Torino's OGR Reopens After €100 Million Restoration

The Officine Grandi Riparazioni (OGR) in Turin, a former industrial plant purchased by the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Torino, has reopened after a costly restoration of €100 million. The complex now houses three functions: a space for shows and events, exhibition areas, and a business incubator set to open in 2018. The project was managed by a young team. Turin has been transforming into a major cultural hub over the past two decades, with growth in design and art education—the Accademia Albertina and IED have seen significant revitalization, and UNESCO recently designated Turin a City of Design. The article questions the OGR's financial sustainability without rent costs, noting that the third sector replaced public funding for this urban regeneration. Revenue streams include private event rentals, ticket sales, catering, office leasing, and sponsorships. The author argues that public resources in Italy are often directed toward new land consumption rather than restoration of existing structures, which is less civic and sustainable.