The Milan of the Future (from a local)
Introduction
Milan is a city that in recent years has undergone great globalization not only in terms of tourism, but especially in terms of economy. Reason why we see the construction of new palaces and works of art in the open air, representing the Milan of today considered by many as the economic capital of Italy along with a few other cities in the North. These places are the protagonists of our next trip. In this guide we have Milan 2.0, the Milan of singers and influecers, of bit-coin and tik-tok.
CityLife
In our first spot we head north of the city to what are referred to as the "Three Towers," both because of the name of the subway stop, but more importantly because of "The Straight, the Crooked, the Curved," three office skyscrapers: respectively the Allianz Tower "Il Dritto" (Straight), the Generali Tower "lo Storto" (Crooked), and the Leibniz-defined Tower with PWC offices "il Curvo" (Curved).
Although the "Three Towers," are emblematic and extremely characteristic by now, of the area in which they are located they are waiting, as are all Italians and lovers of modern architecture, for the new sibling that will join them: the "Sdraiato" (Lying down), formally known as the "CityWave," which by location and size should become the gateway to the district. This new construction should surpass in difficulty and impressiveness the "brothers" that preceded it.
In this area, one of the most visited places is the park and the shopping center at the side of the towers. It is not difficult to find groups of friends, families on bikes, couples on a date; who decide to sit in the park with a piadina in hand, sunbathing, playing cards or ball, or simply discussing their day.
The apartments that overlook the park, are recognized to be some of the most expensive in the entire city. We can find in fact, the homes of some celebrities, among the most popular ones we have the home of the "Ferragnez" that is rapper Fedez and influencer Chiara Ferragni.
In case you want to enjoy something less spartan than a piadina; the mall, on the second floor, has restaurants with all kinds of cuisine, from Mexican to Japanese, even with some interregional options.
Going upstairs, for all those who decide to continue an indoor date, or simply great movie lovers, can count with one of the most famous cinemas in downtown Milan (with various options in original version and subtitles).
If you decided to head downstairs instead, you would find all the big stores, from the most luxurious to the most modest.
Moving to our left, we find ourselves in front of the Sparks Palace "Palazzo delle Scintille", which aside from being a place known for covid vaccinations at the end of the pandemic; is renowned for the events held inside: including concerts, lectures and art exhibitions.
ART in CityLife
Also within the Park we find the "Belloveso Skies," which represents the alignment of the stars on the night of the city's creation; when "Tito Livio" Titus Livy founded the city one spring night in 600 BC.
Porta Nuova
Moving toward this area we find ourselves completely east of the city center. This area is called the center of modern Milan, and the architectural work behind it has reclaimed industrial structures that have been abandoned for the past 50 years to create a completely pedestrian-friendly one. It represents the beating heart of the city economically.
This area that stretches from Milan's Porta Garibaldi train station to Piazza della Repubblica, from Porta Nuova to Palazzo Lombardia, passing through Via Melchiorre Gioia.
Starting from Piazza Venticinque Aprile, and crossing Porta Garibaldi one finds oneself in front of Milano Eataly Esmeraldo: it preserves the tradition of the old Smeraldo theater, with a new modern imprint that includes within it an immense shopping mall with the best products of the Italian territory; in addition to offering bars, restaurants, educational classrooms to learn through practice the tradition of a centuries-old cuisine; and at the same time stages for conferences and concerts.
(One of the best places to eat! They teach how to cook THE best artisanal pizza in true Italian tradition).
Continuing down Corso Como there are an endless series of good bars and restaurant interspersed with modern stores. This street is well known among young people, especially for the nightlife offer of clubs that can be found. A "typical" evening, might be to meet on Corso Como for a drink and then head together to the disco.
The best place you can go to is definitely Corso Como 10, by Carla Sozzani. This enchanting place is a fusion of fashion store, bar and Italian restaurant with an Amazonian design that transports us to a completely different habitat than the one perceived among the bars on the Corso.
Throughout the walk, one cannot fail to notice the imposing 231-meter building at the end of Corso Como: Unicredit Tower. This emblematic figure of the city can be traced back to the globalized and industrialized Milan of recent times.
Arriving below the tower, one finds oneself in what is called "Piazza Gae Aulenti", where one can find: fountain games and a collection of stores and restaurants, with in addition places to sit to finish the Venchi ice cream we just finished buying or simply rest our legs after all the shopping. In the center of the square you can see, the Solar Tree, which at night is lit up with LEDs thanks to the sunlight collected during the day. Following one of the branching streets from the square, we come to the Pavilion auditorium, covered in wood and glass, which represents the headquarters of Unicredit. In front of which, normally in winter, a skating rink open to the public is set up.
Keep walking we find ourselves at la Corte Verde on Corso Como and then at the Porta Nuova Gardens. These gardens resemble the CityLife green zone, both in appearance and activity.
We then come to observe from the park the two large buildings that, together with Gae Aulenti's palaces, tower above the square, and which, at 112 and 80 meters, make up the renowned Bosco Verticale. This pair of towers is not only known for its size and location, but above all it is the emblem of a sustainable Milan. The Bosco Verticale has won major awards over the years precisely because of the environmental impact given by the "hanging" plants, which correspond to one hectare of forest. Not only is it a great example of how sustainability can be applied at an urban level, but also for the locals it has a positive impact, reducing noise pollution and solar radiation.
In the Isola area we also find the headquarters of Google Italy.
One cannot help but pay attention and devote a little of our time to visit the House of Remembrance. A center dedicated to those who fought against the fascist and Nazi regimes, the victims of terrorism, and those who were the victims of the conflicts of the second half of the 20th century.
All of this is completely free and always open to the public.
A little to the left of the House of Memory we have Palazzo Lombardia. Just as the name presents, we have the seat of the Regional Council (being in the Region of Lombardy). This impressive building, to say the least, allows public access to the top floor, or the Belvedere floor, called such because in Italian "Belvedere" means "nice view."
Absolutely perfect for getting a view of the city and especially a view of the skyscraper complex from above!
Moving toward the Varesine district, we see the three large towers, Solaria, Solea, and Aria, soaring. With the magnificent Diamond Tower, which not only reminds us of one, because of its glass-only construction and irregular geometric shape, we can also recognize it as another emblem of the city's sustainability, which seeks through innovation a solution.
Just because there could never be a lack of culinary offerings, among the streets of the neighborhood we find one of the best cuisines in the city, only for the most refined palates: Andrea Berton's restaurant. A starred chef who has focused his cuisine in H2O Maldives' profile picture. (The whole thing can also count on a breathtaking view!).
All of this is traversed by the picturesque Via Malchiorre Gioia.
THE END
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