In 1698, after acquiring part of the Vistarini residence, Antonio Barni commissioned architect Domenico Sartorio - father of brothers Michele and Piergiacomo - to restore the old building. The imposing Baroque-style building that emerged is embellished with pilasters that symmetrically divide the façade. The original layout had three entrances above which precious wrought-iron railings still exist today. The finest interior rooms, frescoed with important paintings depicting mythological scenes and historical events, hosted a number of illustrious people visiting the city, such as the King of Sardinia, Carlo Emanuele, who visited in 1743.