apple's new store in rome by foster + partners occupies a renovated 17th century palazzo

apple has opened a new store in rome, making it the largest of all the 118 apple stores in europe. created in collaboration with foster + partners, the store is housed inside the grand palazzo marignoli on via del corso and boasts a restoration project that pays homage to the italian capital’s rich history of art marking it as one of apple’s most significant restoration projects.

images by apple

built in 1873 by renowned architect salvatore bianchi and following a second renovation by giulio podesti, rome’s palazzo marignoli used to be the home of marquis filippo marignoli and hosted the caffè aragno, one of the city’s most notable places, frequented in its day by artist, writers, and actors. to highlight its creative history, several original pieces of the caffè aragno have been restored and incorporated within the new store design. pieces include multiple graffiti panels created by italian painter afro basaldella in 1950; fabio cipolla’s dawn; and ettore ballerini’s dusk — two large ceiling paintings that date back to the 1900s.

the apple store in rome features large glass windows that face via del corso, allowing natural light to fill the interiors. the design is centered around a lush courtyard decorated with native camphora trees. on the first floor, four sets of doors provide access to an exterior landscaped terrace filled with jasmine vines and olive trees inspired by roman roof terraces that look into the courtyard.once inside, visitors will encounter with an original detailing of locally sourced carrara marble, including the massive staircase dating back to 1888.

on the upper floor, visitors will find the forum which occupies the ballroom of the marquis’s palazzo, hosting the today at apple sessions. next t to the forum is a dedicated space for apple support and the genius bar, where a team of conservators have worked thousands of hours to restore the exquisite, geometrically patterned, hand-painted ceiling.

‘we can’t wait to begin a new chapter in rome with the opening of apple via del corso,’ said deirdre o’brien, apple’s senior vice president of retail + people. ‘the new store represents a celebration of the unique history and art of roman culture, and we hope to inspire creativity among the local community with our made in rome program and future today at apple sessions.’

project info:

name: apple store rome

location: via del corso, rome

designed in partnership with: foster + partners