The new Apple flagship store in Rome is located in the Palazzo Marignoli (1878–1883) on Via del Corso, one of the city’s main thoroughfares. The character and size of the palatial rooms lend the future technology shop a monumental air. Singular elements include an impressive staircase of Carrara marble, vaulted ceilings, a ceiling decorated with frescoes, and paintings of considerable size that have been restored for display in the retail areas.
All of the materials for finishes in the retail spaces were chosen ad hoc by Foster + Partners, striking up a dialogue between the existing building, Italian culture and local materials. The result is a shop with a unique personality that sets it apart from the brand’s other stores. Very strict quality control processes were followed in the selection and production of finishes, such as Carrara marble for the walls and floors, Marmorino plaster on the walls and brass on the windows.
Empty was assigned the task of completely renovating these spaces, which includes all works related to building systems, partition walls, finishes, installation of furnishings, carpentry and restoration of existing elements. The work sites occupied part of the basement, ground, mezzanine and first floors of the palazzo. The intervention even includes a central courtyard where trees will be planted, a hallmark of many Foster + Partners projects.
