Palazzo Fondi Opens in Naples as Temporary Urban Regeneration Hub

Palazzo Fondi, a restored 18th-century building by Luigi Vanvitelli on via Medina in Naples, has opened as a temporary multifunctional center for urban regeneration. The initiative, coordinated by the Agenzia del Demanio and Ninetynine Urban Value, will host television productions, international exhibitions, festivals, and local activities over one year, generating over €5 million in business. It is the first temporary urban regeneration project in the city, created ahead of a planned renovation that will turn the building into the headquarters of Agicom (the Communications Regulatory Authority) for about 200 employees by 2021. The project follows models from Rome's former Dogana di San Lorenzo and Guido Reni District near the MAXXI museum. The space prioritizes emerging artists and includes a co-working area for students and young entrepreneurs. As part of the exhibition program, "Poison – Il potere del veleno" runs until July 1, 2018, curated by entomologist Enzo Moretto and produced by Exhibition Hub and Medea Art with the patronage of the Municipality of Naples. The show spans 1,000 square meters, recreating historical poison-related events from Socrates to the Borgia family, with interactive installations featuring venomous animals like the Chilean recluse spider, black widow, pink tarantula, golden poison frog, and eyelash viper.