by Redazione 29/10/2026
Categories: News / Disclaimer
The transformation of the former Florentine factory into a contemporary district dedicated to work, culture, education, and social life continues. Among the most significant new features of the regeneration project is the new Polimoda Library, which is set to become one of the world’s leading fashion libraries.
From a former industrial complex to a new hub of creativity, culture, and urban economy: Manifattura Tabacchi continues to transform and is preparing to welcome new spaces and functions. In Florence, the regeneration project for the former factory is80% complete and is on track to be finished by 2028, giving the city 110,000 square meters of renovated space, in accordance with the master plan’s guidelines. At the heart of the transformation is the desire to preserve the complex’s historical identity, integrating it with contemporary architecture, a focus on sustainability, and services designed for an increasingly diverse community. Led by Manifattura Placemakers on behalf of Aermont Capital and CDP Real Asset, the initiative is shaping a dynamic and cosmopolitan district where residences, businesses, cultural spaces, and gathering places coexist in an ever-evolving environment.
Among the architectural projects marking this new phase are Zenit, a building designed by Studio Dragò, and Futura, the new architectural project by Piuarch, with interiors designed by q-bic. Both contribute to defining a contemporary residential model, where industrial heritage blends with design and services designed to enhance residents’ quality of life.
Among the most significant new developments in the regeneration project is the creation of the new Polimoda Library, which will be housed in Building B11 within the Manifattura Campus. The library, founded alongside Polimoda forty years ago, houses a collection of over 70,000 items dedicated to fashion, including books, lookbooks, commercial catalogs, specialized magazines, and videos. The new location is designed to showcase this heritage and expand the library’s functions, transforming it from a resource primarily intended for students and faculty into an international center for fashion research. The goal is to foster new academic collaborations and strengthen dialogue with the city, opening up further opportunities for the preservation, study, and dissemination of fashion culture.
The design phase has been entrusted to the Milan-based firm (AB)NORMAL, founded by architects Mattia Inselvini, Davide Masserini, and Luigi Savio. The assignment was officially announced by Laura Milani, Polimoda’s general director since September 2026, who identified the library as one of the institute’s strategic development priorities during President Niccolò Ricci’s term. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
Active in the fields of art, fashion, music, and design, (AB)NORMAL approaches design through a critical reflection on the contemporary world, developing projects that span different dimensions and languages. The studio’s portfolio includes collaborations with major international brands, such as Moncler, Versace, LVMH, and C.P. Company, as well as projects related to Italian Radical Design and WSA New York. The group has also created installations for the Triennale di Milano, the Venice Architecture Biennale, and various European museums and cultural institutions. In 2027, it will also curate the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The decision to entrust the studio with the design of the Polimoda Library is therefore part of a strategy aimed at combining research, experimentation, and new ways of experiencing spaces dedicated to culture. The library is thus poised to become one of the campus’s central hubs, strengthening the link between education, research, and urban transformation.
The relationship between Polimoda and Manifattura Tabacchi represents one of the starting points for the entire regeneration process. In 2020, the institute was, in fact, the first major institutional entity to invest in the project to revitalize the former factory, helping to envision a new purpose for the site linked to education and creativity. This decision led to the creation, in 2024, of the Manifattura Campus, a complex spanning over 12,000 square meters dedicated to education in the fashion sector. The modern, technologically advanced, and multifunctional spaces are designed to meet the needs of an international education program and to foster the convergence of expertise, research, and experimentation. The future library will fit into this context as an additional tool for Polimoda’s growth, expanding opportunities for study and in-depth learning and consolidating the school’s role in the European and international fashion education landscape.
The transformation of the complex extends beyond architecture and education to includethe establishment of new economic activities. Among the companies that have chosen Manifattura Tabacchi is EY, an international group active in professional services ranging from auditing to tax and legal consulting, as well as corporate strategy and financial operations. Also joining the complex are Paragon, a retailer specializing in outdoor apparel, and Mirror, an interactive digital agency and software development company that will be headquartered in the Fondazione CR Firenze spaces. The mix of offices, residences, shops, studios, cafés, restaurants, and spaces dedicated to art is helping to shape a new urban hub, frequented by residents, students, professionals, and visitors. Events and cultural initiatives enliven the complex throughout the day, fostering the emergence of a diverse community and reinforcing its identity as a lifestyle destination.
With the completion of Zenit, the progress of Futura, and the future development of the Polimoda Library, Manifattura Tabacchi continues on its path toward 2028. The goal is to restore a historic industrial area in Florence, transforming it into a contemporary district.
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| Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence: Renovation Is 80% Complete; A Major International Fashion Library Is Coming |
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