Tre Torri Metro Station: Linking Modern Design with Efficient Mobility in CityLife, Municipio 8, Milan

Tre Torri Station's Integration into the Line 5 Lilac Metro System

Tre Torri is a metro station on Milan's Line 5 (Lilac Line), located at the heart of the CityLife district within Municipio 8. It opened in November 2015 as part of the line's final phase, filling a crucial gap between Portello and Garibaldi FS stations. This station offers direct access to one of the city's most high-profile urban redevelopment zones, serving residents, office workers, and visitors alike with frequent, driverless service on Milan's fully automated metro line.

The station lies beneath Piazza Tre Torri, immediately adjacent to the three iconic skyscrapers—Allianz Tower (Il Dritto), Generali Tower (Lo Storto), and PwC Tower (Il Curvo)—that define the CityLife skyline. Its location makes it a pivotal point not just for mobility, but for the overall functionality of the neighborhood. Tre Torri connects seamlessly to other parts of the city via Line 5, and also links with key nodes like Garibaldi FS (a hub for suburban and national rail) and San Siro Stadio.

As with other Line 5 stations, Tre Torri features modern, minimalistic architecture designed for clarity, accessibility, and safety. It includes elevators, tactile paths, visual signage, and surveillance systems, ensuring compliance with European accessibility standards and a high level of user experience. Its underground layout preserves surface-level pedestrian flow across the CityLife park and commercial zone.

The Station's Central Role in the CityLife Development Zone

CityLife is one of Europe's most ambitious urban redevelopment projects, transforming the site of the former Fiera Milano trade fair grounds into a mixed-use district featuring business towers, luxury residences, public parks, and retail infrastructure. Tre Torri station plays an essential logistical role in enabling this area to function efficiently and sustainably, providing a high-capacity, low-emission alternative to car travel.

The station sits just below the CityLife Shopping District, a multi-level complex offering fashion, dining, and entertainment venues. This commercial hub generates a high volume of daily foot traffic, particularly during weekends and holiday seasons. Tre Torri provides immediate access to this retail ecosystem, helping regulate pedestrian flow and minimize above-ground congestion.

Beyond its connection to commerce, the station supports the daily commute of thousands of office workers employed in the three skyscrapers and surrounding corporate buildings. Its presence was a prerequisite for the development of high-rise workplaces in a central but formerly under-served part of the city. As such, it is both a transportation utility and an enabler of economic growth.

Design Harmony Between Metro Infrastructure and Modern Architecture

The design of Tre Torri station was executed with sensitivity to the aesthetic standards of the CityLife area. While the station itself is largely underground, its entrances and stairways are integrated seamlessly into the modernist landscape of Piazza Tre Torri. Low-profile structures with glass and steel elements echo the sleek lines of the nearby towers, reinforcing visual continuity.

Public art and lighting installations enhance the experience of entering and exiting the station, especially at night when the district becomes a destination for dining and leisure. The surrounding plaza is pedestrianized, allowing for open circulation, public seating, and safe access for families, elderly residents, and individuals with mobility challenges. This reflects Milan's broader commitment to walkable urbanism and car-free public realms.

Attention to environmental performance is also a hallmark of the Tre Torri station. The CityLife district, including its transit infrastructure, is built on sustainability principles. Energy-efficient lighting, natural ventilation strategies, and waste management systems are embedded within the station's operations, aligning with Italy's and the EU's climate goals for 21st-century urban development.

Connectivity with Public Spaces and Cultural Amenities

In addition to serving residential and commercial needs, Tre Torri station is a key access point to public green spaces within CityLife. Parco CityLife, one of Milan's largest central parks, surrounds the station on multiple sides. It offers walking trails, play areas, and open lawns that draw both local residents and citywide visitors throughout the week. The proximity of the metro allows for sustainable visitation without adding to street-level traffic.

The station is also a short walk from cultural venues such as the Allianz MiCo convention center and outdoor public art installations that define the area's civic identity. These amenities make Tre Torri a frequent arrival and departure point not just for routine commuting, but for attendance at concerts, conferences, and urban art exhibitions. During such events, ATM increases service frequency to accommodate visitor surges.

Nearby educational institutions, including design schools and architecture faculties, often bring students to CityLife for field studies and inspiration. Tre Torri's location thus supports academic activity as well, embedding the metro station within the intellectual and creative rhythms of Milanese life.

Multimodal Access and Transport Integration

Although Tre Torri is served solely by Line 5, it is embedded within a broader network of mobility options that includes pedestrian paths, bike lanes, and bus lines that circulate along Viale Boezio and Viale Eginardo. Bike-sharing services such as BikeMi offer docks near station exits, encouraging intermodal trips that combine metro and bicycle travel for enhanced flexibility and sustainability.

The absence of tram lines directly at Tre Torri is offset by nearby surface connections accessible within a 5- to 10-minute walk. Commuters can transfer to tram lines such as 19 or 1 at adjacent nodes like Piazza 6 Febbraio or Domodossola. These options extend the station's reach and allow passengers to travel easily across Municipio 8 and into adjoining central zones like Sempione and Brera.

Taxi stands and underground parking facilities are also located nearby, providing accessibility for users who need occasional motorized transport. However, the design of the district—including its zoning restrictions and limited car access—is intended to prioritize clean and public modes of mobility. Tre Torri station lies at the heart of this effort, proving that mass transit can anchor large-scale urban transformation without sacrificing elegance or functionality.

Tre Torri's Role in the Future of Municipio 8's Urban Evolution

As Municipio 8 continues to evolve through projects in QT8, Gallaratese, and Portello, Tre Torri serves as a symbol of the district's forward-looking urbanism. It demonstrates how public transport, architectural innovation, and sustainable development can converge in a single node that is at once practical and iconic. The station has helped elevate CityLife from a construction project into a living, breathing part of Milan's metropolitan identity.

Urban planners and policymakers often cite Tre Torri as a benchmark for future transit-oriented development (TOD) across the city. Its seamless integration with public space, architectural heritage, and high-density living offers a replicable model for other redevelopments in Milan and beyond. The station's performance in terms of usage, accessibility, and impact will continue to inform long-term planning within the city.

Ultimately, Tre Torri station is more than just a metro stop—it is an instrument of urban cohesion. It binds together residential life, commercial activity, cultural expression, and ecological responsibility in a district that represents the next chapter of Milan's growth. As CityLife matures, Tre Torri will remain its transit backbone and a reference point for what 21st-century city-making can achieve.