Porta Nuova Garibaldi is a symbol of Milan’s modern transformation

Milan, Italy

Porta Nuova Garibaldi is at the center of one of the largest urban regeneration efforts in Europe. A vibrant public-private collaboration, this sweeping transit-focused community development project transforms an abandoned industrial area into an international destination for modern urban living. We designed the largest components of this mixed-use neighborhood, including UniCredit’s headquarters, which features Italy’s tallest skyscraper, and Piazza Gae Aulenti, a modern public square with direct connection to Garibaldi Railway Station. Porta Nuova Garibaldi reconnects surrounding neighborhoods with a pedestrian-focused streetscape that celebrates Milan’s elegance and quintessential style.

40-acre

master-planned development

Art, culture, and commerce intersect at Piazza Gae Aulenti

Within the swirl of city life, Piazza Gae Aulenti is an oasis of beauty and connection. This modern circular piazza, named after the renowned Italian architect, includes four levels of shops, restaurants, cafes, and a parking garage that connects directly to Garibaldi Railway Station. To maximize natural light and ventilation, three dramatic oval shapes open at street level, offering visual interest and connection to underground floors. The piazza is elevated six meters above street level, clearing the way for active pedestrian passageways to the neighboring Isola District and Corso Como, one of Milan’s liveliest streets with iconic shopping and nightlife.

A sweeping canopy curves around the piazza, creating a pedestrian path that evokes the arcaded spaces within Milan’s historic center.

The piazza is a bustling destination for shopping, dining, and enjoying public art.

*Egg* is a permanent installation piece by artist Alberto Garutti that links all four levels of the piazza with brass pipes that transport sounds and voices from one floor to another.

“Porta Nuova Garibaldi is a reflection of how an iconic city with a significant historical legacy can navigate a period of growth in a way that’s graceful and enriching for the public realm.” — Gregg E. Jones, AIA, LEED AP

A landmark tower for the world’s capital of design and fashion

UniCredit’s headquarters is a trio of towers that includes Italy’s tallest skyscraper, stretching thirty-one stories tall and marking the skyline for Porta Nuova Garibaldi. The three narrow, curved towers shine with reflective glass, displaying a dynamic picture of the sky and city life below. An intricate glass and steel-ring canopy connects each tower’s podium, eliciting harmony and connection with Piazza Gae Aulenti. Facing the piazza, sunshades in the façade evoke lightness and fluidity.

“Joyful and optimistic, the tower’s form appears to be constantly unraveling, cascading and unfolding in on itself, occupying as little visual space as possible.” — Gregg E. Jones, AIA, LEED AP

The tower’s slender curves undulate and unfold, reflecting the depth of the sky.

90%

of occupied spaces recieve sunlight

Innovative solutions for urban, environmental, and infrastructural sustainability

The Porta Nuova Garibaldi project has become the standard for excellence in sustainable architecture. All three towers are Certified LEED Gold, delivering energy savings of over 22 percent, over 37 percent reduction in water use, and 40 percent reduction in CO2 emissions. A direct line of sunlight reaches 90 percent of the occupied spaces within each tower, and 100 percent of rainwater is recycled.