| Torrione INA | |
| Coordinates: | 45.5385°N 10.2189°W |
| Alternate Names: | Torrione |
| Highest Region: | Italy |
| Highest Next: | Torre Littoria (Turin) |
| Highest Start: | 1932 |
| Highest End: | 1934 |
| Status: | complete |
| Building Type: | Commercial offices Residential |
| Address: | Piazza della Vittoria |
| Location City: | Brescia |
| Location Country: | Italy |
| Start Date: | 1930 |
| Completion Date: | 1932 |
| Opened Date: | 1 November 1932 |
| Roof: | 57.25m (187.83feet) |
| Floor Count: | 15 (13 above ground) |
| Elevator Count: | 5 |
| Architect: | Marcello Piacentini |
| References: | [1] |
The Torrione INA, also known as Torrione or Grattacielo, is a tall building in Brescia, Italy. Built between 1930 and 1932, it is the first skyscraper in Italy and also one of the first skyscrapers in Europe.[2] [3] [4] It was designed by the Italian architect Marcello Piacentini for the INA – Istituto Nazionale Assicurazioni ("National Insurance Institute").[5] At the time of its completion, it was the tallest concrete high-rise in Europe aside from the “Boerentoren” in Antwerp.[6] [7]
The tower was officially opened by Benito Mussolini on 1 November 1932.[8] [9] The architectural style of this building is predominantly Art Deco, with influences from Chicago School. Indeed, the Torrione INA was inspired by a project that Piacentini had submitted in 1922 for the Chicago Tribune's architectural competition.
The Torrione INA had been used as a model for other Italian skyscrapers, such as the Torre Littoria in Turin and the Torre Piacentini in Genoa.