Italy’s Ministry of Culture has launched an inquiry into Florence’s so-called “black cube,” a controversial ultramodern building in the city’s historic centre.
The structure, built on the site of the former Teatro Comunale, has prompted strong local backlash. Ministry sources told ANSA they are reviewing the permits issued for the redevelopment and have requested a detailed report from the Superintendency that authorised the project. The Florence prosecutor’s office has also opened a preliminary investigation, currently without suspects.
As reported by The Florentine, the building has dominated headlines in recent weeks. Local media have dubbed it the “monster of corso Italia,” while The Times ran a story titled Florence skyline darkened by luxury flats dubbed the ‘black cube’. Former Uffizi director Eike Schmidt has said he will file a complaint to UNESCO, raising concerns about the city’s World Heritage Site status.
The “black cube,” which developers describe as a burnished brass extension that lightens in the sun, forms part of the new Teatro Luxury Apartments complex. The project includes 156 short-term rental apartments, coworking spaces, a wellness centre, and a new piazza named after Maria Callas. Prices are expected to average €350 per night.
Critics say the out-of-place addition spoils the harmony of nearby 19th-century palazzi, visible from both the Lungarno and Piazzale Michelangelo. In contrast, the restored neoclassical façade of the former theatre has been praised.
Local paper La Nazione reported that nearly 73 per cent of readers surveyed want the cube demolished. The controversy highlights wider questions over Florence’s future: balancing heritage with modern development, luxury real estate with affordable housing, and tourism with local needs.
For now, the Ministry of Culture has confirmed it will “shed light” on how the permits were granted, while prosecutors determine if any wrongdoing occurred.
