Florence. The new Palazzo degli Affari is underway
The building covers an area of 4 thousand square meters, arranged over 6 levels with 15 large and comfortable modular and flexible rooms with 100% sustainable materials and the functionality of new generation eco-chic and smart furnishings. The natural light that filters through the large windows (from which you can enjoy a unique and emotional skyline over the main monuments of the city), adds charm to the new spaces that can accommodate up to 1,500 guests.
Among the new assets of the renovation, the use of 46% of the energy produced from renewable sources, the reduction of indoor electromagnetic pollution, the 100% soundproofing of the rooms and the renovation of the rooftop terrace with a new area lounge available to customers.
The inaugural day, introduced and coordinated by the president of Firenze Fiera, Lorenzo Becattini, was attended by the mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella, the president of the Tuscany Region Eugenio Giani, Leonardo Bassilichi, president of the Florence Chamber of Commerce and Luigi Salvadori, president of the CR Firenze Foundation.
In memory of the great architect, the short film by Felice Limosani entitled PIERLUIGI SPADOLINI was screened. A master of the twentieth century who, as Limosani declared – wanted to document the architect’s humanistic commitment, his history, his character, his intuitions and his talent “and, to follow, the contributions of Debora Berti, Vice Rector in search of the University of Florence, Silvia Ricceri, president of the Architects Foundation of Florence, Massimo Ruffilli, professor at the University of Florence, Mariella Zoppi, professor emeritus of the University of Florence and the architect Elio Di Franco.
The inaugural event continued in the afternoon with a welcome drink and a visit to the spaces for all stakeholders in the sector.
“Today is an important day for the city, the Tuscany Region, the economy and for our society – declared Lorenzo Becattini, president of Fiera – which concludes a long journey started by the previous Board of Directors chaired by Leonardo Bassilichi who, grasping a problem, he transformed it into an idea to rethink the entire structure, an idea later brought to completion by the new Board of Directors. We are honored to dedicate this day to the Florentine architect, thanks also to the availability and collaboration of the whole Spadolini family, whose name is closely linked to the history of our company with the design not only of the Palazzo degli Affari in 1974 but also of the Auditorium. the Palazzo dei Congressi and the central pavilion of the Fortezza da Basso which still bears his name today ”.
“Today is a special day – said the mayor Dario Nardella -. The redevelopment of the Palazzo degli Affari is added to the project to relaunch the entire sector of congresses and fairs. The works at the Fortezza are continuing, therefore the great infrastructural project expected. for years, having an integrated and connected center for congresses and fairs is no longer a utopia or a dream, but a reality “.
“It is very nice that the reopening of this building takes place in the name of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the architect Spadolini, an extraordinary personality of the architecture of the twentieth century who left us many works that still represent the contemporaneity of Florence today” – added Eugenio Giani, president of the Tuscany Region. “This is the first stage of a redevelopment process that will lead us to undertake new important investments and works on the Fortress for over 60 million euros and for a vision of tomorrow in which tourism in Florence will not only be art and culture but also fairs, congresses and conferences “.
“The renovation of the Palazzo degli Affari is an example of how you shouldn’t be afraid to change and choose – commented Leonardo Bassilichi – When this project started I was at the top of Firenze Fiera and then, as president of the Chamber of Commerce, together with economic categories we have decided to focus on fairs and congresses to grow the local economy. For this reason the Chamber has invested 48 million on the strengthening of the Fortezza fair and congress center, knowing that there is an international market that looks to Florence – Bassilichi added -, but also knowing that together with these infrastructures the construction sites for the airport, for the high-speed station, for the port of Livorno, for the Tirrenica and for all those works that, together and linked together, they can modernize the region and help our businesses. “
With this important intervention – declares the president of the CR Firenze Foundation Luigi Salvadori – a new important step has been taken towards the complete renewal of the exhibition center which is unique in the world. And a new page is being written on the path for the redesign of Florence which is also very dear to our institution. We are in fact investing energy and resources in this process because it concerns the city that we will leave to future generations. I am thinking of the innovation pole that we have created in the former Cavalli barracks, of the contribution that, together with Banca Intesa, we have made for the restyling project of the stadium and the Campo di Marte district, without forgetting the restoration of the Poggi Rampe complex. and the continuous enhancement of Villa Bardini.