PALAZZO AEDES. THE “RED PALACE” TRIESTE
In 1926 the newly formed Aedes limited company launched the idea of creating an American-style building in Trieste to the local newspaper “Il Piccolo”. “It will be the first frankly and Americanly modern building in Trieste”. his idea for the construction of the Aedes palace, later known as the “Red Palace”. The first “skyscraper” in the city, in a style between the Secession and Nordic Expressionism, inspired by the new red brick skyscrapers of the New York era. Built between 1926 and 1928 by the architect Arduino Berlam and designed by Carlo Polli.
Between 1924 and 1925 the drawings were rejected several times by the Commission of the City’s Technical Office because the building was too tall. A commission asked to change the floors in nine, bringing the height to 50 meters, changing the top of the building, strengthening the pillars on the ground floor and presenting ideas for polychrome decoration, also indicating which materials should be used. The prefect exposed the matter directly to Mussolini, who gave a favorable opinion on the continuation of the works and it is said that he said: “Let them go on at full speed and don’t pay attention to those fools.” It was inaugurated on August 31, 1928 and in 1932 was bought by Assicurazioni Generali. The highest central part ending in a turret and the majolica tiles that decorate the facades are the valuable details that distinguish the building on the banks of Trieste.