Pirelli Tower Verified listing

Pirelli Tower, also known as Grattacielo Pirelli or Il Pirellone, is a landmark of modernist architecture in Milan, Italy. Designed by architect Gio Ponti along with engineers Pier Luigi Nervi and Arturo Danusso, the tower was completed in 1960. Standing 127 meters tall with 32 floors, it was Italy’s tallest building until 1995 and remains an iconic symbol of the nation’s post-war economic recovery. The tower features a tapered silhouette and a curtain wall façade, making it one of the earliest examples of modern skyscrapers in Italy.

The building was commissioned by the Pirelli company to serve as its headquarters, replacing its original factory site with a prestigious location near Milan’s main railway station. The project aimed to enhance Pirelli’s corporate image and establish a presence in a new business district. Upon completion, the tower housed about 2,000 people, including 1,200 Pirelli employees, and featured office spaces and commercial areas available for rent.

In 2002, the tower gained international attention when a small aircraft crashed into its upper floors, tragically killing the pilot and two occupants. This incident prompted a renovation to restore the building’s structural and artistic integrity. Today, Pirelli Tower serves as the headquarters of the Lombardy Regional Authority, continuing to stand as a testament to Milan’s architectural innovation and economic resurgence.