A concave facade on a tower is not something you see every day. This architectural quirk defines the Palazzo del Banco di Roma. Let’s delve into the history of this iconic Milanese building.
The Palazzo del Banco di Roma, now known as Palazzo Edison, stands proudly in Piazza Tommaso Edison. It is a testament to the architectural style of the Littorio era. Its construction spanned from 1939 to 1940. The grand opening was in 1941. Architect Cesare Scoccimarro from Udine designed it.
Piazza Edison has its own story. It emerged in the late 19th century. Demolition of the ex-state property of the Bocchetto convent made way for it. The area transformed into a business district around Piazza degli Affari. Before the Palazzo del Banco di Roma, Casa Lancia stood here. Architect Manfredini built this Art Nouveau building in 1905. Its shape resembled a spur. Banca Jarach acquired it in 1907. The building met its end in 1939 to make way for the Palazzo.
The Palazzo del Banco di Roma occupies a wedge-shaped plot. This is formed by Piazza Edison and the Bocchetto and Posta streets. This shape posed an architectural challenge. Scoccimarro ingeniously designed a tower with a concave facade facing the square.
The facade has a large vertical window. Above it, a bas-relief depicts the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. The inscription “ANNO 1941” is present. On the sides facing Via Bocchetto and Via della Posta, two high reliefs are present. They depict the Goddess Roma and Saint Ambrose of Cibau.
Until 2013, the Palazzo del Banco di Roma served as Unicredit’s Milan headquarters. In 2016, Hines acquired the Palazzo Edison for 220 million euros. The Palazzo Edison is a masterpiece of Littorian architecture. It now has historical and artistic significance.
Diagnostic work was carried out before the building’s restoration. The aim was to assess the condition of the stone surfaces. Tests determined which parts of the Istrian stone cladding were still attached. Some sections had become detached. Active thermography, endoscopy and tapping tests helped expose the issues. Analyses revealed that the bedding mortar had lost its cohesion. Metal anchors were the only thing holding the slabs in place. Despite this detachment, the cladding was solid. Only a few small portions risked collapse. The building remains a significant example of its era. It reflects Milan’s evolving architectural landscape.