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The convention Connected Warehouses for the Design District it is part of a broader framework of understandings and agreements between RFI, GS Retail and the Municipality of Milan for the redevelopment of the area adjacent to the central station.

The process began in July 2016 with the signing of the agreement between RFI, FS Sistemi Urbani Srl and GS Retail Spa (GSR) which regulated the concession to GS Retail of the management, use and economic exploitation of the no longer instrumental parts of the complexes properties of the main Italian railway stations. Among the strategic objectives of GSR, the redevelopment of Milan Central Station with the aim of improving services, elevating the offer and increasing general comfort for visitors by enhancing the existing heritage.
The agreement concerned, among other things, the management, use and economic exploitation of the spaces of the railway station included in the buildings called 1, 2, 3,5, 6 and 7 and those contained within the railway embankment of the station along via Ferranti Aporti and GB Sammartini, called “Magazzini Raccordati”, which has been abandoned for over twenty years. Alongside the objectives of internal redevelopment of the station buildings, the Municipality of Milan and the other Public Administrations together with GS Retail have always paid particular attention to the redevelopment of neighboring areas to the same and specifically the Administration, with the aim of making the area more welcoming and safe, has repeatedly highlighted the need to proceed with a redevelopment of Piazza Luigi di Savoia and the surrounding road structure, through urban decoration interventions , of recovery and reuse of public spaces with purposes of general interest, aimed at the beautification and enhancement of the entire area. Furthermore, in consideration of the characteristics of high accessibility of the Station area, the Municipal Administration has expressed the need to have spaces to be used, even occasionally, for cultural, recreational and/or training activities.

GS Retail Spa, to achieve the objectives described above, developed an architectural concept that defined the main elements of the station redevelopment project and in agreement with the Municipality of Milan and the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Milan, analysed, designed and started a first series of interventions on Buildings 1 and 3 of the station which also included an initial redevelopment of the two squares adjacent to the station itself (Piazza IV Novembre and Piazza Luigi di Savoia).

In continuity with this path, in 2019 an agreement was signed between the Municipality of Milan, GS Retail and Mercato Centrale Milano Srl, for the regeneration of the urban area of ​​the Milan Central station which contained and regulated both the valorisation intervention of the 'building overlooking Piazza IV Novembre (so-called Building 2) with the provision of the opening of the catering format "Central Market”, that the redevelopment of Piazza L. di Savoia and the construction of Unicef ​​garden of boys and girls from all over the world.

In the meantime, in February 2020, the new PGT2030 became effective which regulates the areas close to the station as "Regeneration Areas - Interchange Nodes", pursuant to art. 15 of the Rules Plan Implementation Rules, confirming and supporting the ongoing redevelopment process.

The agreement, stipulated in May 2022, “Design District Magazzini Raccordati” between the Municipality of Milan, the Grandi Stazioni Retail SpA company and the Supermoon srl company has as its object the development of a district dedicated to innovative and high technological value services in the field of Architecture and Design with the intention of acting as an action and permanent condition of redevelopment of this area. In particular, the establishment of an architecture district arises from the desire to systematize people's potential for an unprecedented neighborhood model: a workplace where one can carry out one's profession, carry out research activities, experiment with new materials and technologies, and deepen teaching. and enhance the debate on contemporary architecture. The Magazzini Raccordati express the ideal context for the creation of an interconnected district of professionals and in direct relationship with the street and the energies of the neighborhood. The concentration of resources, equipment and services inherent to similar professions (architecture, design) will constitute an epicenter capable of producing a constant exchange of information and know-how of high professional value.

The architecture district is designed along via Sammartini, in a central position with respect to Piazzale Duca d'Aosta and the Martesana, involving a total surface area of ​​approximately 10.000 square metres.

The via Sammartini district combines the program of a specialized co-working for architecture with that of modeling and prototype workshops, together with laboratories, exhibition spaces and services capable of catalyzing attention during temporary events (e.g. Design Week) but also throughout the entire year. The functional program also includes the establishment of an archive library and consultation of specialized materials and publishing, also accessible to the neighbourhood. Secondary service, reception and catering activities have also been envisaged, directly connected with the research and production activities.

In a nutshell, the redevelopment intervention of the Magazzini Raccordati as an Architecture District involves the establishment within them of urban functions and catalog services, in addition to the redevelopment work of part of via Sammartini and is constituted as a unitary operation of territorial, environmental, social and economic regeneration.