Built in the 17th century, Punta della Dogana, a Venetian landmark, has been the other venue of the François Pinault Foundation since 2009. The restoration by Tadao Ando transformed the ancient warehouse into an exhibition center where past and present coexist. The central Cube, the heart of the building, is an ideal space for meetings and conferences, cocktail parties, gala dinners, photo shoots and corporate events. The Belvedere terraces and the waterfront platform on the Canale della Giudecca offer one the most beautiful views of Venice and are perfect to organize events during the spring or summer months. The Dogana Café and Dogana Shop form a lively and elegant environment for cocktail parties.
The Cube brings together old Venetian paving stones (masegni) and new walls in smooth reinforced concrete; the true epicenter of the restoration of Punta della Dogana, this is where the architect Tadao Ando put his most distinctive mark upon the entire restoration project. Famous fashion magazines, leading international companies and important names in the art world have chosen this space, which provides the perfect framework for a gala dinner or an after-dinner dance, as the setting for their events.
The waterfront platform looks out towards the islands of Giudecca and San Giorgio. During the summer and spring months, it is a very special setting for cocktail parties and dinners - a perfect place to enjoy the colours and the sight of the sunset over the lagoon. The platform is also a great observation point from which to enjoy all the events that take place on the Grand Canal, the Giudecca Canal and St. Mark's Basin - for instance the Redentore, the Regata Storica and the traditional rowing competition Vonga Longa, as well as the Carnival and New Year's Eve.
The three Belvedere roof terraces overlook the very centre of St. Mark's Basin and provide an exceptional view over the whole lagoon. At the top of the building, close to Bernardo Falcone's statue of Fortune, the terraces are located at the point where the Grand Canal meets the Giudecca Canal and therefore provide an ideal location for unforgettable cocktail parties, or dinners.
The Dogana Café and the Dogana Shop are located at the far end of the building. The grids on the doors overlooking the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal were designed as an explicit homage to Carlo Scarpa. Steel and glass modulate the fall of light within the space, creating a lively and elegant setting for receptions of any kind.