A redevelopment project that returns to the city a meeting place and connection between history and the contemporary. With green spaces, benches and modern lighting, the square becomes a green oasis with privileged pedestrian access.
The historic Piazza Velasca is undergoing a significant transformation thanks to the renovation project by the ASTI ARCHITETTI studio, developed by HINES. This square, located near the famous Torre Velasca, will become a privileged pedestrian area, a green oasis that will open up to the city and serve the citizens.
The Torre Velasca, a symbol of Milan, is undergoing a redevelopment work curated by Asti Architetti and developed by Hines, which will bring it back into dialogue with the city through the renewed square. This space will be conceived as a meeting place between the private and the public. After completing the work on the facades and the restoration of the interiors, still in progress, the new Piazza Velasca will complete a complex project aimed at reviving a symbol of Milan and transforming it into a meeting place and social gathering. The pedestrian access to the building, the recovery of previously unused spaces and the street furniture will give the city back a new open area that reappropriates the true meaning of "square" for the Milanese.
The square, which will be completed by the beginning of 2024, aims to enhance one of the symbols of Italian architecture, offering a space enriched by benches and green areas characterized by ornamental elements that change with the seasons. These green areas will be built with underground tanks containing trees such as olive trees and magnolias.
The regeneration project of the Torre Velasca and the surrounding square is curated by the Asti Architetti studio, in collaboration with ARS Aedificandi, the CEAS studio, ESA Engineering and in continuous dialogue with the Archaeological, Fine Arts and Landscape Superintendence of Milan. The project was developed according to the highest standards of environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.
Paolo Asti, architect in charge of the project, stated: “In designing Piazza Velasca, my intention was to restore the connection between the Tower and the surrounding environment to the city. The Torre Velasca has always been a point of reference on the Milan skyline, but it has never really been part of the daily life of the Milanese, who have had difficulty creating a direct link with their tower. The "foot" of the Tower has always been perceived as an indefinite place which has prevented a harmonious relationship between the building and the surrounding neighborhood. We therefore designed a space of respect for the Tower itself, a sort of "secular churchyard" that would enhance its dimensions and architectural features, fostering a continuous link with the city. A place of rest for the mind and heart, but also a place of identity and fruitful for the city, with an eye to the sky", underlines Paolo Asti.
The project for Piazza Velasca is inspired by the principles of conservation and enhancement of the square, respecting the Torre Velasca and the surrounding architectural context. A strong boost to pedestrianization and improvement of environmental quality is expected.
Mario Abbadessa, senior managing director and country head of Hines in Italy, said: “This new phase of the project represents a fundamental element in the complex process of recovery and enhancement of the Torre Velasca, giving back to the square its true function and a role in the urban and social fabric of the city. Just as the BBPR studio was the promoter of a new architecture capable of communicating with the existing after the war, we want to renew this exchange with the city, transforming the space into a destination not only to see and visit, but also to experience, with a of socializing and sharing. Torre Velasca itself will come back to life, recovering and revitalizing its original functions in a sustainable way, in full respect of its characteristics, and enriching itself with new spaces open to the public, such as areas for business, catering and well-being ".
The paving of the square will reveal the charm of some stone designs and materials typical of the squares in the historic center of Milan. It will be made of large trachyte slabs, creating an ideal extension of the ribbed pillars of the Torre Velasca in the four sectors surrounding the building. The asphalt present in the whole area will be completely removed. In particular, the famous red porphyry cubes, known as "Sanpietrini", which are currently found in the connecting portions between the square and the Tower, along via Pantano and Corso di Porta Romana, will be reused in the new flooring, creating an element of continuity with the pedestrianization of Via Velasca. The sidewalks surrounding the square will be lined and delimited by medium-sized granite slabs and curbs.
In the reorganization of the spaces, the bike sharing service of the Municipality of Milan will also be introduced. The Torre Velasca will integrate completely into the contemporary concept of the "15-minute city", with light mobility infrastructures and internet connection, exploiting the surrounding spaces as places to stop, relax and even work. The character of the new square, developed through a careful study of the urban context, will also be emphasized by the lighting project curated by ESA Engineering, which will guarantee a reduction in energy consumption and high light quality.
The two historic lampposts designed by BBPR will be the subject of restoration and conservative rehabilitation of all elements. Furthermore, the other light sources will be equipped with latest generation LEDs, thus guaranteeing modern and efficient lighting.
The new Piazza Velasca, as stated by Paolo Asti, will therefore represent a necessary urban mending between the city and the Tower. It will be a welcoming and accessible space for citizens, where they can enjoy moments of relaxation, stroll through green areas and sit on the benches in wood and dark steel. It will also be a meeting and socializing point, where people can share experiences, work or simply enjoy the unique atmosphere of this historic place.
The Piazza Velasca project was created by the Asti Architetti studio in collaboration with ARS Aedificandi, the CEAS studio and ESA Engineering. Throughout the development process, constant dialogue was maintained with the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Milan, in order to ensure full compliance with the conservation and enhancement standards of the city's historical-architectural heritage.
The project focused not only on the aesthetic aspect, but also on environmental and energy sustainability. Solutions have been adopted to reduce the environmental impact, such as the use of quality materials and the use of efficient lighting technologies. In this way, Piazza Velasca will become not only a place of great historical and architectural value, but also an example of sustainable design.
The square will be completed by the beginning of 2024, thus offering the citizens of Milan a new public space of great relevance and beauty. With its redevelopment, Piazza Velasca will become a point of reference for the city, a place of life and connection between the Tower and the local community. It will be a symbol of rebirth and transformation, helping to strengthen the identity and appeal of Milan as a modern and welcoming city.
The project was made possible thanks to the commitment and collaboration of Hines, who invested in the enhancement of Torre Velasca and in the creation of a new urban space of great value for the city. Thanks to this initiative, Milan will have a unique place where history, architecture and contemporary life come together, helping to make the city even more fascinating and lively.
project info
Address: Piazza Velasca 3-5 – Milan (MI)
Chronology:
design: 1950 - 1955
construction: 1956 – 1958
reference date: 1950 – 1958
restoration work: 2020-2023
Authors:
project: BBPR
construction management: Studio Rivolta and Orlandini
structural project: Arturo Danusso
execution: Sogene – General Real Estate Company
construction management: Sogene – General Real Estate Company
restoration work:
architectural project, Superintendence authorizations and administrative titles: Asti Architetti
facade restoration project and authorizations Superintendency: Asti Architetti – CEAS
DL restoration of facades and structures: CEAS
plant project and DL: ESA Engineering
architectural restoration executive project: Studio Fontana
General construction management: Jacobs Italia
Client:
Rice – Reconstruction of Spa Building Compartments (1950-1955)
Hines European Value Fund (HEVF) as investor of the HEVF Milan 1 fund currently managed by Prelios SGR SpA and owner of Torre Velasca (2020-2023)
Hines Italy: development manager (2020-2023)
Construction characteristics of the original project
facilities: reinforced concrete beams and pillars; reinforced brick floors with parallel and crossed ribs
facade: plaster based on a mixture of terracotta grit and stones (exposed walls); yellow-red clinker elements with Veronese marble chips (prefabricated panels)
covers: pitched, with copper mantle
windows: up and down, in burnished anodized aluminium; in aluminum and wood on the residential floors
