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Residences at Palazzo Tornabuoni, a former Medici home, replete with Renaissance art

Residences at former Medici home, replete with Renaissance art

by Paul Wheatley | July 14th 2012 | 11:00 am

The view over Florence from the rooftop of Palazzo Tornabuoni

In choosing Palazzo Tornabuoni as the location for a private residence club, the Four Seasons and Resort group could hardly have opted for a building with a better provenance. Located in Florence, with close links to the renowned Medici family and a pope, this sumptuous palace combines the elegance of the old with the sharpness of the new.

Palazzo Tornabuoni is located in the heart of the city and dates back to the fifteenth century, at the height of the Florence-originating European Renaissance. It was bought in the sixteenth century by Alessandro de’Medici, the Archbishop of Florence, who transformed it into one of the premier palaces in a city with a reputation as one of the most spectacular in Europe. In March 1605, at the grand old age of 70, Alessandro was voted as the new pope. Unfortunately, his reign was not the most auspicious of the Catholic Church’s long history, as 27 days later Alessandro died. The Corsi family purchased the palace, subsequently adding to the already significant frescoes and architecture.

Fast-forward four centuries, and years of detailed restoration work have rejuvenated many frescoes (such as Agostino Ciampelli’s Esther and Ahasuerus), a marble statue of Diana the Huntress by Gherardo Silvani and numerous further elements, to somewhere approaching their Renaissance best.

Today, Palazzo Tornabuoni’s Renaissance splendour is joined by new technology and style, with modern fabrics now complementing the classic frescoes and custom-made furniture sitting atop marble floors. Residences (priced between EUR 1.6 and 5.15 million) at the palace include custom-designed Boffi kitchens, modern entertainment and communication systems, and various tables, chairs and other features created by local artisans.

Moreover, owners also get the use of various communal areas, such as the Club Lounge, the Cigar Room and a fitness, sauna and steam area, while the Club Attaché is on hand for concierge and other services. One can imagine that such high-quality service – not to mention high-quality restoration work – is something the renowned Medici family would approve of.

See the residences at the Knight Frank website
Visit the Palazzo Tornabuoni homepage