Project description

The historic headquarters of Generali Group, the Palazzo Venezia complex, has undergone a significant strategic “shell & core” redevelopment. This initiative is part of a broader project to enhance the historic center, transforming Piazza Cordusio from a financial hub into a retail and social gathering place. Consequently, the entire building’s usage has been repurposed: the sections facing Via Mercanti and Via Orefici have been converted from office spaces to retail, while the section facing Piazza Cordusio now serves hospitality purposes, housing a new branch of the Spanish hotel chain Gran Meliá, recently inaugurated.

Mercanti 21 currently hosts the renowned streetwear brand END. The store spans approximately 1,800 square meters across three levels (basement, ground floor, and first floor) and features large display windows and three entrances facing Via Mercanti, Via Orefici, and Piazza Mercanti. The structure centers around a bright, full-height space that serves as the core connecting the three levels of the store. The central atrium, standing 15 meters tall with a glass ceiling, connects the three levels, with four escalators—two descending to the basement and two ascending to the first floor. The three upper floors are part of the Hotel Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá, which was also part of the redevelopment.

CEAS was responsible for interdisciplinary construction document design for the Client Impresa Percassi. It coordinated various consultants and subcontractors involved (window installers, drywall installers, tile setters, decorators, acoustic and energy consultants, fire safety consultants), as well as the system designers (electrical/special and mechanical), maintaining continuous collaboration with the Construction and Artistic Supervision.