Starbucks has announced plans to open its first Starbucks Roastery in Europe.

The US-headquartered coffee giant has chosen a historic building on Piazza Cordusio in Milan, which will be remodelled and restored before the outlet opens in late 2018.

The Milan Reserve Roastery will be the fifth top open globally after Seattle, Shanghai, New York and Tokyo.

Located at the historic turn-of-the-century Palazzo Delle Poste building on Piazza Cordusio, this one-of-a-kind 25,500 sqft retail space will feature the company’s premium, small-batch Reserve coffees served in a variety of brewing methods.  

“It took us some time to find it, but once I walked through the former Post Office building, I knew that it would be the perfect location to honor the craft of coffee and pay respect to the uniquely Italian culture in which it will be served,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman and CEO.

“This store will be the culmination of a great dream of mine – 34 years in the making – to return to Milan with one of the most immersive, magical retail experiences in the world.”

At a recent Investor Day, Starbucks announced its ongoing investment in the premium Reserve brand, including opening 20 to 30 Roastery locations around the world, over time.

“This new location will be designed specifically for the Milanese customer, integrating the world-famous theatre of coffee in Italy and will offer freshly baked food on site from Italian artisan baker Rocco Princi, the exclusive food provider for all new global Roastery locations,”the company said in a statement.

Following the Roastery opening, Italian licensee and business partner Percassi will open a small number of Starbucks stores in Milan for the balance of 2018.  Each new store will be designed and curated to respect the local community and unique Milanese context.

“Taking a respectful and measured approach to store openings is at the heart of the Starbucks strategy in Italy,” said the statement.