With spirited nationalism and an imperial hunger, Italy emerged from centuries of divisiveness as a united nation in the mid nineteenth century. Led by King Vittorio Emanuele II, the beloved “Father of the Fatherland,” the young nation was brimming with activity and ambition. In 1861, plans were drawn for a Milanese monument, a cross-shaped arcade that would connect the sacred Piazza del Duomo to the popular La Scala Theatre. The Galleria was designed by architect Giuseppe Mengoni, constructed between 1865 and 1878, and, ultimately, named in honor of united Italy’s first king.

The architectural marvel stood four stories tall with a 164-foot dome and stretched the length of 640 feet. It was an immediate success, housing numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops, some of which still exist today, including the Biffi Caffè established in 1867 and the famous Zucca Bar, frequented by composer Giuseppe Verdi. The Galleria became the archetypal structure for several other large-scale, European arcades. A structural revision and refurbishment of former street-level commercial spaces, which were transformed into apartments/suites, stands proudly nearly a century and a half later as the stylish home of Town House Galleria.

Town House Galleria, a charter member of Historic Hotels Worldwide since 2011, dates back to 1876.