The 23th edition is held at the Innovation Center of Fondazione CR Firenze and is divided into four strands, “Urbanpromo City”, “Urbanpromo Social Housing,” “Urbanpromo Digital” and “Urbanpromo Green.”
The history of the building that hosts Urbanpromo dates back to the late 17th century. The palace, designed by architect Giovan Battista Foggini at the request of Grand Duke Cosimo III dei Medici, was built in 1695 as the Granary of Abundance to provide grain storage for the city in times of famine. The Medici coat of arms is displayed on the building’s facade in Piazza di Cestello.
Later, it was administered by the Magistrato dell’Annona and, in the 19th century, became a military bakery, before becoming the site of the “caserma Cavalli” (Cavalli barracks), where for a long time Florentines went to receive their draft examination.
In 2017, the estate was purchased by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze and underwent internal renovations, designed by architect Annalisa Baracchi and engineer Giuliano Galzigni, to transform it into a technological innovation center. The Auditorium and The Stellar restaurant have been open to the public since 2021. Also coming in 2022 is the “42” Florence coding school.
Today the building is an engine of innovation and economic development, a catalyst for resources and talent.
Accessibility and Services
The Innovation Centre of Fondazione CR Firenze is located along the Lungarno Soderini, at the Amerigo Vespucci bridge, in the heart of San Frediano. It is easily accessible on foot or by public and private transport. From the Firenze Santa Maria Novella railway station, it is a short walk (13 min, 1 km) or by bus (13 min) or taxi (20 min). Urbanpromo’s conferences are held in the 4 halls of the Congress Centre, located on the basement floor, with access from no. 21 Lungarno Soderini. On the ground floor, on the other hand, are the 21 silos in the granary that will host the exhibition and various hospitality spaces including the cafeteria and a restaurant.