If you’ll be in Milan, from 16th To 21rd April 2023, visiting the Salone Del Mobile at Fiera Milano Rho you should also enjoy the city – Milan has a lot to offer – and that’s why we want to present a complete Milan city guide for design lovers!
BOCA DO LOBO WILL BE PRESENT AT SALONE DEL MOBILE 2024 | MEET US HALL 15 | STAND G25
TOP DESIGN DISTRICTS
BRERA DESIGN DISTRICT
This is the district that houses a Pinacoteca and Art Academy famed throughout the world. This artsy neighbourhood with its narrow, cobbled streets boasting a dense concentration of antique shops, galleries, showrooms, and prestigious locations, exudes a truly alluring, bohemian aura year-round. During the Fuorisalone, Brera offers a high-profile events calendar, featuring several of the world’s most prestigious brands, and focuses on attracting a design-savvy, culturally oriented public. Brera Design District is a territorial marketing project promoting excellence and commercial real estate development.
VENTURA CENTRALE DESIGN DISTRICT
The Magazzini Raccordati via Ferrante Aporti’s formerly abandoned 9 spaces, which were once home to key local warehouses, present tourists with a visually memorable experience. Under the rough tracks and distinctive vaults of Milan’s Stazione Centrale, creativity – with a particular focus on design from the Netherlands and Belgium – takes centre stage, displaying an eclectic mix of modern design from both emerging and renowned firms. The worldwide design organization Ventura, in collaboration with the local association Centrale District, has curated and powered projects in the area, which are dispersed over the key sections of Centrale Railway Station and the surrounding area of Repubblica.
VENTURA FUTURE DESIGN DISTRICT
Ventura Future is an exhibition space showcasing both emerging and established brands’ innovative, cutting-edge, and striking designs.
5 VIE ART DESIGN DISTRICT
The district, appropriately termed 5vie after the “five streets” that make up the region, is both one of the city’s oldest and most emerging districts. The region includes the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio, and the church of San Satiro, all of which were designed by Bramante. The area participates in Design Week with a triple circuit consisting of showrooms displaying the latest in design, old artisan workshops where you can admire traditional handicrafts (especially via San Maurillio and via Santa Marta), and a cultural itinerary consisting of museums, churches, cloisters, archaeological sites, and breathtaking inner courtyards. Milan’s Old Town is being promoted through a cultural and territorial marketing effort called 5vie District.
TORTONA DESIGN DISTRICT
Although Tortona is the name of a single street, during the Fuorisalone the events in its neighbouring area – namely the one lying behind the Navigli, known for its “vibey” atmosphere – multiply. The area, home to former warehouses and factories, becomes a major display platform featuring a slew of futuristic, original, and experimental events targeted, according to the organizers, at creating a truly knockout effect. Big names and loads of emerging talents create an urban workshop of contemporary design. Design Week in Tortona promotes various events spread over some of the most important hotels and recently renowned open spaces. It’s at Tortona that we find the SUPERSTUDIO, the iconic place of design in Milan, the pioneer of the Fuorisalone phenomenon in the district, and the most visited and sought-after place of the Tortona District since 2000.
See also: Top 10 Exclusive Bars to Drink a Cocktail in Milan
TOP HOTELS TO STAY IN
MANDARIN ORIENTAL MILAN
Mandarin Oriental Milan offers luxury accommodation a short walk from the fashionable Milan fashion boutiques. The property features a restaurant on-site with 2 Michelin stars and meeting facilities. Set in a complex of 5 connected 18th-century buildings, all rooms and suites are air-conditioned and designed by Antonio Citterio, with modern décor, and taco floors. They offer views of the courtyard or the street, and some offer views of Milan’s Cathedral.
PARK HYATT MILANO
In all of its 81 rooms and 25 suites, the Park Hyatt Milano offers luxury and serenity in the form of clean design and quiet comfort. Park deluxe executive king rooms feature fruit baskets and your choice of mineral waters, while a Park terrace suite boasts gorgeous views of Milan from a private terrace. You’ll never go hungry with mouth-watering, on-site dining options like Michelin-starred Restaurant VUN, where you can enjoy a multicourse tasting menu unlike any you’ve ever tried. For breakfast, La Cupola features daily selections of croissants and fresh juices.
PALAZZO PARIGI HOTEL AND GRAND SPA
From the outside, Palazzo Parigi Hotel & Grand Spa looks like any of Milan’s modern office buildings — glassy windows, metal frame, business style. Just take a deep breath and walk inside.
See also: Milan Design Guide: The Best Art Galleries and Museums
TOP RESTAURANTS & BARS
RISTORANTE BISTROT MARTINI DOLCE&GABANNA
This luxury location owned by the popular fashion brand Dolce & Gabanna is the perfect spot to have a fine dining experience.
BAR LUCE
Wes Anderson created the interior of this eatery. With green as the basic colour, it features beautiful patterned wallpaper patterns, Formica seats, terrazzo flooring, and pinball machines to create a whimsical, nostalgic ambience.
CERESIO 7
Ceresio is a restaurant on the rooftop of Dsquared2’s headquarters, with a beautiful view of Milan. The restaurant, designed by Dimore Studio, has a polished, clean-lined look that transports you to mid-century Palm Springs with an Italian touch.
GIACOMO ARENGARIO
This Art Deco Bar & Restaurant, designed by Studio Peregalli, is located on the top floor of the Museo del Novecento and overlooks the spectacular Piazza del Duomo. This glistening cocktail bar is surrounded by 1930s decorative elements and geometric pattern-covered walls, creating a magnificent bar vibe.