Sanlorenzo’s New 243-Foot Flagship Has a Palatial 3,200-Square-Foot Owner’s Deck

Who says big can’t also be elegant and refined? Certainly not Sanlorenzo, which launched its first 74Steel megayacht from its shipyard in La Spezia. The new 243-foot flagship isn’t just about Sanlorenzo’s ability to build ever-larger vessels, but more about smart design. The Italian builder has been on a roll with innovative design in recent launches such as the SL110A and SP92, but the 74Steel with its angular, tiered profile and vertical bow looks more like a bespoke yacht from a Northern European yard than the Sanlorenzo’s other vessels.

Designer Bernardo Zuccon uses the phrase, “machines à habiter,” or “machines for living in,” to describe the new flagship. It’s a concept made popular by French architect Le Corbusier in 1927 who mandated that houses should be designed like efficient machines, focusing on functionality and harmonious living, where the owner’s needs are prioritized over unnecessary decorative flourishes or architectural grandstanding. As such, Zuccon, notes, the 74Steel is simple, elegant and useful. “This project marks a decisive change of scale in floating architecture,” he says.

That comes through with several standout features across the vessel. One of the most obvious is the owner’s deck, measuring an impressive 3,200 square feet, inside and out. The interior, itself 1,400 square feet, includes the owner’s lounge and office, two spa-inspired en suites with a standalone bathtub in one, and a king-sized bed overlooking the private forward terrace.

Then there’s the beach club area at the stern, with a pool serving as the ceiling that delivers dappled light and a beautiful blue glow to the room below. The wellness area includes a gym with a fold-down platform, massage room, wood-paneled sauna, hammam plunge pool and a family room. Back on the swim platform, the side bulwarks fold outwards to create a larger exterior space.

The interior design by Francesco Paszkowski in collaboration with Margherita Casprini incorporates furniture with strong curves, rugs with shapes that define the spaces in a non-traditional manner. “The interiors are dominated by matte wood finishes, giving the yacht a natural, refined feel, while more eclectic materials bring vibrancy and uniqueness to the various spaces,” says Casprini. “Each ensuite bathroom, for example, features a different variety of marble with colors and textures that are carried through into the artwork on board.” The owner of the first 74Steel wanted this particular look, while the others on two others that have been sold want different identities for their yachts.

The boat is a pre-engineered platform, meaning the owners can’t make structural changes, but it also translates to stability and optimal performance. The engineers and designers created unique spaces, including the sundeck, which has a fire pit, hot tub, and a bar/galley with al-fresco dining that can be customized. The Sky Lounge meanwhile has a traditional lounge and an open aft deck that provides a large but separate social area. The main deck has five guest suites, including a VIP with its own living room, as well as a lounge and dining area.

The first two vessels have diesel-electric propulsion system, which have been designed by Sanlorenzo in collaboration with Siemens Energy to maximize efficiency. The system also frees up some interior space that can be devoted to the owners and guests. The system includes six variable-speed Volvo Penta-Mase generators driving twin Schottel E-Pods that are rated 1,000kW each. The yacht also has a special air-conditioning system—often one the largest power draws on a vessel—that regulates how much cool air is delivered across the yacht, depending on whether the rooms are occupied or not.

“With the 74Steel, we’re challenging the idea that size equals excess,” said Massimo Perotti, chairman and CEO of the Sanlorenzo Group in a statement. “We’re demonstrating that we can apply the same refinement and precision you’d expect from Sanlorenzo, even in this new, larger category.”

This article originally appeared in Robb Report US.