Historic buildings are purchased by corporations and, through trickery and deception, later converted into tourist apartments. In Venice, everything is for sale. And the city is being sold off piece by piece.
By Martina Zennaro
October 8, 2025
Eighteen public housing units, which are part of a building on Calle dei Guardiani, in the Dorsoduro district of Venice, have a long history, which further illustrates how this city is being sold off. Publicly owned and purchased by Ca’ Foscari University in 1969, the units were put up for auction and purchased in 2017 by a real estate company, which resold them in 2019 and renovated them with the aim of supporting housing.
The last remaining inhabitants were evicted. The owners then asked the city for a zoning change for the building and transformed the apartments into mini tourist accommodations managed by a company that already owns hotels.
The law passed years ago to block the opening of new hotels is being circumvented by transforming entire buildings into tourist rentals, complete with reception areas – just like real hotels – and owned by hotel chains.
In another example, after years of neglect, the former Sisters of Silvestri school in the Cannaregio district was recently purchased by an investor and patron who wants to turn it into a cultural foundation. There are plans for guesthouses that will likely also become tourist rentals. Another loss of school and residential space.
In Venice, every square centimeter of public land is being sold off, under the guise of converting it into apartments for residents or students.
Likewise, many years ago, an immense building in Campo dei Gesuiti was restored. The building had been closed for many years, and it underwent a major renovation project, with rooms and studios that were supposed to be converted into student residences for the two universities of Venice.
After a few years, and in part because of Covid – though perhaps that was an excuse – the zoning for the structure was changed and it too was converted into a tourist rental.
Despite the ban on new hotels, a workaround has been found. Despite the ban on new bars and restaurants, the same applies.
Tricks or deceptions or regulations with exceptions: paragraph 1 with the exception of, paragraph 2 except in cases of.
This city is being sold off piece by piece.
Source: Ytali Global
Campaign For A Living Venice 