The jewelry and silverware Maison has opened an elegant, client-exclusive venue in Milan.
It is now an established trend: top jewelers sell not only necklaces, rings, and earrings but also wine and gourmet cuisine. The latest example comes from Buccellati, which has opened a Caviar Bar in the courtyard of its historic flagship store at Via Montenapoleone 23 in Milan. The space was designed by Chahan Minassian, a Paris-based designer and decorator of Lebanese origin. This project follows the work completed in 2024 on the *piano nobile* (first floor) of Palazzo Gavazzi, located at the same address. The venue also serves as a showcase for the Maison’s silverware—such as the Caviar collection, recognized by its signature micro-sphere motif and refined silver craftsmanship, elements that define its formal and material identity.
The Caviar Bar is not open to the general public; it is reserved for the Maison’s clients and guests. The setting occupies a double-height volume overlooking the courtyard, arranged across two levels. Access is gained via a gallery that evokes the ceremonial passageways of 19th-century Milanese palazzos, leading into a space designed for conversation, conviviality, and private hospitality. A glass mezzanine overlooks the main lounge, creating visual continuity between the levels and emphasizing the architecture’s verticality. Lounge seating, bistro tables, and a central bar are arranged to foster both privacy and social interaction. A distinctive feature of the project lies in the surfaces, clad in custom mirrored panels finished in shades of copper, silver, and smoked gray. As with the upper floor—home to the Buccellati boutiques and workshop—every furnishing element was custom-designed by Minassian. Period pieces, including Murano glass chandeliers, are paired with sculptural forms and the designer’s bespoke furnishings, creating a balanced dialogue between the palazzo’s historic architecture and a contemporary design language.
Maintaining a residential feel was essential. The goal was to create an inviting, lived-in interior while preserving the architectural grandeur of Palazzo Gavazzi. Mirrors introduce light, movement, and depth, while materials, fabrics, and Murano glass impart warmth and intimacy.
Chahan Minassian
