At the Cannes Yachting Festival, ISA Yachts – a renowned Italian brand part of the Palumbo Superyacht Group – showcased their latest jewel: the 45 m Gran Turismo.
Despite the three decks and a gross tonnage of 432, the ISA GT 45 superyacht has a remarkably sleek profile. Francesco Carbone, ISA Yacht’s general manager, emphasised that achieving this was not easy: it required a substantial design effort.
The sleek aesthetics are the result of a meticulously crafted exterior design, created by an Italian yacht design studio. Additionally, the carpentry work executed by the skilled artisans at ISA Yachts played a crucial role in shaping the boat’s smoothness and elegance.
Speed Numbers
The Gran Turismo boasts a robust steel hull and an aluminium superstructure, housing two CAT C32 ACERT engines: each generates 1300 horsepower, propelling the yacht to a top speed of 15.4 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots.
These speed numbers are the result of a deliberate choice made by the yard: the dislocating hull is especially conceived for long and comfortable cruising.
The superyacht features 4 VIP cabins, accommodating up to 12 guests and can host a crew of 9.
The partners
This vessel stays true to the historic Ancona shipyard’s DNA, blending sophisticated naval engineering with graceful lines and a contemporary design. Palumbo Superyachts handled the naval engineering, while the exterior lines were designed by Enrico Gobbi – Team for Design, who rethought the distinctive ISA Yacht’s arcs that connect the three decks. The interior design was penned by Luca Dini Design & Architecture.
The result is a fusion of detailed interiors characterised by warm tones with a modern touch, and many design objects that elevate the onboard experience.
Lounge area and Beach club
On board the ISA GT 45, the lounge area is elevated with a small step, a design solution that creates a multi-level arrangement emphasising the lounge area’s significance.
The lounge’s sitting area extends toward the stern, culminating in a pool with a unique feature for a superyacht of this size: a glass-bottom floor that allows natural light to stream into the beach club, located one deck below. This infusion of natural light creates an interplay of illumination in the beach club, where Paola Lenti’s chaise longues beckon guests to unwind.
What makes this area even more versatile is its transformation capability, as it can seamlessly convert into a gym, complete with bathroom and shower facilities. Additionally, the beach club offers a scuba diving area and access for the crew to the side-opening starboard garage, which houses a 5 m Castoldi jet tender.
At the bow, another garage stores an array of water toys, ensuring endless entertainment possibilities for those on board.
This lower deck not only houses the engine room but also features four VIP guest cabins, two of which include two single sliding beds that can be merged to create a spacious double bed. The crew areas are discreetly nestled in this section, ensuring a seamless and unobtrusive experience for the guests.
Main saloon
Returning to the main deck, access to the main salon is granted through a gracefully curved semicircular window. This curvature, a recurring theme in the ISA GT 45‘s design, is also evident in the integrated staircase structure that leads to the upper and sundeck.
Upon entering the main salon, guests are greeted by two backlit panels adorned with golden coloured aluminium plates featuring a geometric pattern that infuses the room with a pop touch. This motif represents another distinctive design feature commonly encountered in superyacht interiors.
The main saloon is adorned by design objects such as Knoll’s armchair and coffee table, B&B Italia sofa and coffee table, and Davide Froppi’s floor lamp table.
The interior ambiance is in a soothing colour palette, primarily in shades of oak and sand, with accents of turquoise in the upholstery. Natural oak floors, thoughtfully arranged in an irregular pattern, give a sense of spaciousness.
Light oak wood slats interspersed with bands of black lacquered wood grace the walls and ceilings, adding a sense of richness while maintaining a perfect equilibrium in each area.
The owner’s area
Continuing forward through a well-appointed lobby we meet the owner’s area, that merges luxury yacht design and comfort. First we encounter the owner’s lounge, followed by a welcoming desk that can be used as a small floating office: it leads the way to the expansive owner’s cabin, which is equipped with a fixed balcony (a feature that contrasts with the current trend of folding balconies).
This intentional choice emphasises the boat’s commitment to providing owners with a homely experience and it enables owners to independently enjoy stunning views without requiring assistance from the crew.
The room features a TV behind a mirror and a gracefully curved piece of furniture. A dressing room with vertical panels and handle-free openings adds to the cabin’s allure.
The bathroom is adorned with white marble and features stylish bath faucets from the “Equilibrio” series by Italian brand Gessi, a series born from the collaboration between designer Giuseppe Maurizio Scutellà and artist-philosopher Marsel Lesko.
In the owner’s cabin, a selection of furnishings from the international design world enhances the sense of opulence.
These include a Poltrona Frau Fred desk with camel-coloured leather and an ash wengè structure, a Poltrona Frau Ginger armchair in camel and white leather, and a Maxalto vanity chair.
The lighting choices have been equally meticulous, featuring two Flos lamps: the Tab Floor in matte black and a golden vanity lamp. The bedside lamps are Oluce’s Atollo 238, complete with a golden structure.
For the owner’s convenience, there is a private access to the lounge area at the fore of the upper deck.
Upper deck
On the upper deck there is a private lounge, a secluded haven of comfort and relaxation. Toward the bow, where the curving lines of the hull meet, we find an easily deployable crane designed to launch the rescue tender stowed just below.
Ascending a few steps, we encounter an area sheltered by a windscreen: an additional lounge area adorned with bimini shades, that offers sofas encircling a cantilever-mounted table.
The table can be effortlessly lowered, transforming the area into a spacious solarium, perfect for basking in the sun and enjoying the sea breeze.
The upper deck also boasts two wing stations, a crucial feature that simplifies docking operations in port. The wheelhouse, with a contemporary ambiance, is connected to the captain’s quarters and a small office.
Dining area
Moving amidship, we reach the dining area. Circular windows surround this space, maintaining the curvature we observed one deck below. This semicircular windows design allows for various configurations, seamlessly merging indoor and outdoor spaces.
Guests can opt to keep the windows open and deploy sliding vertical panels to create shade and enjoy the open air; alternatively, they can choose a closed-window setting, maintaining a climate-controlled environment while still savouring visual continuity with the exterior surroundings.
The outdoor lounge sitting area adjacent to the dining area is equipped with structural sofas, Minotti’s armchairs, two Paola Lenti’s coffee tables, and several poufs from Tribu.
This setup offers a cosy space for relaxation and socialising while enjoying the breathtaking views.
Sundeck
On the sundeck, a bar with a panoramic view of the bow creates the perfect atmosphere for enjoying a refreshing beverage.
A spacious table and relaxation area ensure that guests can unwind while revelling in the sights and sounds of the open sea.
The upper deck of the ISA GT 45 seamlessly blends sophistication and functionality, making it the ideal setting for moments of leisure and enjoyment.
Team for Design is a creative superyacht design firm established in 2005 and based in Venice (Italy), hometown of Team for Design’s chief designer Enrico Gobbi: the city has significantly influenced the designer’s professional formation, leading him to foster a strong connection both with architecture and water. After graduating from the University of Architecture in Venice (IUAV), Gobbi further specialised in Yacht Design and embarked on a career in the marine industry, working for years with renowned design companies and shipyards. He eventually emerged as the creative mind behind Team for Design, that brings together many minds with diverse perspectives on design and architecture from all over the world. The motto of the studio is “All is possible: we draw your dreams…with a realistic vision”. Team for Design’s activities include exterior and interior design of custom superyachts and serial production yachts, beginning from the conceptual drawings up to the executive phase and project management during construction.
In Florence (Italy), LUCA DINI Design & Architecture (established by Luca Dini in 1996) has left an indelible mark on the echelons of ultra-high luxury, spanning the realms of the sea, sky, and land. The studio is infusing each project with the city’s rich artisanal heritage, cultural opulence, and unwavering commitment to beauty and perfection. Today, Luca Dini Design & Architecture can rely on the contribution of over 300 external collaborations and a team of more than 50 professionals, including architects, yacht designers, interior designers, naval and civil engineers, fabric and furniture designers, and 3D animators. The international studio has a wide know-how from yacht design to private residences, marinas and hotels. Visionary ideas transform into ambitious projects, such as the island of Sindalah, part of the ambitious Saudi Arabian’s project Neom. In addition to the headquarters in Florence, Luca Dini Design & Architecture boasts an office and showroom in Forte dei Marmi and will soon open new offices in Riyadh and Neom to oversee projects in that region.
Dedicated to producing forward-thinking superyachts made only with superior quality materials, ISA Yachts is a global superyacht and megayachts builder. The aim is to design every ISA superyacht to her owner’s briefs and build it using the highest technology, the best quality materials and the finest furnishings and finishes. ISA Yachts, an excellence in style and high-end construction, has made quite a name for itself by pushing the boundaries of yacht building and succeeding at every turn. Currently two 66 m yachts and an 80 m, which will be the new ISA Yachts flagships, are being built. ISA Yachts is part of Palumbo Superyachts network, which also includes Columbus Yachts, Mondomarine and Extra Yachts.
