In 1915 Giovanni Agnelli (grandfather to the recently passed away company president) began making arrangements to build a big and modern car factory. Inaugurated in 1923, the Lingotto quickly became a model factory, thanks in part to several ingenious ideas, such as the testing course on the roof (which much impressed Le Corbusier). In 1982 the Lingotto was closed as a factory, and in the 1990's architect Renzo Piano transformed the enormous space into a multi-use exhibiting center/ fairgrounds. The pavilions of via Nizza today house an Auditorium, the Le Meridien hotel and Art + Tech hotel, a business and trade gallery, a congress center, the Multiplex Pathé, the Gianni Agnelli's art collection, and a fair grounds where a number of big events such as the Book Fair or il Salone del Gusto (the Fair of Flavors) are held. |
