Florence, Italy
An 1880 factory on the left bank of the Arno, transformed by architect Claudio Nardi into a design residence of individually crafted lofts, two kilometres from Florence's renaissance centre.
Stone walls and cross vaults from 1880 frame a private garden, a white sandstone pool, and views across the Arno to the Parco delle Cascine. Each loft has its own entrance and its own relationship with the outdoors, whether that is the river, the garden, or the park.
Architect Claudio Nardi lived and worked here before opening the complex to guests. His design philosophy pairs early 20th-century antiques with minimalist lines in stone, wood, glass, and Corian. The result is a place that recalls home and travels, contemporary clarity and the memories of past styles. Featured in Conde Nast Traveller, Harper's Bazaar, and recognised at the Wallpaper Awards, Riva Lofts transforms a place of residence into a way of life.
Vintage bikes lean by the entrance. Guests pedal across the Arno to the Parco delle Cascine in about ten minutes. The same bikes reach Florence's renaissance centre in ten minutes flat. Private yoga lessons run by the pool in summer or beside the fireplace in the common lounge during cooler months. The white sandstone pool sits in the private garden, surrounded by greenery and quiet. In winter, the stone-walled lounge with its large fireplace and library becomes the gathering point.
Explore additional experiences in the surrounding area.
Route length: 3km loopEstimated time: 40minLoop routeGiardino di Boboli is a historic garden located in Florence, Italy. It is a leisure park that requires an entrance fee, with charges of 10 EUR for general admission and 2 EUR for reduced tickets. The garden offers visitors access to its cultivated natural environment, making it suitable for relaxation and nature observation. It is recognized as a heritage site, reflecting its cultural and historical significance.
Area sceneryRoute length: 1.2km loopEstimated time: 16minLoop routeGiardino Torrigiani is a park. The park is recognized with a dedicated website and has coverage on Wikipedia and Wikidata, highlighting its significance as a leisure green space.
Area sceneryRoute length: 7.6km loopEstimated time: 1.5hLoop routeParco delle Cascine is a park located in Florence, Italy. It is a leisure area that offers a natural setting suitable for relaxation and enjoying the outdoors. The park is recognized on Wikidata and Wikipedia, indicating its cultural and local significance.
Straight-line distance from hotel: 4.6 km directSalotto Verde is a community-operated public garden that is accessible 24/7. It is a self-managed leisure park where dogs are allowed, making it an inclusive outdoor area for wellbeing and nature watching.
Route length: 4.6km loopEstimated time: 1hLoop routeThis local protected area is also classified as a nature reserve with leisure=nature_reserve. It holds a protect_class 5 status.
Route length: 11.5km loopEstimated time: 2.5hLoop routeA local protected area with protect_class 5, indicated as a boundary-protected area. It is listed under Wikidata Q3622063.
Route length: 10.7km loopEstimated time: 2.5hLoop routeProtected area classified with protect_class 5, recognized on Wikidata as Q3661614. It is demarcated by boundary=protected_area.
Route length: 17.7km loopEstimated time: 4hLoop routeA local natural protected area with a designation of protect_class 5. It is marked as a protected_area without additional leisure or access tags.
Route length: 8.7km loopEstimated time: 2hLoop routeThis site is a local natural protected area with protect_class 5, marked as a boundary-protected zone.
Route length: 34.1km loopEstimated time: 7.5hLoop routeThe Area naturale protetta di interesse locale Torrente Terzolle is a protected natural area established in 2006. It is designated as a protection class 5 site, highlighting its environmental importance. Visitors can enjoy the natural surroundings, making it suitable for nature watching and hiking activities. More information is available on its official website.
RIVA-K sits inside the Riva Lofts complex, surrounded by the same stone, glass, and warm materials as the lofts themselves. Open Wednesday to Sunday, it serves romantic dinners in an atmosphere shaped by architecture and design. Sunday brunch fills the space with a different energy, more convivial, more light. The setting does as much work as the menu. Warmth and conviviality meet Claudio Nardi's minimalist lines.
The white sandstone pool sits in a private garden shielded by greenery. In summer it becomes the centre of the property. Private yoga sessions take place poolside, or in the common lounge by the fireplace when temperatures drop. Fifty-minute massages bring the pace down further. The stone walls, cross vaults, and library of the lounge create a stillness that feels far from central Florence.
Riva Lofts is built on reuse. The 1880 factory structure was preserved and adapted rather than demolished, its stone walls and cross vaults becoming the bones of a new life. Claudio Nardi's conversion retained original materials and added durable ones, stone, wood, glass, choosing longevity over disposability.
No formal sustainability certifications appear in Riva Lofts' current programme. The property's contribution is architectural: extending the life of a 19th-century industrial building and keeping its footprint compact within Florence's urban fabric.
Riva Lofts Florence offers 6 accommodation types.
Suite Loft
The most exclusive spaces at Riva Lofts, up to 100 square metres, with views of the city skyline or riverbanks. Design harmoniously blends with spacious, luminous architecture featuring unique designer collectibles and modern antiques.
Junior Suite Loft
Two-bedroom lofts of 50–60 square metres, ideal for families seeking privacy and comfort. Features access from the reception alley, a toilette with shower, a design kitchenette, balcony, and lounge area.
Superior Loft
Approximately 45 square metres, designed in a modern style using soft materials and light colours, with a kitchenette designed by Claudio Nardi and a small preparation area.
Deluxe Loft
Approximately 40 square metres, contemporary style with soft materials and light colours, featuring a kitchenette designed by Claudio Nardi and a small preparation area.
Standard Loft
Approximately 30 square metres, recommended for one or maximum two people, designed for a peaceful and tranquil stay in a welcoming atmosphere.
Smart Room
Approximately 20 square metres, a small room illuminated by roof windows, suitable for a short stay and ideal for travellers on the move.
Sleep in Claudio Nardi's design residence on the Arno. Each loft opens to its own slice of Florence.
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