Torre Velasca, Brutalist skyscraper in Milan, Italy
Torre Velasca is a residential and office tower with 26 floors in central Milan, built in concrete and widening noticeably toward the top to reach 106 meters (348 feet). The upper floors project outward like an inverted mushroom above the narrower base and can be seen from a distance.
The architectural group BBPR designed the tower during the nineteen fifties as part of Milan's reconstruction after World War II, with construction completed in 1958. The building opened to residents and tenants in 1961 and marked a new Italian approach to high-rise construction.
The name comes from a street in central Milan, which in turn refers to a seventeenth-century Spanish governor. The building is now used mostly by residents and office workers who pass through its doorways every day.
The tower sits a short walk from Missori metro station and fits easily into a route through the historic center. The best views of the building come from several streets and squares in the area, especially on clear days.
The upper floors echo the shape of medieval Lombard fortified towers, giving the concrete structure a surprisingly historical appearance. This connection between old and modern motifs was a rare approach in postwar high-rise design.
Location: Milan
Inception: 1958
Architects: BBPR
Official opening: 1961
Architectural style: brutalist architecture
Floors above the ground: 26
Elevators: 8
Height: 106 m
GPS coordinates: 45.46000,9.19056
Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:59
Brutalist architecture emerged in the decades following World War II, producing buildings that challenged conventional design through their honest expression of materials and function. From Le Corbusier's Unité d'Habitation in Marseille to Louis Kahn's National Assembly in Dhaka, these structures...
Milan's skyline shows skyscrapers from different eras, telling the story of a city that keeps reinventing itself through design and innovation. The Pirelli Tower from the 1950s stands as a historical landmark, while the UniCredit Tower represents the latest generation of tall buildings. Between them...
San Nazaro in Brolo
227 m
Palazzo Acerbi
87 m
Palazzo Greppi
239 m
Mausoleo Trivulzio
216 m
Sant'Antonio abate
261 m
Monument to Giuseppe Missori
226 m
San Giovanni in Laterano Church
222 m
Palazzo Meroni
154 m
Centro Diaz
207 m
Palazzo Annoni
118 m
The Roof Milano Bar & Restaurant
172 m
Cà di Can
239 m
Mansutti Foundation
253 m
Palazzo Missori
225 m
Monumento al Carabiniere
283 m
Palazzo Mellerio
53 m
Palazzo del Touring Club Italiano
253 m
Casa dei Bersaglieri
186 m
Belgioioso Mapelli Palace
257 m
Palazzo Rougier
125 m
Teatro Lirico
197 m
Casa Piumi
138 m
Palazzo della Banca Agricola Milanese
283 m
Corso Italia 13–17
288 m
Statua del vescovo Ulderico
265 m
Palazzo degli Uffici Comunali
242 m
Palazzo dell' Ufficio Elettorale di Porta Romana
73 m
Via Larga 12
269 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes