Porta Nuova is a vibrant, futuristic neighbourhood that overlooks some of Milan’s most traditional districts: Garibaldi, Brera and Isola. A perfect place to explore the new soul of the city, which has become one of Milan’s tourist landmarks. Hi-tech shops, clothing and accessories shops, bookshops, restaurants and cafés, pizzerias and nightclubs, but also offices and residences characterise this district, which is built around the large elevated Gae Aulenti square.

Jewels of vertical architecture
Although it is called Porta Nuova, its name is anything but new: from its origins, in fact, it has been part of the city’s identity because it was one of the six gateways to Milan. This historic, once industrial area was the subject of a major and complex redevelopment plan between 2005 and 2015 that transformed it into Milan’s most futuristic district, redesigning and redefining its skyline and character. The urban revitalisation project involved several internationally renowned architectural firms (Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associated, Boeri Studio and others).
The complex has more than twenty buildings including skyscrapers, offices, cultural centres and urban villas, characterised by considerable height and strong architectural impact. These include the Unicredit Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Italy; the Solaria Tower, the tallest residential skyscraper in the country; the Diamante Tower, with its characteristic square shape; the Bosco Verticale, with its hanging gardens.

Contemporary park, for a green city
The centre of gravity of the entire area is the public park called BAM Biblioteca degli Alberi, the third largest in the city, designed to offer a large number of interconnected pedestrian paths and to create a true botanical library. This contemporary garden covers an area of 90,000 sq.m. and has an incredible plant heritage: more than 100 botanical species, 500 trees forming 22 circular forests and 135,000 plants including aromatic plants, hedges, shrubs, bulbs, creepers, aquatic plants and herbaceous plants. In addition, the park is equipped with recreational areas, themed circular forests, educational and walking trails and bicycle paths. In summer, it is also used for outdoor concerts and events.
Also part of the Porta Nuova complex, overlooking BAM Biblioteca degli Alberi, are the two residential towers of Bosco Verticale, designed by Stefano Boeri. One tower measures 110 metres high by 24 storeys, and the other 76 metres high by 17 storeys. The peculiarity of these buildings built between 2009 and 2014 is the presence of about 900 trees on the 8900 sq.m. of terraces. In addition to private residences and offices, the Bosco Verticale also includes collective spaces, a swimming pool, gymnasium and features solar panels and other geothermal heating solutions.

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