The Augustinians founded the church and convent, and construction began in 1252. After a Florentine victory over Milan in 1397, the signoria decided to rebuild it in honor of St. Augustine. Filippo Brunelleschi began designs around 1428 and was retained in 1434. He died in 1446, and Antonio Manetti, Giovanni da Gaiole and Salvi d'Andrea carried on, with Salvi building the cupola. The infobox gives groundbreaking in 1444, consecration in 1481 and completion in 1487.
The article calls the main church Renaissance. It has a Latin cross plan and is 318 feet (97 m) long, with side chapels in same-sized niches around the perimeter. Brunelleschi planned forty niches, but there are 38 chapels because two became doors. His facade was never built and was left blank.
Giuliano da Sangallo designed the sacristy in 1489. The exterior was restored in 1977 and 1978. The article gives no visiting details.
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