Work begins in Piacenza on the redevelopment of the former convent of Santa Chiara to provide 330 beds

Student accommodation, social housing and social care services under one roof. This is the project getting underway in Piacenza, where the foundation stone was laid today for the conversion and regeneration of the former convent of Santa Chiara. The project will provide the community with around 330 beds and enhance a site of great historical and architectural value to the city, covering a total area of around 12,000 square metres, of which 8,500 will be dedicated to green spaces.

The redevelopment project has been initiated by the Fondazione di Piacenza e Vigevano and will be implemented through the iGeneration fund managed by Investire Sgr (part of the Banca Finnat group), in which the Foundation itself holds a stake, alongside the European Investment Fund and Cdp Real Asset Sgr. The transaction is worth over 30 million euros, in addition to the loan granted by Banca di Piacenza.

The project involves the conversion of the historic buildings to house a new university hall of residence, which will be managed by Relife – an Italian company specialising in the management of student accommodation – and a new facility to house the “Dopo di Noi” Residential Social and Rehabilitation Centre. The latter, designed by Stefano Boeri Interiors, will be dedicated to vulnerable people and those with disabilities and will be managed by the Unicoop cooperative. There will be around 330 places available across the student accommodation, social housing and social care services, creating an inclusive community that is open to the city.

The laying of the foundation stone also marks the official start of construction of the Arena Santa Chiara, a new open-air auditorium dedicated to culture and events organised by the Fondazione di Piacenza e Vigevano. Designed as a contemporary open-air theatre, the arena will host performances, concerts and cultural activities, with the aim of becoming a new focal point for the city’s social and cultural life.