The INNSIDE Milano Torre Galfa, the place to be in the capital of fashion.
One of Milan’s legendar y skyscrapers, the Torre Galfa, is being renovated. It is set to become a new city landmark and house the new INNSIDE Milano Torre Galfa hotel.
The Torre Galfa was designed by top architect Melchiorre Bega in 1956 to mirror the modernity and highlevel technology of the era, and is located opposite Gio Ponti’s Torre Pirelli. Ponti said of the Torre Galfa: ‘Its beauty is immediately understood and loved as it integrates technical forms, aesthetics, and significant truth.’ And he’s right, as always: truth pervades every millimetre of the building’s structure and beauty.
Melchiorre Bega was an architect and designer who trained as a traditional, artisanal craftsman. One of his firs jobs was in furniture restoration, where the pursuit of the exquisite through the imperfection of manual labor forged his character and unique outlook.
In addition to his work as an architect, he designed interiors and furniture, combining all his artistic values in what was a clearly defined, innovative style, very much ahead of his time. He lives on in our memory through the images preserved in archives and publications of the era. He’s also present in all the commercial spaces designed by him: from the Motta Café (which is still in the Piazza del Duomo) to the Perugina confectionary store to the Galtrucco fabric shop. There, he controlled ‘the whole experience of being in a space’ – control which was also reflected in his management of Domus magazine, where he was involved with everything down to the last detail.
The Galfa Tower was his dream come true: ‘I always dreamt of building in steel. Beyond creating more solid structures, it has a fascinating, natural elegance.’ Steel and glass instead of cement: that was the basis of his project.
During the successive crises towards the end of the 20th century, the building was gradually abandoned. It has now been renovated as private living quarters and hotel (the INNSiDE Milano Torre Galfa). Alejandro Thovar, Project Manager at Meliá Hotels International, is responsible for ensuring that the INNSiDE by Meliá's brand standards are met. Thovar highlights ‘the beauty and slenderness of the tower ’, which he says is due to its ‘striking curtain-wall façade alongside a brilliant steel and glass emergency staircase – which can be seen at the rear of the building – giving the tower an elegant, modern feel that’s truly authentic’.
Thovar adds that this top-of-the-line project in urban architecture ‘shows off all of INNSiDE’s latest features, offering INNSiDERS access to multi-functional open spaces where they can to enjoy an informal stay whilst soaking in the city like a local’.
Like the tower itself, the Meliá Group was created in 1956, and continues to guarantee functionality and sophistication across its various hotel brands. The hotel was created specifically to improve people’s experience when visiting the city for business, without forgetting the importance of pleasure – which is especially crucial considering Milan’s rich cultural and culinary scene. The panoramic views offered by the glass structure are among the main attractions of the hotel’s rooms and common spaces. There are 145 rooms in total, split into the categories INNSiDE, Studio and Loft, 30 of which have a spectacular, unobstructed 180-degree view.
AN IMPECCABLE RESTORATION
Architectural studio BG&K Associati was responsible for the restoration, led by Maurice Kanah. His work has revolved around maintaining utmost respect for the original building, treating it like a work of art, and reconstructing the damaged structure through technology and with contemporary materials. ‘The Galfa is a landmark that forms one of the most distinctive skylines in the city,
THE HOTEL WAS CREATED SPECIFICALLY TO IMPROVE PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCE WHEN VISITING THE CITY.