È un miracolo: Garage Italia Milano

Spectacular. That’s probably the best way to describe the elegant building at Piazzale Francesco Accursio in Milan. Once upon a time, this was a gas station for Italian oil company Eni. Designed in the 1930s American Art Deco style, the station opened in 1952 as a stop for well-heeled Milanese to fill up their tanks on their way into their summer holidays or to have their vehicles serviced in the adjoining repair shop. Today the building is considered a jewel of streamline architecture, but at the time of its construction, it was seen as so appalling that the authorities ordered a high wall to be built at its back to spare the residents the sight. As a result of the oil crisis in the seventies, the station was closed and fell into disrepair. Until Lapo Elkann came along.

The name may sound familiar. Elkann is a grandson of industrialist Gianni Agnelli. In 2015 the forty-five-year-old saved the building from permanent ruin and transformed it into Garage Italia Milano. Today the former gas station is a multi-functional venue for events, co-working and exhibitions. The upstairs restaurant, which is available for private events, features the body of a Ferrari 250 GTO at its center that serves as a cocktail or DJ station, with a model of the Monza Circuit hanging above it and lamps that weren’t just inspired by exhaust pipes – they actually are exhaust pipes. In front of the restaurant, at the “prow” of the building, guests can enjoy one of the eight Riva Privées around the world. This space evokes the magic of the iconic Riva Aquarama, offering a break from the city. It was designed with mahogany floors and aquamarine leather decor from Cassina.

As the hotbed of tailor-made customization projects, the heart of Garage Italia Milano comes to life inside the Materioteca, an inspirational place where ideas are transformed into reality and where you can touch all materials that will be used to make your dreams come true. On the wall, a large bookcase displays the quality and chromatic richness of painted sheets, fabrics and leathers that are available. In the Materioteca you will also find Ferrari Daytona chairs: ready-made armchairs which make use of the Prancing Horse’s most iconic driver’s seats (housed in a metallic tube frame inspired by race car roll bars) as well as other tailor-made furniture inspired by the racing world. The space can be also used for smaller meetings or team building events.