A global and cosmopolitan city, Milan is an uncontested mainstream fashion and economic center, widely coveted by worldwide visitors. The second most populated city in Italy, it hosts some of the world’s major fashion and design-related events. Milan also houses prestigious educational institutions, many of which are renowned for heritage and conservationist specialties. Its cultural and design relevance cannot be understated as more and more creators are relocating and setting up shop in this booming creative hub.
The city’s most recognizable tourist attractions are the renowned gothic Duomo di Milano, Santa Maria delle Grazia, or the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, amongst other classical and baroque sites. Milan also houses some of the boldest and most experimental modern and contemporary buildings that highlight the marriage of the beautifully crafted and often ornamental heritage with the modern, post-modernist, and contemporary monuments that make up its unique style.
The following list showcases the historically sensitive architecture type seen in iconic modern and contemporary buildings and spaces, providing a good starting point for a riveting visit to Milan. It includes must-see landmarks and contemporary attractions from renowned local and international architects such as Aldo Rossi, Gio Ponti, Stefano Boeri, Mario Cucinella, Zaha Hadid, Grafton Architects, Herzog & de Meuron, and Foster and Partners, amongst others.
Must-See Iconic Buildings
Duomo Di Milano / Simone da Orsenigo
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II / Guiseppe Mengoni
Torre Velasca / BBPR
Gallaratese Quarter / Aldo Rossi & Carlo Aymonino
IULM_Milan / 5+1AAAlfonsoFemiaGianlucaPeluffo
Pirelli Tower / Gio Ponti, Pier Luigi Nervi
RCS Building / Stefano Boeri Architetti
Universita Luigi Bocconi / Grafton Architects
Bosco Verticale / Boeri Studio
Feltrinelli Porta Volta / Herzog & de Meuron
Gino Valle Square / Valle Architetti Associati
Gucci Hub / Piuarch
Cascina Merlata Residential Development / Mario Cucinella Architects
Fondazione Prada / OMA
Generali Tower / Zaha Hadid Architects
New Attractions
Apple Piazza Liberty / Foster + Partners
New Urban Campus for Bocconi University / SANAA
Collegio di Milano / Piuarch
Citylife Apartments / Zaha Hadid Architects
Bun Milan Restaurant / Masquespacio
Marsotto Milan Showroom / nendo
Residenze Carlo Erba / Eisenman Architects + Degli Esposti Architetti + AZstudio
MEET Digital Arts Center / Carlo Ratti Associati
Residential Building Canonica / deamicisarchitetti
Bally Flagship Store Milan / Casper Mueller Kneer Architects
Camparino in Galleria Bar / Lissoni Casal Ribeiro
forte_forte milano / forte_forte
Motta Milano 1928 / Collidanielarchitetto
M89 Hotel / Piuarch
Base – Center For Culture And Creativity / Onsite Studio
Bibilioteca degli Alberi Park / Inside Outside Architecture
Fondazione Luigi Rovati / Mario Cucinella Architects
PAN Bakery Milano / studio wok
Pharo Office Building / Park Associati
San Raffaele Hospital / Mario Cucinella Architects
We invite you to visit our list of Architecture City Guides.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on February 01, 2023.