Standing at the foot of the Rialto Bridge in Venice since 1228, the Fondaco dei Tedeschi has had many lives: a trading post for German merchants, a customs house in the Napoleonic era, a post office during Mussolini’s regime. It survived two fires and extensive architectural interventions under fascism. Now, following a major renovation by OMA, the Fondaco has opened as a department store.

The extended history of the Fondaco brought it historic “monument status” in 1987—despite its objective “lack of authenticity”, as the press release states, which prohibited major changes by OMA. Instead, the project, which was led by Ippolito Pestellini Laparelli, Rem Koolhaas, Silvia Sandor and Francesco Moncada included a series of discreet interventions with large visual impact, “vertical distribution devices”, as well as new programming.

New entrances have been carved out to accompany the existing ones, while bright red escalators “create a new public route through the building”. Graphic patterns, textures and materials gesture towards historical precedents. A new, glass and steel floor hovers high above the central courtyard. A large wooden terrace has been placed on the roof.

“When we began work on the Fondaco, we had in mind the historical department stores of Europe, places which communicated global trends and tastes, and offered lavish and fun experiences beyond the simple acquisition of goods.” states Laparelli. “We think the new Fondaco will embody and bring forward this tradition in a city indelibly shaped by its mercantile origins.”

Additional images are in the gallery below.

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