"Prior to Milan Design Week, Vincent Van Duysen offers a private tour of Palazzo Molteni"
Molteni & C's Palazzo Molteni: A Cultural and Design Hub in Milan's Fashion District
Molteni & C's flagship project, Palazzo Molteni, is located in the heart of Milan's fashion district, Quadrilatero della Moda. The address for this architectural gem is Via Alessandro Manzoni, 9 [1].
Designed by Vincent Van Duysen, known for his minimalist and elegant architectural style, Palazzo Molteni serves as a cultural beacon and a key hub within Milan's prestigious fashion district [1]. The project reflects Molteni & C's commitment to blending historical heritage with contemporary design.
The entrance of Palazzo Molteni leads to a stone staircase that flows into the Grand Salon, a large room with a gridded glass ceiling and historical details [1]. The modern penthouse in the palazzo will be used for parties and cultural events.
In addition to its role as a cultural hub, Palazzo Molteni also houses an on-site art gallery and restaurant, similar to Molteni & C's Shanghai flagship [1]. The layout of the palazzo includes a sequence of domestic spaces like kitchens, libraries, and the modern penthouse.
Molteni & C's strategy is to break out beyond the realm of furniture and invest in physical spaces of hybrid character and offer [2]. This is evident in the Palazzo Molteni project, which is part of Molteni's global expansion. The brand's sales are booming, with a 70% increase in turnover from €320m in 2016 to €520m in 2024 [3].
Upcoming openings include Riyadh, Chengdu, and Mumbai. Molteni plans to open almost two dozen new flagships in 2025, focusing on areas like the Middle East and Asia [4]. This expansion is part of Molteni's strategy to create a 'metropolitan house' that adapts to global cities like Paris, London, New York, etc. [5].
While the Palazzo Molteni project is a significant cultural and architectural initiative, further specific architectural or programmatic details are not detailed in the available excerpts.
For more information, visit molteni.it. It's important to note that Molteni will not participate in the Salone del Mobile in 2025, a first since its founding in 1961 [6].
Sources:
- Molteni & C
- Financial Times
- Wired
- Bloomberg
- Dezeen
- Architectural Digest
The diverse offerings within Palazzo Molteni extend beyond fashion-and-beauty, encompassing home-and-garden, technology, and general-news through its art gallery, restaurant, and planned cultural events in the modern penthouse. Molteni & C's strategic expansion, as seen with upcoming flagships in Riyadh, Chengdu, and Mumbai, aims to create a 'metropolitan house' that aligns with the lifestyles of global cities.
