Ambitious proposals to create a new luxury hotel in one of Italy’s biggest cities represent “confidence in the strength of Milan and its comeback” after the pandemic, according to the team behind the project.
Currently slated to make its debut in 2023, the eye-catching scheme will be located within Generali Real Estate’s Palazzo Venezia. Upon opening, this will be Meliá Hotels International’s fourth hotel in Milan.
A historic renovation
Meliá and Generali are joining forces to create the new five-star hotel. According to the former, the project will “set a new benchmark for luxury travel, providing the perfect base from which to explore Milan for leisure and business travellers alike”.
The proposed development involves the complete refurbishment and restoration of one of Milan’s most recognisable buildings, the Palazzo Venezia in Piazza Cordusio, just steps away from the iconic Piazza del Duomo. The edifice, designed in the late 19th century by the architect Luca Beltrami and built by the Generali Group as its headquarters in the city, housed Generali’s offices until they moved to the Generali Tower in CityLife. It’s owned by a fund managed by Generali Real Estate SGR.
“Italy is one of the world’s great tourist destinations and it is a privilege for us to offer iconic hotels such as the Gran Meliá in Milan, which bring even greater recognition to our brands,” said Gabriel Escarrer, vice president and CEO of Meliá Hotels International.
“With this important investment, we confirm our confidence in the strength of Milan and its comeback among the most important business and travel destinations after the pandemic crisis,” added Aldo Mazzocco, CEO of Generali Real Estate. “As a long-term investor, we selected a world-class and forward-looking partner such as Meliá, which shares with us Mediterranean roots and style, to both preserve and transform one of our most iconic buildings into a high-end hotel.”
Bringing Meliá’s upper-upscale brand to Milan
The historic building’s transformation into a luxury hotel will see the site’s impressive architecture combined with world-class hospitality. When complete, the revamped building is expected to meet the criteria required for the LEED Gold certification sustainability recognition. It’ll also mark the first time that the building will be accessible to the general public.
In total, the hotel will comprise 70 luxurious guest rooms, along with drinking and dining venues dishing up a range of Italian and international culinary experiences. The property will be topped off with a rooftop bar and terrace offering 360-degree views over the city.
The new Gran Meliá property will join Meliá Milano, ME Milano II Duca and INNSIDE Milano Torre Galfa hotels, all of which are already operating, on Meliá’s books in Milan.
Meliá Hotels International was founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca and is one of the world’s largest resort hotel chains, as well as Spain’s market leader.
