The electronic properties of the neutral, positively and negatively charged bare Au₅₅, passivated Au₅₅(PH₃)₁₂, Au₅₅(PH₃)₁₂Cl₆, and solvated Au₅₅(PH₃)₁₂Cl₆ 54 H₂O clusters are studied using density functional theory. The presence of Cl atoms in the ligand shell favors a non-metallic behavior while a more metallic behavior is induced by explicit solvation of Au₅₅(PH₃)₁₂Cl₆ with water molecules. The trends observed in the electronic properties upon ligation and solvation are in agreement with experimental studies.