Piazza Velasca: Milan's Brutalist Icon Gets a Public Square by 2025

The Torre Velasca, a brutalist skyscraper designed by BBPR and a landmark of Milan's skyline, is finally getting a proper public square at its base. The redevelopment by Asti Architetti, developed by Hines with ARS Aedificandi, CEAS, ESA Engineering, and the Soprintendenza, aims to transform the previously inaccessible 'non-place' into a vibrant urban space. The project follows the restoration of the building's facades, which had lost their original iridescent pink color due to weathering. The new piazza, described as a 'secular square,' will feature pedestrianization, green areas with olive and magnolia trees, benches in wood and dark steel, and trachyte paving extending the tower's ribbed pillars. Red porphyry cubes ('sanpietrini') will be reused to connect with Via Pantano and Corso di Porta Romana. Lighting by ESA Engineering uses LEDs for energy efficiency, while two historic lamp posts by BBPR have been restored. The square is set to open in early 2025, with construction finishing by December 2024. Paolo Asti, the architect, emphasized creating a 'soft transition' from city to tower, while Mario Abbadessa of Hines highlighted the integration of business, dining, and wellness spaces within the tower. The project aligns with the '15-minute city' concept, incorporating bike-sharing and internet connectivity.