UniCredit: Herzog & de Meuron to design new Milan headquarters

UniCredit has chosen Herzog & de Meuron , one of the most prestigious and recognized architectural firms in the world, to design its new headquarters in Milan. More than ten years after moving to the famous tower in Piazza Gae Aulenti, the former bank in Piazza Cordusio is preparing to change its headquarters again. The chosen area is the former Farini yard and the project aims to be the linchpin of a broader urban regeneration plan. The new area will include, in addition to the bank's new offices, green spaces, offices, residences, social housing and new services for the entire city.

According to the intentions of the credit institution led by Andrea Orcel, the new UniCredit headquarters "will promote a virtuous and sustainable model of social integration, contributing to the urban redevelopment of Scalo Farini, one of the most important initiatives of its kind in Europe. The headquarters project will represent UniCredit's values ​​of innovation and sustainability, contributing to the rebirth of Scalo Farini and the progress of the city of Milan and Italy. Through the campus, UniCredit intends to promote the future development of local communities and guarantee UniCredit people a new sustainable and modern work environment".

Founded in Basel in 1978, the international architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron boasts a consolidated experience, with iconic works such as the Beijing National Stadium, the Tate Modern in London and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. In Milan they designed the headquarters of the Feltrinelli Foundation in Porta Volta. For the new headquarters, the firm proposes an integrated design vision that combines precision and architectural rigor, with innovative experimentation and respect for the context of Scalo Farini.

The development of the headquarters will take place simultaneously with the urban redevelopment of Scalo Farini, in line with international trends in urban transformation and inspired by the most modern principles of environmental sustainability. UniCredit has started the administrative process for the approval of the project for the new headquarters.

Andrea Orcel, UniCredit Group CEO, said: “We are proud to partner with Herzog & de Meuron on UniCredit’s new headquarters. As a bank driven by the fundamental purpose of supporting the progress of communities, we are delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the redevelopment of Scalo Farini in Milan. UniCredit people will be able to work in a unique, sustainable and welcoming headquarters, with modern facilities and solutions. Our investment in Scalo Farini is more than an opportunity to give back to our community: it is also a chance to invest in Italy and to further strengthen our social commitment and environmental responsibility towards our territory, working towards the redevelopment of this area for UniCredit people and beyond”.

Jacques Herzog, founder of Herzog & de Meuron, said: “The UniCredit Headquarters gives us the opportunity to continue our work in Milan, a city where we have succeeded in creating a significant architectural presence. It is of course particularly inspiring for us to work for one of the largest global banks in Europe. The building will be an exploration of both ecological and social sustainability: not a closed and hermetic office tower but an organic form that allows the interiors and workspaces to be surrounded by gardens and trees, creating high-quality working conditions throughout the building.”