Recupero edilizio e funzionale dell'ex carcere delle Murate, Urban renovation complex in Santa Croce district, Florence, Italy
The Recupero Edilizio is a renovation complex built on the site of a former prison in Florence, spanning about 14,500 square meters (156,000 square feet). The project includes housing units, commercial spaces, public squares, and cultural zones accessible to residents and visitors.
The original structure was built between 1439 and 1443 as a monastery before becoming a prison in 1883. After closure in 1985, renovation began in 2001 to transform it into a mixed-use space.
The ground floor contains exhibition areas and artist studios where shows and events happen regularly. This cultural hub brought new life to a historic building and attracted creative people from across the city.
The site is easy to walk through with several entry points from nearby streets. The best way to explore is through the public squares, which invite strolling and lingering.
The project was part of the European Reprise network, connecting six cities with similar prison transformations. This partnership brought solutions and lessons from other locations to Florence.
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