When Tilman Fertitta was appointed as the United States Ambassador to Italy, many assumed he would take up residence in Rome’s historic Villa Taverna, the official ambassadorial home. He now resides at Villa Taverna. According to the U.S. Embassy in Rome, he has lived there since July 10, 2025. For several weeks prior, while improvements to the family quarters were completed (paid for by the Ambassador), he temporarily commuted from his yacht rather than stay in a hotel. According to his PR consultant, that commute lasted about 3.5 weeks. With the yacht anchored off the coast of Civitavecchia and helicopter transfers as needed, as noted by Corriere, that short arrangement sparked curiosity in Rome but has since concluded.
Villa Taverna, the ambassador’s residence
For decades, Villa Taverna has served as the residence for American ambassadors to Italy. Located in the heart of Rome and surrounded by lush gardens, the elegant 17th-century villa has long stood as a symbol of quiet diplomacy and deep-rooted ties between the United States and Italy.
Former ambassador David H. Thorne once described his time there as an “honor and privilege… at this magnificent villa.” It is the kind of place steeped in history, where statesmen have hosted heads of state, artists, and intellectuals in a setting that bridges old-world charm and modern diplomacy.
Known for his larger-than-life personality and deep roots in business, entertainment, and hospitality, Fertitta took a brief detour from tradition before moving in. Before July 10, while the family quarters at Villa Taverna were being improved, he commuted from Boardwalk. He has since settled into the residence, and the Embassy says he is excited to live there during his ambassadorship.
Life aboard Boardwalk
Delivered in 2021 by Dutch shipyard Feadship, the 77-meter yacht Boardwalk is a floating expression of Fertitta’s personality and fortune. With an estimated net worth of $11 billion, the Texan billionaire spares no expense when it comes to comfort and flair.
“It’s one of those things I always wanted and I’ll always have. It isn’t cheap, I can tell you that… every time I walk on it, I tell myself, ‘God, I love this boat,’” Fertitta said in a local ABC affiliate profile.
Designed by De Voogt Naval Architects with interiors by Halffman Interiors, Boardwalk boasts a wine cellar, sky lounge, gym, beach club, and a full-sized pool. It can accommodate 14 guests and a crew of 22, and it features a cruising range of over 5,000 nautical miles.
It also carries an Airbus H130 helicopter bearing the registration N252TF, a nod to Fertitta’s initials. During that short period before July 10, the chopper ferried him to meetings in Rome and to ceremonial events in places like Nettuno. Rome airspace is restricted, and flights to Villa Taverna are not permitted.
The name Boardwalk itself is a reference to the Kemah Boardwalk, an amusement complex built by Fertitta along the shores of Galveston Bay in Texas. Like its namesake, the yacht is a world unto itself, fully equipped and meticulously designed to blend leisure with business. For a few weeks before move-in, it served as a comfortable base between trips to Rome.
A diplomatic detour
During that brief window before July 10, the temporary commute required additional coordination between U.S. and Italian security services, including helicopter logistics, yacht surveillance, coastal patrols, and armored transport. Some observers debated the optics, but that setup ended with the Ambassador’s move into Villa Taverna.
Fertitta, the chairman and CEO of Landry’s Inc. and owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, built his empire through calculated risk and bold moves. Now, with the transition complete, he is based at Villa Taverna for the duration of his ambassadorship.
A glimpse of what’s next
Reports suggest that Fertitta isn’t stopping with Boardwalk. A much larger 116-meter yacht is currently under construction at German shipbuilder Lürssen, with delivery expected in 2026. If his current yacht is an expression of ambition, the next one could be a full-blown statement of permanence.
He now lives at Villa Taverna. The brief yacht commute is over, and the focus is back on diplomacy in Rome.
