From the redevelopment of Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence, Zenit was born, a new residential project with 34 residential units with a sophisticated design respecting the industrial heritage. The architects of the Quincoces Dragò& Partners studio chose to preserve the characteristic features of the building by introducing highly topical elements through design choices based on comfort and elegance. Work on the Zenit project is expected to be completed by March 2026.
Thus continues the ambitious redevelopment plan promoted by the real estate company of the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti Group and by Aermont Capital with the coordination of MTDM – Manifattura Tabacchi Development Management Srl, which provides for the recovery, by 2026, of the city’s historic industrial area, for a total of approximately 110,000 m2 transformed into commercial and office spaces, cultural and training spaces, residential areas, hospitality and public green areas.
Extending over an area of 4,800 m2, plus 1,530 m2 of rooftops, loggia gardens and terraces, the redevelopment project preserves and enhances the original architecture, reworking it in a contemporary and sustainable way. Future residents of Zenit will have at their disposal numerous amenities accessible exclusivelyincluding a fitness room, a workshop equipped for bicycle maintenance, a pet room dedicated to the care of pets and a condominium rooftop furnished of approximately 400 m2.
Zenit develops in the two wings of the entrance building to Manifattura Tabacchi which housed the management, offices and accommodation of the ancient factory. Built between 1936 and 1940, the building with its distinctive curvilinear shape is characterized by a monumental portaldecorated by original bas-reliefs created by the sculptor Francesco Coccia. A historical heritage that becomes an integral part of the project’s identity, right from the name: Zenit is in fact one of the brands of cigarettes that were once produced in the Tabacchi Factory. An emblematic term, which contains and passes on the original spirit of the place.
The apartments on the ground floor are on two levels, thanks to the exceptional height of the spaces of the original rooms which allowed the creation of a new mezzanine floor; the living area extends outside into welcoming covered gardens or terraces for exclusive use. The homes on the first floor, arranged on a single level, are equipped with large private panoramic outdoor areas created on the roof, which are accessed from the living area via a spiral staircase.
Inspired by the warm and earthy nuances of tobacco, the color palette is an explicit homage to the original production function of the former Tabacchi Factory. The walls and ceilings are covered in a cream-colored shade, which conveys a sense of refined well-being; the oak wood floors, in the “toasted” finish of fermented or aged tobaccos, contribute to strengthening the enveloping atmosphere of the spaces; some examples of internal stairs, a distinctive element of interior design, are made of black metal, a material that acts as the common thread in all Manifattura Tabacchi buildings. Natural light spreads into all spaces through the large windows.
Zenit is designed following the highest ESG requirements and environmental sustainability and is a candidate for BREEAM Excellent environmental certification. All apartments, in Class A1 or higher, will be equipped with cutting-edge technological systems and rainwater recovery and recycling systems. in fact one of the cornerstones of the entire landscape project of Manifattura Tabacchi, which bears the signature of the architect Antonio Perazzi. Quincoces Dragò & Partners created private gardens and terraces for almost all the residential units in Zenit, as well as a large communal garden on the roof of the building.
