And so it looks like we have a winner in the battle for a new stadium for AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano, and it is the Populous designed ‘Cathedral’ that has got the go ahead. The next weeks will be dedicated to finalising the objectives and development process of Milan’s New Stadium.
The San Siro is an iconic venue in the footballing world, housing two of the greatest European teams in AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano for over 70 years. But, like many grand stadiums that boast that type of rich heritage, it's sadly no longer fit for purpose. In September 2019, news broke that news that both Milan clubs had agreed to build a new stadium, and as well as the construction of the brand new home for both sides, the ambitious project would also see the redevelopment of the surrounding neighbourhood. Two opposing designs were presented by Populous and Manica/Sportium as options for the project, and it has now been announced that the Populous option is the one that has been chosen.
The original designs had to be revamped in May of last year to provide for the retention of a part of the current Giuseppe Meazza Stadium – or San Siro to most of us – something that was not done originally. But nothing else had been heard since, the process likely held up a bit by the pandemic, though now we have a huge leap forward.
And so we can now look forward to ‘The Cathedral’, which was designed as a celebration of the artistic and cultural heritage of Milan. Its design was inspired by two of the most famous buildings in 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 sporting arena in the world.
It will be ground-breaking 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. The stadium’s accessibility and user experience will also be outstanding, offering unprecedented safety, comfort and sightlines, as well as a range of new public services.
AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano have confirmed their desire to deliver an outstanding project, which will generate new job opportunities, regenerate a key urban area in the city, and create a new green area of over 50,000 sqm for citizens. The project aims to consolidate and improve the image of the City of Milan and of Italian football.
“The new San Siro will be 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, added: “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 neighbourhood for sport and entertainment.”
Finally, Christopher Lee, Managing Director EMEA at Populous said: “The Cathedral is set to become one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. It will be a modern home to legendary clubs AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano and will become the heart of a new neighbourhood. It will celebrate the cultural heritage of Milan and it will be enjoyed by the Milanese population for many generations to come. A stadium of Milan and for Milan.”
Looks impressive, but will it be as iconic as the OG San Siro?
