The Porta Nuova urban regeneration project in Milan continues, and it does so in full swing, becoming the first district in the world to obtain dual LEED® and WELL® for Community certification for environmental and social sustainability, and one of the leading business centres in Italy.
The sector to the north adjacent to Via Melchiorre Gioia sees the completion of Pirelli 35, the former Telecom Italia headquarters that has been entirely redeveloped, and the structures of the East Tower of Portals, the elevation of which has been completed on schedule. The latter will be entirely leased to KPMG, which, once completed, will make it its main office in Milan, accommodating up to 3,500 professionals.
Pirelli 35 and I Portali are part of the urban regeneration project of Porta Nuova Gioia, subject to a unitary masterplan that includes the developments of Pirelli 32, Pirelli 39, Gioia 22 and the related neighbouring areas, for which the Municipality of Milan and COIMA SGR have signed an agreement for the redevelopment of public and pedestrian areas.
Among these, the development of Torre Gioia 22, the largest national nZEB building designed by the American firm PCPA and home to Intesa Sanpaolo’s new Isybank and three Private divisions, has recently been completed.
Says Manfredi Catella, Founder and CEO of COIMA: “Porta Nuova is a district that, by helping to connect Brera, Isola and the historic business centre of the city of Milan, has become one of the largest intermodal mobility hubs in the country. The quality of the buildings constructed over time, with a focus on energy performance aligned with the Paris Treaty targets, together with the service and cultural activities developed with the Biblioteca degli Alberi civic project, has contributed to making Porta Nuova the leading destination for Italian and international companies.
The finalised post-Covid leases, covering more than 70,000 sqm, have substantially completed the office space currently available in Porta Nuova, recording a rental growth of up to more than 30% compared to Pre-Covid levels”.
The completion of the elevation of the structures of the East Gateway Tower was recently celebrated with the laying of the Italian flag on the roof of the building, during which, in addition to Manfredi Catella, the architectural studios and companies that contributed to the redevelopment of Pirelli 35 – architects Michele Rossi for Studio Park Associati and Peter French for Snøhetta with Andrea Maraschin – participated, General Technical Director of Carron – as well as the design and construction of the Portals – architects Patricia Viel and Antonio Citterio of ACPV Architects Gianfranco Simonetto, President of Gruppo ICM.
Michele Rossi, partner and co-founder of Park Associati: “Unlike the existing historical building, the new building is conceived as an open project that connects two urban areas – Piazza Einaudi and Via Bordoni – creating a spacious, walkable courtyard. The permeability of the building is a key element of the project; the area of intervention becomes a place of frequentation and transit for those moving between the Porta Nuova district and the neighbouring areas, favouring the activity and identity of a neighbourhood that has already established itself as one of the city’s major poles of attraction“.
Antonio Citterio, President of ACPV ARCHITECTS: “The rigorous volumetry, which becomes an urban exception to be measured against, and the grid on the façade, an element of synthesis between structure and technology, are the very identity of the project. The Portals are part of a landscape of innovation, not only technical, but also typological“.
Patricia Viel, CEO of ACPV ARCHITECTS: “The intervention finally makes the public space complementary to the built environment, and not just an accessory infrastructure: the organisation of the architectural artefacts, with their footprint on the ground and their size, will allow the entire area to become an urban catalyst, accessible and welcoming. We have brought the architectural character of Milanese modernity back to this district of European Milan”.
For both developments COIMA SGR coordinated the project as asset manager, while COIMA REM acted as development & construction manager for the technical management of the urban development and construction.
For more information visit www.coima.com, www.parkassociati.com and www.acpvarchitects.com.
