Florence’s non-residential real estate market is experiencing a period of significant change. The expansion of tram lines, influx of tourists, and new municipal restrictions for businesses in the UNESCO historic center area, coupled with the opening of the Viola Park stadium, are reshaping the dynamics of this sector. According to data from Tecnocasa, by the end of 2023, there is an increase in sale prices and rental rates, although more contained compared to mid-year. On main thoroughfares, the price increase is more pronounced (+0.7%), while on other streets, it is +0.2%. For rental rates, the increase is 0.3% in both cases. In the historic center, luxury brands and restaurants maintain a strong presence, despite the restrictions on opening new dining establishments, which require purchasing an existing license.
In the Oltrarno area, prices remain high on streets like Guicciardini, Borgo San Jacopo, and Ponte Vecchio, with rents reaching €1,200 per square meter per year in top zones. Artisans are returning to streets like Maggio and Sant’Agostino, declared by the municipality as artisanal-oriented. On low-traffic streets, there is a higher turnover and an increase in sale and rental times. These locations attract startups that do not want to make significant initial investments but aim to accumulate capital to eventually move to high-traffic streets. Offices in the center are only purchased if they can be converted into residential units, making them attractive to investors. Otherwise, sale times are prolonged, and prices decrease significantly. Currently, the San Lorenzo neighborhood is the most vibrant area for non-residential real estate, thanks to the renovation works of the Sant’Orsola complex and the arrival of the tram line in Piazza San Marco, which is expected to appreciate the value of Via Cavour as well.
In Florence South, where the tram line to Bagno a Ripoli is scheduled for 2026, a vacancy is recorded on Viale Giannotti, while interest (and rental rates) is maintained on Viale Europa, leading to the new Viola Park stadium. However, there is a significant demand for offices in this area. In the Baracca-Novoli area, demand is low, and many shops remain vacant, except for Piazza Dalmazia and Via di Novoli, which are crossed by the tram line. Rental rates vary significantly depending on the location, ranging from up to €600 per square meter per year for Florence South, over €200 per square meter per year for Rifredi and Isolotto, between €120 and €144 per square meter per year for Florence North, and three-digit values for the UNESCO area. The gross annual returns requested by investors are also differentiated, ranging from 10% and above for Isolotto and Novoli, down to 8% for Florence South and the center, where in 2023, a settling around 6-7% was observed for shops in prime positions within the UNESCO area with reliable and solid businesses. In the second half of 2023, investors resumed purchasing apartments in Florence’s historic center, where prices increased by 3.1%, with the aim of generating income through short-term rentals, despite the municipality’s ban in the UNESCO area (which is currently under litigation at the Regional Administrative Court).