San Fedele, history becomes contemporary

A symbol of Milanese cultural and financial tradition comes back to life.

27/05/2019

San Fedele image first block content

The requalifaction of this historical gem, designed by the architectural firm Studio Asti Architetti, will enable San Fedele to recover its majestic essence, preserving the elegance and aesthetics of its original environments, while also enriching them through an intervention focusing on sustainable innovation.

During a time in history when important Milanese urban areas are being requalified and brought back to a new state of beauty, the city center, rich in antique buildings often left to languish in obsolescence, finds itself at the focus of the process aimed at the recovery of past splendors which are now becoming interwoven with sustainability and modernity. It is in this context that the regeneration of palazzo San Fedele is under way, at the hands of Coima, which has extensive expertise in sustainable renovation projects as proven by its track record which counts Palazzo Aporti, Gioiaotto and the ex Unilever tower on Via Bonnet, now almost completed, amongs its noteworthy recent projects.

Right in the heart of late nineteenth century Milanese culture, and center of the business world, after housing, over the years, the historic Teatro Manzoni and two leading financial groups, San Fedele stands in the piazza bearing its own name, in front of an elegant church also bearing its name. What distinguishes this city icon most of all is its urban contest, in that it is surrounded by the most renowned architectural splendors of the city center. At a glance, we see Palazzo Marino and Piazza Della Scala, with its theater serving as the fulcrum of Milanese culture, renowned throughout the world for over two hundred years and an iconic destination for visitors and music and theater enthusiasts. From there, we see the entrance to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the classical and majestic face of a vintage Milan which even today continues to stand out for its classic ambience and commercial traditions which were born right here and which have made this city an international point of reference. Just a few steps away is the Duomo, which dominates the surrounding cityscape with its spires, and Santa Radegonda, a classic old street of energy and commerce which closes the triangle, bringing us back to the piazza.

The requalifaction of this historical gem, designed by the architectural firm Studio Asti Architetti, will enable San Fedele to recover its majestic essence, preserving the elegance and aesthetics of its original environments, while also enriching them through an intervention focusing on sustainable innovation.

During a time in history when important Milanese urban areas are being requalified and brought back to a new state of beauty, the city center, rich in antique buildings often left to languish in obsolescence, finds itself at the focus of the process aimed at the recovery of past splendors which are now becoming interwoven with sustainability and modernity. It is in this context that the regeneration of palazzo San Fedele is under way, at the hands of Coima, which has extensive expertise in sustainable renovation projects as proven by its track record which counts Palazzo Aporti, Gioiaotto and the ex Unilever tower on Via Bonnet, now almost completed, amongs its noteworthy recent projects.

Right in the heart of late nineteenth century Milanese culture, and center of the business world, after housing, over the years, the historic Teatro Manzoni and two leading financial groups, San Fedele stands in the piazza bearing its own name, in front of an elegant church also bearing its name. What distinguishes this city icon most of all is its urban contest, in that it is surrounded by the most renowned architectural splendors of the city center. At a glance, we see Palazzo Marino and Piazza Della Scala, with its theater serving as the fulcrum of Milanese culture, renowned throughout the world for over two hundred years and an iconic destination for visitors and music and theater enthusiasts. From there, we see the entrance to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the classical and majestic face of a vintage Milan which even today continues to stand out for its classic ambience and commercial traditions which were born right here and which have made this city an international point of reference. Just a few steps away is the Duomo, which dominates the surrounding cityscape with its spires, and Santa Radegonda, a classic old street of energy and commerce which closes the triangle, bringing us back to the piazza.

San Fedele image second block content

The beauty of San Fedele reflects the context that embraces it, starting from its refined neoclassical facade. Its linearity carresses our glance while the rigor of its structure is softened by the sweeping windows opening onto the piazza, lending airiness and light, but more importantly, creating a space serving as nexus between the exterior and interior of the building, reminiscent of an open passageway, beckoning us to enter. Here the city is reflected in the windows and, in a certain sense, supersedes them, creating a harmonious link with the palazzo and becoming interwoven with the life of its inhabitants.

San Fedele image first block content

The building's interiors have been significantly renovated, but will continue to feature their intriguing historic elements such as the antique bank vault and the stairways leading up to the dome and, a gem of rare elegance, the splendid terrace overlooking the piazza which, on its own, expresses the preciousness and beauty of this special location. The protagonist from this perspective is the surrounding open space, which interplays with light and the vast view of the city below, which is suddenly transformed into a landscape. Our glance carresses Milan and recognizes its famous features, from the church of San Fedele to the spires of the Duomo, all the way to Porta Nuova, the city’s rooftops are open to our admiration and we are left with the impression of almost being able to reach out and touch them, in a location that is difficult even to describe, right in the heart of a city and yet also floating above it, contemporaneously.

The classical and majestic face of a vintage Milan which even today continues to stand out for its classic ambience

The renovation process will focus on a high level energy efficiency system guaranteed by LEED certification

Advanced smart building technologies will improve the experience of those who will inhabit this location, where aesthetics and performance cohexist along with attention for the environment

Documents

Brochure

PRESS RELEASE