AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano have announced that Populous’ project – named “the Cathedral” – has been selected for their new stadium.
The decision announced by Comune di Milano sees a reconfiguration of the area in the San Siro neighborhood, currently occupied by the Meazza Stadium, through the creation of a new district dedicated to sport and leisure. The new district will include a new 50,000 sqm green area, on top of a reduction of built volumetry, in line with the latest regulations (as regulated by Piano di Governo del Territorio).
The district will be pedestrian-only, with over 110,000 sqm of green areas (40% of the total square footage). The parking lot, which represents 40% of the total area in the current situation, will be moved to a dedicated underground area. Most of the sport and leisure activities – located both indoors and outdoors – will be free-of-charge or financed by the city.
Following the decision of Comune di Milano, the Clubs sped up the process to finalise their agreement with Populous and kick-off the next phase of the project, which will be carried out in the next months with the aim to present a final project at a later stage in 2022.
The new San Siro was designed by Populous’ Milan office with the support of their EMEA team in London. A multidisciplinary team will lead the project, which is set to increase the opportunities and services offered to the residents with an improvement in the quality of the urban fabric of the neighborhood.
“The Cathedral” is a celebration of the artistic and cultural heritage of Milan. Its design was inspired by two of the most notorious buildings of the city – the Duomo di Milano and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele – and will result in a unique stadium that will stand out from any other sports arena in the world.
“The Cathedral” is set to offer a ground-breaking arena in terms of innovation and sustainability. The new stadium, surrounded by a large green area, will be carbon neutral and LEED-certified, thanks to the use of the most innovative materials and cutting-edge technologies in terms of water and electricity usage, as well as noise control. Accessibility and user experience will also be outstanding, offering unprecedented safety, comfort, vision quality and range of services to the public.
AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano hereby confirm their desire to deliver an outstanding project, which generates new job opportunities, regenerates a key urban area in the city and offers a new green area of over 50,000 sqm to the residents. The project aims to consolidate and improve the image of the City of Milan and of Italian football.
“The new San Siro aims to become the most beautiful stadium in the world for its strong identity and recognisability. An attractive arena, accessible and sustainable for the city of Milan that will facilitate the growth of the clubs and their global competitiveness” commented Paolo Scaroni, President at AC Milan.
Alessandro Antonello, Corporate CEO at FC Internazionale, says “The New Stadium of Milan will be in an extra-contemporary green area that can be lived all year round. The new district for sport and leisure and its 50,000sqm park will make San Siro the go-to neighborhood for sport and entertainment.”
Christopher Lee, Managing Director – EMEA, Populous, says: “The Cathedral will become one of the most iconic stadiums in world football. It will create a world-class, modern, and truly bespoke home for the legendary clubs of AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano and form the beating heart of a new civic district. It will be a stadium for all Milanese to enjoy for generations to come that is true to the city and honors its heritage. A stadium of Milano and for Milano.”
Declan Sharkey, Senior Principal and General Manager, Populous Italia, says: “Our design envisages the stadium as the most sustainable in Europe and the focal point of a new sports and entertainment district for Milano that will be alive throughout the year. Underpinned by the history and traditions of these two great clubs, it will not only deliver an incredible sporting arena to watch football in but revitalize the whole area to better serve Milano’s citizens, visitors, fans and their families.”
Silvia Prandelli, Principal, Populous Italia, says: “The new Milano Stadium project represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to write a defining chapter in the storied history of AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano. The Cathedral will create a new quality of experience for the clubs’ supporters and future generations of supporters, offering world-class amenities befitting of Milano, with sustainability at the very heart of the design.”
