In 2019, the RSG Group decided to open a new gym in Trieste under the John Reed Fitness brand. The selected property occupied four levels of the former Banco di Napoli headquarters, later used by Unicredit, located on Corso Italia.
The choice was driven by the architectural quality and prestige of the building, constructed in the second half of the 1930s. This monumental example of Rationalist architecture includes several outstanding interior features, most notably the travertine marble helical staircase.
The project involved the development of a 2,000-square-metre fitness facility distributed across four levels, requiring extensive works tailored to the specific function of each floor.
The basement level — formerly housing the bank vaults and safety deposit boxes — was converted into the strength training area, preserving and enhancing the original armoured doors and historic safes.
The ground floor accommodates the main fitness hall, adjacent aerobic training rooms, reception area, and bar. The monumental staircase leads to the first-floor training studio, while the second floor houses services including changing rooms, saunas, and cloakrooms.
Major structural works carried out by Ennio Riccesi Holding included the consolidation of deteriorated reinforced concrete waffle slabs affected by corrosion of the reinforcement bars and widespread brick infill failures.
One of the most demanding operations involved the demolition of an existing secondary staircase connecting all four levels and the construction of a new reinforced concrete staircase designed to current regulations, together with an adjacent steel lift shaft.
The demolition was carried out from top to bottom using mainly disc cutters and mechanical equipment. The new reinforced concrete structure, exceeding 18 metres in height, was built with extreme care and precision due to the fact that all works were performed within an occupied residential building.
Additional interventions included the modification of a load-bearing structure on the first floor to enlarge the training studio, the creation of openings and penetrations in the existing structures for new building services, the cleaning and treatment of exposed wall surfaces, new plaster finishes, and the construction of a steel mezzanine overlooking the main hall and connecting to the emergency exit staircase.
A dedicated section of the project focused on acoustic insulation, required due to the high-volume music used throughout the facility and the presence of residential apartments on the upper floors. One of the main challenges was the glazed skylight above the main ground-floor hall, as well as the acoustic performance of the upper floor slabs.
To address these issues, high-performance acoustic suspended ceilings supported by new horizontal steel structures were installed, while all perimeter walls adjoining neighbouring properties were lined with dedicated acoustic insulation systems.
Further works involved a secondary courtyard and the roof area, where new air handling units were installed.
Construction began in June 2021. Following a three-month suspension required for remediation works, activities resumed in October 2021 and were completed at the end of October 2022. Throughout the project, multiple contractors responsible for electromechanical systems, finishes, and furnishings operated simultaneously in close coordination.
