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Palazzo Utini stands as a beacon of design, hospitality, and fine dining in Italy’s Food Valley

Behind the scenes of Palazzo Utini, in conversation with designer Stefano Guidotti: the restoration of original tiles for the floors, raw-earth walls, and lighting installations evoking a theatrical set

Palazzo Utini: the Restoration of a 19th-Century Landmark in Italy’s Food Valley

In the heart of Italy’s Food Valley, just a few miles from Parma, Palazzo Utini serves as a meeting point for cuisine, design, and hospitality. Located in the small town of Noceto, this mid-19th-century building stood for many years as a historical touchstone for the local community. After a long process of restoration, it now welcomes visitors eager to explore Emilian cuisine and culture in a setting where 19th-century architecture blends harmoniously with contemporary design solutions.

The Utini family, long active in the production and distribution of cured meats—especially Prosciutto di Parma—envisioned a project that would fuse the region’s culinary heritage with international standards of hospitality. In 2002, the Utini family purchased the building from the local municipality and set out to revitalize it. Real progress began in 2012 with the commencement of renovation work and gained further momentum in 2016, following a chance meeting with Chef Enrico Bartolini at the Teatro Regio in Parma during the launch of the Michelin Guide.

Palazzo Utini, design icons
Palazzo Utini, Design Elements

A Modern Restoration with Historic Constraints – Interview with Designer Stefano Guidotti

Because of its recognized historic value, Palazzo Utini’s renovation was subject to the restrictions set by the Italian Heritage Authority. Designer Stefano Guidotti, who led the artistic direction and interior design, viewed these constraints as a springboard for highlighting the palazzo’s true identity.

“From the beginning, our plans were strongly tied to the local context,” Guidotti explains. “We didn’t want just any renovation project, but rather a modern reimagining that honored the building’s genius loci. We conducted extensive research, analyzing the original layout and features before making any decisions.”

When the Utini family first met Guidotti, they agreed that preserving the palazzo’s architectural history was crucial, while still introducing innovative elements. During preliminary research, fragments of original patterned tiles (cementine) were discovered, inspiring Guidotti to design a continuous terrazzo floor spanning the palazzo—from stairs to hallways to grand rooms.

“I wanted to create one unbroken surface, like a carpet cascading down the stairs and unifying every space,” he says. This choice lends visual cohesion while evoking memories of the original flooring.

Palazzo Utini, lamp in one room
Palazzo Utini, lamp in one of the rooms

Embracing Natural Materials: The Warmth of Raw Earth at Palazzo Utini

One defining feature of the interiors is the use of raw earth for certain walls, created in collaboration with Matteo Brioni, a specialist in natural finishes. This choice adds a tactile, warm quality that contrasts with reflective elements such as brass:

“It’s a dialogue between ‘mute’ textures that don’t reflect light and those that do,” Guidotti notes. “I wanted surfaces to feel alive and tangible, especially next to subtle gleams of light.”

Lighting design, by Davide Groppi, further accentuates each space with understated fixtures and custom lamps. In some rooms, oversized bedside lamps create a theatrical effect, while other pieces—originally black—have been refinished in gold tones to match the warm hues of the earth walls. Art design elements by Draga & Aurel contribute a refined yet linear aesthetic, ensuring a sense of continuity across the entire building.

Palazzo Utini, Stairs
Palazzo Utini, Stairs
Palazzo Utini, 'cementine' details
Palazzo Utini, ‘cementine’ details

A Tailored Design Approach – design icons by Baxter Cassina, Tacchini, Meridiani, Gallotti&Radice, and Dedar

Guidotti frequently describes his work as “tailored design,” an approach that does more than simply decorate each room. It aims to craft a coherent story, piece by piece: “We weren’t just ‘filling’ rooms with furniture. We wanted to narrate the palazzo’s story so that each element expresses something about this place,” he explains.

Classic features coexist with metallic accents and bold lacquered surfaces. Large tables become informal meeting points, while chairs upholstered in unusual fabrics replace standard leather seating. Oversized lamps enrich the living areas. Scattered throughout are vintage items and luminous sculptures, offering subtle but thoughtful details that never overpower the overall design.

Even spatial organization is arranged to enhance each step through the palazzo. Hallways double as mini galleries, and larger rooms foster togetherness. Quiet corners, often outfitted with armchairs by large windows, invite leisurely breaks. Iconic pieces from Baxter, Cassina, Tacchini, Meridiani, Gallotti&Radice, and Dedar complement the interior narrative.

One room's interiors at Palazzo Utini
One room’s interiors at Palazzo Utini

Palazzo Utini’s Culinary Offerings: From Bistrot to Gourmet Dining under the direction of Chef Enrico Bartolini

Thanks to its location in the heart of the Food Valley, Palazzo Utini is inseparable from its gastronomic focus. The ground-floor Bistrot is an intimate, minimalist space displaying works by local artists. Menus emphasize local suppliers and the short supply chain, featuring seasonal ingredients and dishes that celebrate Italian tradition.

Resident Chef Roberto Monopoli has shaped an offering that revisits classic Emilian recipes with modern cooking techniques and careful presentation. Salumi and cheeses—chief among them Parmigiano Reggiano—take center stage, reflecting their local significance while welcoming a touch of innovation.

On the first floor, a gourmet restaurant showcases the vision of Enrico Bartolini, who serves as culinary director and mentor. Bartolini is known for finding equilibrium between innovation and regional roots, a philosophy shared by Monopoli, whose career includes work at award-winning establishments. At Palazzo Utini, their aim is to highlight the quality of Food Valley ingredients through inventive yet well-balanced dishes.

Consistent with Bartolini’s guidelines, Monopoli focuses on showcasing emblematic local products. Presentations reflect a blend of tradition and experimentation, avoiding unnecessary artifice while maintaining harmony in every plate.

Inside the gourmet restaurant, custom lighting and metallic accents contrast with the textured walls. A site-specific lighting installation by Studio Morghen transforms one table into a theatrical set.

Lighting installation by Studio Morghen
Lighting installation by Studio Morghen in the fine dining restaurant at Palazzo Utini

Palazzo Utini, the Suites: Historic Atmosphere Meets Modern Automation

The upper floors house 15 suites, each with its own distinct character. The design ensures that guests experience the building’s original 19th-century charm while benefiting from modern technology. A domotics system controls lighting, temperature, and blinds automatically.

Pale-blue lacquered walls, oversized lamps, and glossy finishes contrast with raw-earth surfaces. Brass fixtures—seen in doorknobs, banisters, and ornamental details—serve as a unifying element, while touchscreen technology simplifies the guest experience. All suites are soundproofed to ensure peace and quiet, whether guests are traveling for leisure or business.

Palazzo Utini, interior detail
Palazzo Utini, interior detail
Light design
Light design
Palazzo Utini, lighting installation
Palazzo Utini, lighting installation

“A Spaceship in the Heart of Noceto”

While the exterior retains its 19th-century façade, the bold interior choices represent a departure from small-town norms:

“Someone told me I’d landed a spaceship right in the center of town,” Guidotti admits. “But the Utini family wanted a strong statement, a symbol that could showcase this region’s potential and infuse the local scene with fresh energy.”

The contrast between the historic façade and the contemporary interior sparks curiosity, drawing both Italian and international travelers. The local community has noticed a steady influx of guests coming to dine or spend the night, raising Noceto’s profile and highlighting its cultural and architectural riches beyond the already famous food specialties.

Palazzo Utini design details
Palazzo Utini design details
Palzzo Utini, mirror
Palzzo Utini, mirror

Exploring Noceto and Parma’s Surroundings: San Vitale Castle and Franco Maria Ricci’s Labirinto della Masone

Located about a 15-minute drive from Parma, Noceto boasts notable landmarks such as the Rocca dei Sanvitale (also known as the “Castello della Musica”), which hosts cultural festivals, concerts, and events. Not far away, Franco Maria Ricci’s Labirinto della Masone—entirely composed of bamboo—entices visitors with exhibition spaces, a museum, and temporary shows, adding a touch of architectural and artistic intrigue.

Meanwhile, Parma itself offers a historic center recognized by UNESCO and a wealth of cultural treasures, from the Teatro Regio to the Galleria Nazionale. From Palazzo Utini, guests can easily plan itineraries that include dairies, prosciuttifici (prosciutto factories), museums, and theaters, embracing a fully immersive journey into the local heritage.

Matteo Mammoli

Labirinto della Masone
Labirinto della Masone
Castello San Vitale – Museo della Musica
Castello San Vitale – Museo della Musica
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