Banker and merchant Luca Pitti commissioned the palace to outdo his chief rivals, the Medici. Work started around 1457, possibly using a design by Brunelleschi, that had been rejected by Cosimo il Vecchio for being too overbearing. The Pitti's fortunes began to decline and after their financial ruin Eleonora di Toledo, wife of Cosimo I of the Medici, bought it for few coins. She had Ammannati extend the unfinished complex with two further wings at the rear. In the 17th century, the facade was extended to its final width of 205m/674feet. The building served the Grand Dukes of the Medici, Lorraine and the king of Italy as their residence.