Milan/Rome, 8th July 2026 – UniCamillus International Medical University and Central SICAF announce that they have signed a pre-letting agreement for a portion (65%) of the property owned by Central SICAF located in Mestre, in Piazzale San Lorenzo Giustiniani. The deal will enable the creation of a new state-of-the-art university campus, consolidating the University’s presence across Italy; the University specialises in medical and health sciences and already has campuses in Rome, Venice Lido and Cefalù.
The transaction involves the letting of approximately 11,000 square metres, in addition to a large car park, covering a total area of approximately 17,000 square metres, under an 11-year lease with an option to renew for a further six years. The asset, previously let to FiberCop, will undergo a major refurbishment carried out by Covivio.
The refurbishment project will see the building transformed into a modern university campus. The spaces will be designed to meet UniCamillus’s most advanced educational requirements: in addition to administrative offices and study rooms covering 900 square metres, the facility will house 2,300 square metres of classrooms and 700 square metres of state-of-the-art laboratories and medical simulation technology, offering students a highly innovative learning environment. There will also be a 250-square-metre catering area.
The facilities will be handed over in stages: the first phase is scheduled for September 2026, coinciding with the start of teaching activities, whilst the entire project is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. Once fully operational, the facility will be able to accommodate around 2,600 students at the same time, helping to train future professionals in the healthcare sector.
With this project, UniCamillus is doubling its presence in the Veneto region, consolidating an academic initiative that began at the Lido di Venezia with the MSc in Medicine and Surgery, launched in collaboration with the IRCCS San Camillo and in partnership with the Villa Salus clinic in Mestre for clinical placements. The opening of the new campus in Piazzale Giustiniani responds to the growing demand for places at the University and, at the same time, reinforces the aim of creating an integrated health hub in the Venice area, capable of attracting young talent and promoting excellence in clinical training, scientific research and healthcare innovation.
“The opening of the Mestre campus, which complements our long-standing presence on the Lido of Venice, represents a crucial step in UniCamillus’s development”, says Gianni Profita, Rector of the University. “With this new campus, we are responding to the growing demand for places, which continues to rise every year, whilst at the same time making an active contribution to the pressing need to train new healthcare professionals in the country. We will offer a state-of-the-art facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology and laboratories of the highest standard. Consolidating our presence in the Venice area means strengthening our ties with a region rich in expertise and professional skills, enhancing synergies with local healthcare facilities and offering talented young medical professionals the opportunity to train and build their careers within the region”.
The transaction ensures that Central SICAF can continue to use the property, avoiding periods of inactivity following the expiry of the previous lease, whilst at the same time enabling the establishment of a new social and cultural function of significant value to the Mestre area.
Marco Bignami, CEO of Central SICAF, said: “This transaction confirms Central SICAF’s ability to enhance the value of its portfolio through solutions that combine management continuity with value creation for local communities. The project contributes, in fact, to the development of the city of Mestre, enriching the educational provision and enhancing a well-served semi-central area. The preparatory work carried out with the local council was crucial, as it enabled the project to be structured in line with the area’s growth prospects.”
Dils acted as adviser on the transaction. UniCamillus was assisted by Studio Gianni&Origoni as legal adviser, and by Turner&Townsend as technical adviser.