Giving back to your city what it gave you. After rehabilitating Genoa's old port in preparation for the 500th anniversary celebrations in 1992e anniversary of the discovery of America by another famous Genoese, Christopher Columbus, architect Renzo Piano continues to redesign the waterfront of his native city with the Waterfront di Levante project.
A marina, an urban park providing a gentle link with the historic centre, a seafront promenade for the passeggiata, luxury flats in transparent buildings and, for business travellers, a luxurious Sofitel: this new architectural symbol of the Italian metropolis is part of the regeneration of the former Fiera del Mare exhibition centre into a new, predominantly sustainable district, following the Nearly Zero Energy Building approach.
Reclaimed from the sea in the 1960s, the area had already seen the opening of the Pavillon Bleu in 2009, a 20,000 m² exhibition centre redesigned by Jean Nouvel. Taking over other former pavilions, a more extensive transformation is now underway to make way for the new living spaces. Meanwhile, the sports hall, which has fallen into disuse, will be transformed into a brand new arena under the direction of Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
Led by investors and developers Orion and CDS Holding, this Waterfront di Levante project will include a hotel, recently entrusted to the Accor Group and due to open in 2027. In partnership with the Italian AG Group, the Sofitel Genoa Waterfront will have 120 rooms, including 20 suites, as well as a restaurant and lounge-bar in the lobby, a swimming pool and pool bar, and two meeting rooms. " Italy is one of the most important markets for Sofitel in Southern Europe, and the opening of the Sofitel Genoa Waterfront is a key step in our growth strategy, following the success of the Sofitel Roma Villa Borghese. "said Maud Bailly, Managing Director of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems.
