17 January 2022
From Porta Nuova to Portello, the city of Milan is a gem for fans of futuristic architecture and not only that: there can be no doubt that Milan is the most modern face of the Italian peninsula and can boast of some of the best new and redeveloped districts in the past few years.
We are speaking for example of CityLife: a project that was launched in 2004, with the works starting three years later, thanks to the financial support of the Generali and Allianz Groups, and with the participation of world famous architects, such as Daniel Libeskind, Arata Isozaki and Zaha Hadid. The area has thus been transformed into one of the most modern in Milan, a place that is trendy and fascinates with its futuristic shapes.
An impressive action of architectonic and urban regeneration in Milan, Porta Nuova is, in the same way as CityLife, a recently redeveloped part of the city, now known all over the world for its cathedrals of hi-tech: we are talking about the famous skyscrapers that have made the Milanese skyline iconic and unmistakable.
To get to know even more the city of Milan is what motivates the team of Neiade Tour & Events and, in this case too, there is no lack of encounters – in presence and virtual – dedicated to the routes chosen to show the most contemporary side of Milan.
Let’s start then on a journey through the new districts of Milan!
Here are 5 routes to admire the innovations of the new districts of modern Milan
1. Guided tour among the skyscrapers of Porta Nuova
The corresponding stop on the Milan underground (Metropolitana Milanese) is Garibaldi FS, on both the green and the lilac lines: once you go up the steps that lead to street level, the sight is truly spectacular! Just outside the Garibaldi Station, in Milan, the futuristic circular square dedicated to Gae Aulenti awaits us: with shops of every kind and bars, the plaza welcomes us with a fascinating sight; the three fountains with water features and changing lights! On this guided tour, it is worth looking skywards: you will admire the glass giants of Porta Nuova, such as the Unicredit Tower and the Diamantone, and more as well… Just a few steps away, the sinuous structure of the Auditorium Pavilion takes you by surprise before reaching the foot of the famous Bosco Verticale (Vertical Wood), designed by the architect Stefano Boeri. This skyscraper is truly unique, the result of an architectural idea characterized by environmental sustainability. Do you want to relax? You can enjoy a pleasant break in the open air in the park of the Library of Trees, before continuing to the night life area in Corso Como.
2. Virtual Meeting: The Bosco Verticale by Stefano Boeri
Do you want to explore and get to know modern Milanese architecture, even when it is not easy to move around? Neiade Tour & Experience will take you to Milan, to the foot – or nearly! – of the majestic Bosco Verticale. In this virtual meeting, practically accessible from any device connected to the Internet, you will discover everything about the “green” skyscraper designed by the firm of the architect Stefano Boeri. Inspired by the themes of biodiversity and environmental and energetic sustainability, Boeri has created an architectonic masterpiece, a skyscraper made up of two towers, the facades of which are lushly verdant thanks to 94 different plant species which have found their ideal habitat there. The two exclusive residences, occupied by VIPs and celebrities, are looked after by a team of truly unique gardeners: the Flying Gardeners!
3. A walk at dusk in the Porta Nuova area
Are the lights of the golden hour perfect for your photos? Then what could be better than an exclusive guided walking tour through the towering skyscrapers of Porta Nuova, even more beautiful under the flame-red sky of the sunset in Milan? After having admired (and immortalized) the architectonic masterpieces by the starchitects, walk towards Corso Como, the nightlife area of Porta Nuova: aperitif time is now and there is nothing better than an aperitif with buffet to enjoy Milan like a real Milanese!
4. CityLife: guided tour through its dizzyingly high skyscrapers
We cannot miss out the very modern area of CityLife from the new parts of Milan. Did you know that CityLife is the result of the largest urban redevelopment project in Europe? Yes, another record for the city of Milan! This project, which has come to life in the old area of the Milan Exhibition grounds, has a number of routes, by the great international architects. On this walk to discover CityLife, we will admire the three skyscrapers – the Straight one, the Crooked one and the Curved one – the fruit of the minds of Libeskind, Zaha Hadid and Isozaki, but more as well! We will show you the exclusive Libeskind residences, which look on to the park of CityLife, and the particular Zaha Hadid residences, – where the famous Ferragnez couple live! – with their unique shapes which recall those of a luxury ocean cruiser. With green squares and pedestrian routes, the area also offers a shopping centre, we are talking about the CityLife Shopping District, where you can go shopping in the more than 80 stores, eat in the various restaurants or watch a film in one of the seven cinemas of the Anteo CityLife cinema.
5. Discovering the Portello area, guided tour
Where the Alfa Romeo factory used to stand in Milan, today there is something completely different: the Portello area is full of modernity! On this guided tour, we will take you, during a pleasant walk, to discover this futuristic corner of the city: we start from Viale de Gasperi to plunge into the greenery of the Helix Hill, crowned, at the top, by a statue in the form of DNA… from there is it easy to identify some landmarks of the area, such as the old buildings of the Fondazione Gnocchi, the impressing building of Casa Milan. Very close by, there is also the area of CityLife and the nearby halls of FieraMilanoCity, with its futuristic roof.
If you want to discover more about other parts of Milan with its many different faces, read this article as well: The parts of Milan to visit and which you absolutely cannot miss.
