The restoration of Villa Maria began with a nomination submitted as part of the national call for proposals "Bellezz@ – Let's Recover Forgotten Cultural Places," promoted by the Italian government between 2016 and 2017. This project combines historical preservation, civic memory, and cultural enhancement.

Villa Maria was long the summer residence of Vittorio Pertusio, a leading figure in the partisan movement and mayor of Genoa from 1951 to 1965. In the 1970s, Pertusio himself decided to sell the property to the Municipality of Quiliano, then led by Mayor Andrea Picasso, so that the prestigious building, constructed in 1875 based on a design by Domenico Queirolo, could continue to serve as a community asset.

The villa extends over two floors, enhanced by a large cellar. An elegant marble spiral staircase leads to the upper floor, where a bright central living room serves as the hub of the private rooms. Outside, an English garden frames the building, filled with magnolias, camellias, roses, palms, and a majestic Lebanese cedar, the true centerpiece of the park.
Over time, Villa Maria has adapted to different functions: from municipal offices to a venue for cultural events, conferences, festivals, and civic celebrations.