Luxury and Art of Hospitality in the Heart of Bolzano with Franz Kraler
Glamour, luxury, and the art of hospitality in the vibrant heart of Bolzano: Palais Campofranco will host the new boutique of the cosmopolitan brand Franz Kraler, bringing to the city the luxury endorsed by the great names of international fashion.
The building, located at Via della Mostra 1 on the corner with Piazza Walther, is part of a project to redevelop a corner of Bolzano’s historic center. The historic courtyard next to Bolzano Cathedral has been restored to its former glory, becoming a key point of hospitality in the capital of South Tyrol. Situated in Piazza Walther, the structure, which saw a preliminary inauguration at the end of September 2022 after complex renovation work and the recovery of volumes destroyed during the last war, discreetly but explicitly connects the relationship between historic, renovated buildings and new contemporary spaces, in a continuous interplay between past and present. It invites visitors to relive the incredible and unpredictable history of the Habsburgs.
The challenge launched by the Kraler family to the world of luxury continues in the city’s capital with a store that spans an area of 150 square meters, housed on the ground floor of the famous 18th-century building (originally dating back to the 13th century) that belonged to the Habsburg-Lorraine family and is now owned by Count Georg von Kuenburg. The Kralers continue to cultivate a connection with the region’s tradition and history, following the redevelopment of Emperor Franz Joseph’s stables in Dobbiaco, now home to the "fashion castle" and their headquarters.
The refined atmosphere, born from the rare and innate sense of absolute beauty that has always distinguished the Kraler family, now comes to life among the palaces of the city center.
This is a story of care and attention to the customer in the name of professionalism, sentiment, and roots, starting from Dobbiaco framed by the "Tre Cime," a UNESCO World Heritage site, and making a stop in Bolzano in an inseparable combination of modernity and tradition that is a fundamental element of their success.
The spaces, redesigned by the Marastoni studio in Bolzano, which will host collections from Gucci, Fendi, Valentino, Christian Louboutin—just to name a few—boast an ultra-modern design, featuring a digital backdrop with a large arch-shaped opening at the back. Hidden in the rear, a 100-inch high-definition monitor for themed video projections completes the "perspective illusion," capturing the customer’s imagination and expanding the dimension of the exhibition space.
The monochrome walls and furnishings are interrupted by a dramatic carpet that cuts across the floor's entire length. Finally, the play of light and shadow in the environment is crucial, thanks to careful design by the technical office of viabizzuno: the light is carefully hidden in the ceiling and side niches, precisely highlighting the display areas and accentuating the shadowy areas of the arches to enhance perspective.
For the store’s inauguration, which will take place on April 13 at Via della Mostra 1, Franz Kraler will sign a partnership with META, a luxury restaurant founded by entrepreneur Gunther Stecher. This valuable collaboration opens up a new season of shopping and dining experiences.
Palais Campofranco will capture the attention of tourists, thanks to the prestigious META restaurant, located on the top floor of the building. META enjoys an excellent international reputation thanks to a refined gourmet offering that reinterprets regional dishes using ingredients that appeal to international tastes. An emotional experience will be offered to boutique customers and beyond, soon to be expanded with the inauguration of several "META suites" that will be located directly above the Franz Kraler multibrand store.
