A sale of the iconic San Siro stadium has been approved by Milan’s city council, following the appointment of British studio Foster + Partners as the architect of a potential 71,500-seat replacement venue.
If a sale is completed, the 99-year-old building could be torn down, despite past demolition plans being blocked in 2023 due to its cultural significance.
San Siro is set to be bought by Inter Milan and AC Milan, the two Italian football clubs that currently share the venue.
The clubs recently announced they were working with Foster + Partners and US studio Manica to design a replacement venue.
Replacement planned for 2032 European Championship
San Siro was built in 1925 to a design by architect Ulisse Stacchini, and has been modified several times in its life. However, it has not been updated since the 1990 World Cup.
The replacement stadium is hoped to be completed in time for the 2032 European Championship, which Italy will co-host with Turkey.
According to sports media company ESPN, this is because San Siro “is not considered modern enough for UEFA to approve it for hosting tournament matches” in its current state.
The fate of San Siro has been hanging in the balance since 2019.
There were plans to replace it with a stadium named the Cathedral and designed by architecture studio Populous, but these plans were thwarted in 2023 by the Regional Commission for the Cultural Heritage of Lombardy due to its cultural significance.
Plans to demolish San Siro are edging closer to reality. Photo by Pierre Antona via Unsplash
However, the sale of the building has now been approved after an overnight debate that took place for nearly 12 hours, according to the BBC.
Reuters reported that city mayor Giuseppe Sala agreed to a sale after the two clubs had begun to explore plans to build two separate stadiums on Milan’s outskirts, “leaving the city with the burden of an abandoned arena”.
Replacement venue will be “an architectural landmark”
Designs for the replacement building by Foster + Partners and Manica are yet to be revealed, but Inter Milan and AC Milan have released a joint statement stating it will meet “the highest standards of innovation, comfort, and sustainability, and will also stand out as an architectural landmark”.
The statement, which was shared with Dezeen by Foster + Partners, also stated that the replacement will encompass approximately 281,000 square meters and its seating will ensure optimal viewpoints.
“The new venue, part of an urban regeneration project covering approximately 281,000 square meters and focused on innovation and sustainability, will have a capacity of 71,500 seats and will offer an unparalleled atmosphere,” it read.
“It will feature two large tiers with an incline designed to ensure optimal visibility from every section. It will also meet the highest accessibility standards, providing dedicated experiences for all fans and offering sections with affordable pricing.”
If a demolition of San Siro is to take place, an official sale must be finalised before 10 November.
This date marks 70 years since the completion of the distinctive second tier by engineers Armando Ronca and Ferruccio Calzolari, meaning it will take on historical significance – a protected status given to publicly owned buildings that hinders their destruction.
While the first tier dates back to 1925, the heritage authority did not consider this part of the structure worthy of preservation when it turned 70, according to Domus magazine.
Elsewhere, Foster + Partners is currently also designing Manchester United’s new 100,000-seat stadium, which the studio’s founder Norman Foster described as “one of the most exciting projects in the world”.
Other controversial building demolition plans that have recently hit the headlines include those for Valhallabadet pool in Sweden and the Museum of London in the UK.
The main photo is by App71296 via Wikimedia Commons.
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