Milan’s hip Zona Tortona relaxed, inviting
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A 15-minute drive southwest of the city’s central area, Zona Tortona is Milan’s creative playground, which has come to rival the likes of New York’s SoHo and London’s Chelsea.
Milan’s Zona Tortona has many facets. The everyday look of the area is peaceful and modern with people in impeccable suits or stylish outfits heading to work in the morning.
Yet during the Salone del Mobile (Milan Furniture Fair) and Milan Fashion Week, the whole area is transformed into a hub where an international audience of design professionals and fashionistas gather for exhibitions, shows and activities.
A 15-minute drive southwest of the city’s central area, Tortona is Milan’s creative playground, which has come to rival the likes of New York’s SoHo and London’s Chelsea.
Once an area of warehouses and factories, it was discovered in 1983 by the Italian Vogue art director Flavio Lucchini and photographer Fabrizio Ferri, who opened photo studio Superstudio 13 in the neighborhood. They were then joined by the city’s creative set, including photographers, designers and advertising people drawn by the area’s empty warehouses to create a new atmosphere.
Big players like Giorgio Armani and Emenegildo Zegna moved in their showrooms, transforming the area into one of the coolest in the city.
A stroll around Zona Tortona reveals surprisingly interesting concepts and funky spaces unlikely to be found in Milan’s central area. One of the area’s coolest hotels is built on the foundation of the former ICR perfume factory.
Magna Pars Suites Milano (Via Forcella, 6), on a private residential street, was designed by architect Luciano Maria Colombo, who combined environmental sustainability and high technology in an advanced eco-compatible, energy-saving project. Wood combined with the strength of steel and the transparency of glass met state-of-the-art technology here and a lush garden of rare beauty was constructed around a magnificent inner courtyard.
Business travelers as well as connoisseurs of culture and art come to stay at this all-suite hotel to indulge all five senses in the heart of the Tortona area. Each of the 28 suites is designed with superb Italian textiles and furnishings as well as refined paintings by young artists of Brera Academy inspired by the old factory elements that give each suite its name and character.
While staying at the hotel, a walk around the area is recommended, as is taking time to find authentic focaccia in the neighborhood bakery and discover chic restaurants, bars, studios and fashion showrooms.
In Italy, the selection of focaccia breads is simply to die for. The neighborhood bakery (Via Tortona, 19) that offers focaccia with different flavors is a must-try, especially for foreign tourists who don’t normally have a chance to taste such genuine Italian bread outside Italy.
A few steps further, Ristorante Boccino (Via Tortona, 21) is a good example of Tortona’s aesthetic and culinary delights. It boasts a pleasant terrace where people come for classic Milanese food or in warm weather, an aperitivo (a drink before dinner, a timeless tradition in Italy).
Not far away, God Save The Food (Via Tortona, 34) was opened in 2011 to serve simple, healthy and fast lunches to professionals working in the area. Guests are invited to sit on the long counter and watch the cooks preparing their food in the open kitchen. The 120-seat modern, hip place to eat very much reflects the Tortona spirit: modern aesthetics, relaxed, unpretentious. Neighborhood residents love to gather there, taking a glass of spirits and a selection of cold cuts and finger foods offered at the bar.
Keep looking to find concept shops in the area.
Mafalda 86 (Via Tortona, 19), established by Vittorio Sebastiani, is a fun, unique shop selling sunglasses and eyeglasses that he designed. Each is completely handmade in Italy, using expert craft employees. “Self-confidence and an eye for detail, eyewear decorations to be touched and admired’’ has been the stated theme since the beginning.
The collection is based on funky, chic designs that may not be found in high-end shops.
Runway Showroom next door (Via Tortona, 19) sells Cocorose London’s foldable ballet pumps with a travel purse that provide style, quality and convenience for trendy women who always need two pairs of shoes for daytime and glamorous party time.
A wide selection of ballet pumps can be found in the Milan showroom and you can get discounted pairs about only 30 Euro (US$39.80).
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