Tobacco Factory Turns Art Space

The Manifattura Tabacchi, the Tobacco Factory, here in Florence was built in the 1930s and used as a hub for treating tobacco and preparing it for commercial sale for around 70 years until operations ceased in 2001. Consisting of eight buildings and covering about 20 acres, this abandoned space near Cascine Park has been used on and off as an event space throughout the years, but now it has finally received funding to become a new center for culture and arts.

The 200 million euro project comes as the result of a joint venture between local real estate companies and private investors and is intended to kick off in fall 2018. Polimoda, the international fashion institute, has contracted space in the newly renovated factory as fashion laboratories, but the mission of this space is to be a “center outside of the city-center” for all. The vision of Florence’s new urban space is full of cafes, bars, and artisan workshops, with a main market and even a theater, hoping to facilitate local job creation.

Manifattura Tabacchi expects to be an attraction for all ages and backgrounds, and ultimately a platform for community growth. To jump start this mission, they will be offering event space to cultural institutions, foundations, and performers throughout the duration of construction, and here by creating a program of engaging experiences for the public.

The sustainable development of the Manifattura Tabacchi is sure to offer something to the Florence community beyond tradition, while preserving and showcasing local food, art, and more.

For more information about the upcoming program at Manifattura Tabacchi, contact events@mtdm.it. (anna rosin)

To read more in Italian, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.