- Location
Milan - Country
Italy - Year
2021 – 2023 - Client
Impresa Percassi - Project area
Residential - Offered services
Integrated design, Structural engineering - Concept Design
Studio Marco Piva
Studio ASAH
Project description
A new Gran Meliá Hotel recently opened in the center of Milan, thanks to a partnership established between the renowned hospitality brand and Generali Real Estate. The 5-star hotel is the result of the complete restoration of the historic Palazzo Venezia, one of the most recognizable buildings in Piazza Cordusio, just a few meters from Piazza del Duomo. The extensive renovation enhances its monumental architecture and innate elegance to create a modern structure defined by functionality and exclusivity. The complex comprises the historic building located in Piazza Cordusio, designed at the end of the 19th century by architect Luca Beltrami and later built by the insurance company Generali as its Milan headquarters, and the building along Via Mercanti, designed by architect Antonio Cassi Ramelli in 1964.
CEAS was involved in the redevelopment project, handling architectural and structural construction document design and interdisciplinary coordination for the contractor. The project was divided into two main construction phases: Phase 1 for the creation of the Mercanti Store retail space, covering 1900 square meters distributed over 3 levels within the Cassi Ramelli building, and Phase 2 for the development of the Gran Meliá hotel space, primarily within the historic Palazzo Venezia building and from the second floor upward within the Cassi Ramelli building.
Activities included the conservative restoration of the historic facade, seismic retrofitting of the entire existing structure, construction of 84 rooms (including 26 suites, one of which is a 88-square-meter presidential suite), and completion of the Mercanti Store retail space delivered as shell and core. On the ground floor, in addition to the main entrance, a first reception hall and a courtyard space – topped by a striking glass and metal roof – were created, along with two new commercial fronts on Via Mercanti and Via Orefici.
Further amenities include a spa on the basement level, dining facilities and a cocktail bar on the fourth-floor terrace and rooftop on the fifth floor, as well as three meeting rooms equipped for lunches and business events.