vudafieri-saverino blends milano verticale’s hidden gardens into the italian city

milano verticale becomes one with the city

how would you like to enjoy a cocktail in a hidden garden during an overnight stay in milan? vudafieri-saverino partners redefines the meaning of hospitality as milano verticale|una esperienza blends into its surroundings with spaces open to the city. situated in milan’s porta nuova – garibaldi – corso como district—an area associated with design, finance and fashion—the new four-star milano verticale is the perfect place for cozy nights in, a top food & beverage destination, and a prime location for business meetings. and if 173 rooms and over 600 sqm dedicated to bars and restaurants are not enough, michelin awarded italian chef enrico bartolini makes the whole experience a lot more tempting. 

all images courtesy of vudafieri-saverino partners

photographs by santi caleca

the hotel is housed within an existing structure that’s been completely renovated by asti architetti. meanwhile, the interiors and outdoors architectural project of milano verticale|una esperienza was realized by vudafieri-saverino partners, who followed the concept of the hotel as a new urban invention for exchange, encounter and socializing. 

‘not just interior architecture, this is also a reflection on our new sense of time and space, our sharing of social experiences, work and play, in a setting with great visual and physical personality. the result is a hotel where visual identity, interior design, tone of voice, reception areas and entertainment tell a single, shared, consistent story,’ explain the designers.

the hotel’s interiors pay tribute to milanese design

the interiors are a contemporary reinterpretation of the tradition of milanese design, with references to the elegant modernity of the city’s maestros from the post-war period, which are evident in numerous details such as the use of multi-colored marble and local stone. in the hall, reception, lounge and lobby, the storytelling is entrusted to marble walls, ceilings covered with different hues and a large, double-height space that leads out into the internal garden. of course, the hotel also celebrates the tradition of hidden courtyards that the city takes pride in.

with all these references it becomes clear that milano verticale has been conceived as an extension of the city–like an urban device with ground-floor amenities that only fortify this dialogue. for this reason, the structure becomes permeable, as the entire block is redeveloped.

the rooftop offers 360° views of milan’s skyline and the alps

the materialistic continuity from the common areas runs across the 12 floors and into the bedrooms. the careful choice of minimal materials makes the architectural language more harmonious. into these private rooms, the floors are in ceramic stone and dark oak parquet, the walls in marmorino plaster divided into large areas of color and the bedheads in ribbed walnut wood. 

another highlight of the hotel is its 530 sqm rooftop area on the 13th floor, exclusive to the four penthouse suites. these rooms get to enjoy the large panoramic terraces as well as the jacuzzi pools. these can be completely customized to suit different needs and can be modulated according to use. if needed, they can even be turned into personalized single apartments that look out to 360° views of the city’s skyline!

michelin chef enrico bartolini runs the restaurants and bars

to please guests and visitors, as well as the staff, tiziano vudafieri and claudio saverino have also worked side by side with chef enrico bartolini to give shape, sense, soul and function to the hotel’s kitchens and eating areas. a fine dining restaurant, a contemporary tavern and a cocktail bar are also open to non-residents. in a sloping tiled ceiling that contracts and dilates, these three spaces blend into each other, but at the same time they are perfectly identifiable.

the garden is inspired by the city’s hidden courtyards

the outdoor spaces play a very important role in the project. for instance, the unexpected internal garden provides ultimate peace and quiet for a relaxing evening in the heart of milan. like the many hidden gems behind the palazzos of the urban center, the hotel’s garden can also be perceived by passersby; perhaps to lure in those curious. from tulip trees, shrubs and cherry trees, nature continues throughout the ground floor as the bar and restaurant tables are also defined by a channel of water along the garden. in addition, with a decorative tone, the cages in natural metal filled with pebbles enhance the lightness of the lawn.

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project info:

concept, architectural project of the external spaces, interior architecture, soft decoration: vudafieri-saverino partners: tiziano vudafieri e claudio saverino
co-design of outdoor spaces, green and landscape design: p’arcnouveau
lighting consultancy: studio amort
technical development: cristofori santi architetti
total area: 8,980 sqm

location: milan, italy

photographer: santi caleca /@santi.caleca