The historical villas of Monaco represent a significant example of residential architecture.[1] Originally seen as symbols of Belle Epoque luxury, they were once emblematic of the Principality itself. However, by the 1950s they were viewed by Monaco's Consultative Committee on Public Works as a social anachronism.[1] While recent years have seen a renewed appreciation within the Principality for villa architecture,[1] the number of historic villas remaining declines each year. In 1954 the Principality possessed 688 villas;[2] only a small fraction of that number still survive.