Province of Venice
In 1860, Laura Moschini, wife of the Dalmatian Luigi Ivancich, bought the Palazzo Ferro and transformed it into one of the most elegant and comfortable hotels in Venice, originally called the New York Hotel, and later the Grand Hotel. In the years that followed the Ivancich family acquired the Palazzo Fini and gradually integrated it with the Palazzo Ferro. Around the end of the 19th century and start of the 20th century the luxury hotel was at its peak, with royal apartments and prestigious suites occupied by the rich and famous. During World War II the hotel was occupied first by German troops and then by Americans. After the war the hotel remained in the state of decay, with only minor repairs. The Ivancich family retained ownership until 1972 when the property was purchased by the Province of Venice, then transferred to the Region of Venice, which undertook extensive renovations.