Fashion lovers rejoice. The highly anticipated transformation of Venice’s Fondaco dei Tedeschi building into a luxury department store is finally complete. The project was commissioned by Edizione S.r.l., the Benetton family's holding company, in 2009. Led by Dutch architect firm OMA, the landmark building has been redesigned to become a luxury shopping mall. Under a recently signed leasing agreement with Hong Kong based company DFS, the conversion into high end retail space is nearly complete.

First constructed in 1228, the Fondaco dei Tedeschi is one of Venice’s largest and most recognizable buildings. Sitting at the foot of the Rialto bridge, the building has been painted by Canaletto and other masters, as well as continually photographed as a back drop to the famous Rialto bridge.

Throughout the years, it was used as a house of customs under Napoleon, a trading post for German merchants, and a post office under Mussolini. The historical building was listed as a Monument in 1987, which prohibited major structural changes during the renovations. A symbol of the Venetian mercantile era, the building is taking on new purpose as a luxury department store. On your next trip to Venice with the Italian Concierge, make sure to check out the newly designed space!

Images Courtesy of: http://www.dezeen.com/2016/06/07/oma-completes-restoration-venice-fondaco-dei-tedeschi-department-store/