Gate Central

Gianluca Di Ioia

• Architects

ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel announces the completion of Gate Central, a mixed-use building developed by Gruppo Building. With an area of 1,700 square meters (gfa), the project regenerates a significant urban void in the Porta Ticinese district, in the heart of Milan. The development, which includes residential units and commercial spaces, features a comprehensive revitalization of the surrounding area, reconstructing the historic urban fabric in front of the iconic Columns of San Lorenzo.

The project was carried out in close collaboration with the “Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio” (Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape), which oversaw all phases of the process, from concept design to excavation and construction. The intervention enhances the site's historical memory, giving a partially developed area back to the city, and rehabilitating a space of high urban quality.

photo_credit Gianluca Di Ioia — Gianluca Di Ioia

Antonio Citterio, Chairman and Co-founder of ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, affirms: "The project is seamlessly integrated into the surrounding urban fabric, engaging in dialogue with the history of the site, while responding to the contemporary dynamics of the city. The building's volume, orientation, and choice of materials respect the unique character of the neighborhood, delivering a fully Milanese project.”

Patricia Viel, CEO and Co-founder of ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, adds: “Thanks to continuous dialogue with the Soprintendenza, all challenges were addressed and successfully resolved. This mutual exchange led to the creation of a project that respects the need for heritage protection and enhancement, without compromising its contemporary urban value”.

photo_credit Piero Ottaviano — Piero Ottaviano

Piero Boffa, President of Gruppo Building, comments: “With the Gate Central project, we aimed to invest in a project that enhances the environment and the context of its location, filling an urban gap that has existed for decades. Porta Ticinese is an area with great historical charm, currently undergoing an urban regeneration process that will make it one of the city's most interesting centers.”

The decision to complete the facade sequence of the building block facing the columns of San Lorenzo, along with the careful selection of façade materials and external paving, gives the intervention a balanced appearance in line with Milanese tradition.

The building features a façade with brass detailing that frame the openings, rhythmically aligned with the existing urban fabric. The design of the openings and the pedestrian pathways at ground level establish a direct dialogue with the public spaces of the city. The base made of natural Ceppo di Gré stone, and the roof covered in Possagno terracotta tiles, complete the material selection, blending discreetly and elegantly with the surrounding urban context, while respecting the monumental heritage of the Columns of San Lorenzo.

The project’s highlights include the internal courtyard, designed as a public square that establishes new pedestrian access between Via dei Fabbri and Corso di Porta Ticinese. The project restores the historical urban fabric’s 2 / 3 pathway system by creating spaces dedicated to greenery and public walkways, filling a gap left by World War II bombings.

Sara Busnelli, Partner of ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, underlines: “The internal courtyard takes on an urban role as a space of connection between the surrounding buildings, proposing a reorganization of the neighborhood’s pedestrian circulation. This public space restores the incomplete frontage that has remained for decades and, thanks to seating and greenery, becomes a new meeting place for the community.”

The paving of the internal courtyard, which seamlessly connects with the square in front of the Basilica di San Lorenzo, is enriched with brass inserts that echo the layout of the Roman remains discovered during the excavations, establishing a connection with the history of the site. The project ensures access to the residences through a glass volume that illuminates the pedestrian space in front. The seating and greenery are designed to encourage social interaction and the public use of the square. The tree species planted in the courtyard were carefully selected to promote biodiversity and highlight the seasonal variations of the green landscape, even in an urban context.

Gate Central is an urban regeneration project that restores the historical fabric of the Porta Ticinese district, combining new residential and commercial functions with public spaces and a dialogue with Milan's historical and monumental heritage.