Foster + Partners architects restored Palazzo Marignoli in the center of Rome and opened a new Apple store there.

Ekaterina Karpukhina

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The new Apple Via del Corso has become the largest Apple store in Europe and occupied the space of a historic building. In the XVI century there was a monastery and a church, and between 1873 and 1878 the Palazzo Marignoli was built, which served as a home for the Marquis Filippo Marignoli. Later, the Aragno cafe opened here, where famous artists, writers and actors often gathered.

Foster + Partners wanted to emphasize the grandeur of the architecture and remind the visitors of the store about the rich history of the place. The L-shaped building is organized around a large courtyard, which is now open to everyone. Camphor trees, which previously belonged to the monastery of the XVI century, still stand in front of it.

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The palazzo has preserved the works of the Italian artist Afro Basaldella, left over from the time of the cafe. Their architects have carefully restored and entered into the interior of the store. In addition, the large ceiling paintings of the early 1900s, made by Fabio Cipolla and Ettore Ballerini, were restored.

“It was a complex building, and we discovered something in the process,” says Foster + Partners partner Luis Matania. ”It was an ever—changing design process that adapted as we found new things, new paintings and new aspects of architecture.”

Throughout the interior of Apple Via del Corso, the bureau used white marble, which covered the floors and framed large windows and openings. In the western part of the building, the architects restored the grand staircase, which was also faced with locally produced Carrara marble.

The palazzo has three retail spaces, a bar, as well as a public space in the ballroom, which will now be used for events.

Photo: Apple

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