Projects / 9/2/2025

Velasca Tower: Milan’s iconic skyscraper restored with Mapei solutions

The Skyscraper has undergone major renovation and restoration work

Torre Velasca, a symbol of Milan’s skyline and post-war architecture, has undergone a major renovation and restoration intervention. The project, led by Hines with design by Studio Asti Architetti, preserved its historical identity while modernizing interiors. Mapei solutions were applied across offices, apartments, and commercial spaces to ensure durability, comfort, and sustainability. The result is a renewed landmark that bridges heritage and contemporary design.

A symbol of Milan’s skyline and an icon of post-war Italy, Torre Velasca has long stood as an architectural and cultural landmark for the city. Following a major renovation and restoration project, the building is now ready to embark on a new chapter in its life while maintaining its longstanding historical identity.

In 2020 Hines, Development manager and an investor in the HEVF Milan 1 fund managed by Prelios SGR S.p.A, signed an agreement with the Local Heritage Authority and Milan City Council to redevelop Torre Velasca. Designed by Studio Asti Architetti in partnership with CEAS (as for masonry renovation works), redevelopment work included the complete restoration and consolidation of its original exteriors to maintain the iconic façade and bring it back to its original colour.

The project was initiated in late 2020 with restoration work beginning in October 2021. The primary aim of the project was to restore the tower to its status as a beacon of contemporary architecture while looking to the future. In May 2025, the renovated skyscraper was officially inaugurated in the presence of local authorities.

The project combines conservation and innovation while remaining faithful to the tower’s original architecture and historical value.

Mapei solutions in interiors

For the interior renovation, carried out in line with the original design and 1950s stylistic elements, Mapei supplied solutions for the offices (from the second to the fifteenth floor), apartments, commercial areas and bathrooms with the aim of creating modern, functional spaces that come up to today’s performance standards.

To ensure adequate substate preparation, the surfaces in these spaces were treated with Primer G, a synthetic resin-based primer in water dispersion with extremely low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions, and Eco Prim T Plus, a universal acrylic primer. Both products promote adhesion and improve substrate durability. The next step was the application of Ultraplan Eco, a self-levelling smoothing compound for interiors capable of eliminating variations of up to 10 mm in substrate thickness prior to the installation of any type of floor covering.

PVC flooring was laid in the offices and corridors of the tower using Ultrabond Eco V4SP universal adhesive.

In wet interior spaces such as bathrooms, the substrates were waterproofed by using Mapegum WPS, a quick-drying, flexible liquid membrane. In the offices and corridors, PVC flooring was installed using Ultrabond Eco V4SP, a universal water-based adhesive ideal for high-traffic areas. In the bathrooms and on the balconies, ceramic tiles were installed using Keraflex Extra S1 Zero* and Adesilex P9, a high-performance cementitious adhesive suitable. Profilpas T-spacers were used on the balconies to create uniform and precise tile joints. The joints were grouted with Ultracolor Plus*, a water-repellent, mould-resistant cementitious mortar.

As part of the conservative restoration of the facades, the tower was returned to its original colour through the use of Legante Intonaco Velasca binder, an innovative plaster specially formulated by Mapei’s R&D laboratories to meet the highest standards of performance and durability, as verified by accelerated ageing tests.

Attention to every detail of product selection ensured the perfect technical and aesthetic integration of all architectural elements, helping to give Torre Velasca a renewed image consistent with its former prestige.

Profilpas T-spacers were used on the balconies to create uniform and precise tile joints.

Project information

Torre Velasca, Milan (Italy)

Period of construction: 1956-1958

Period of renovation and restoration: 2021-2024

Original design: Studio BBPR

Owner: Hines, Prelios SGR Spa

Renovation design: Studio Asti Architetti, CEAS Srl

Main contractor: ARS Aedificandi Spa

Contractor: Tempini 1921 Srl

Mapei coordinators: Massimo Seregni, Luca Pretini, Ivan Ceriani, Mapei SpA

In the office bathrooms, the mosaic tiles were bonded using Keraflex Extra S1 Zero* adhesive.

^{*CO₂ emissions measured throughout the life cycle of products from the Zero line in 2025 using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, verified and certified with EPDs, have been offset through the acquisition of certified carbon credits in support of forestry protection projects. A commitment to the planet, to people and to biodiversity. For more details on how emissions are calculated and on climate mitigation projects financed through certified carbon credits,}^{click here.}