Palazzo Stefano Lomellini

History and description

Stefano Lomellini's palace was included in the rolls of Genoa from 1588 to 1664; it was, however, only the nucleus of the present building, which was renovated and enlarged by the architect Gregorio Petondi in 1776 for Gian Tommaso Balbi. It was the contemporary tracing of Strada Nuovissima 1778—1786, today's Via Cairoli), by the same Petondi, with an entrance from the salita dei Forni (today's Largo Zecca), through the annexation of two built plots that increased the palace to its present size, obtaining a double view of Via Lomellini and the new street. On this occasion it was provided with a double entrance (via Cairoli 18-via Lomellini 19), as was the adjoining building owned by Marco Lomellini. and its current facades were designed. Thus, the architect chose a scenographic and complex distributive solution, connecting the two atriums and the rooms on the upper floors, «renewing the splendour of that continuous architecture of the staircase that had been invented in Genoa in the 16th century, which Bartolomeo Bianco had multiplied in the palaces of via Balbi».

The palace, where the loggia of the Lomellini 'hotel' still existed in 1798, is now owned by the Doria Lamba family and houses offices and residences.