams and project partners, ensuring smooth and efficient project delivery.

Isobel Pollard

Director of Client Relations

Isobel Pollard

Director of Client Relations

As Director of Client Relations, Isobel draws on an accomplished and diverse career across media, luxury hospitality, and global brand communications. She began her professional journey at The Times in London before going on to manage communications for leading luxury wine brands, experience that sharpened her ability to craft compelling narratives and deliver at the highest international level.

A British professional based in Italy for the past eight years, she combines strategic insight with cultural fluency, excelling in client management and the creation of exceptional experiences. With a BA in Photography from Kingston University and a BSc in Viticulture from the University of Florence, Isobel unites creative vision, technical expertise, and authentic knowledge of Italian life to curate refined client journeys.