Bosco Verticale

Bosco Verticale is a pair of residential towers in Milan’s Porta Nuova district, at Via Gaetano de Castillia 11. Trees, shrubs and other plants grow across the buildings’ balconies, giving their facades a changing pattern of greenery through the seasons. Designed by architect Stefano Boeri and completed in 2014, the towers are a striking example of architecture built around vegetation. You can admire them from the surrounding streets and nearby park; the residential buildings are not open to the public.

A forest on two residential towers

Bosco Verticale, or “Vertical Forest,” is a pair of residential towers in Milan’s Porta Nuova district. Designed by architect Stefano Boeri, the buildings opened in 2014. Their balconies and facades carry trees, shrubs and other plants, bringing vegetation into the design of high-rise homes.

The planting is part of the architecture, not simply decoration added to the outside. The project was conceived as a way to increase greenery and biodiversity in the city. Its plants also help filter airborne particles, produce oxygen and reduce noise, according to descriptions of the project.

What to look for from outside

The towers are best appreciated from the surrounding streets and public areas. Look up at the balconies to see how the trees and foliage interrupt the buildings’ clean lines. The facades change with the seasons, so the amount and colour of greenery vary over the year.

Bosco Verticale stands among other modern buildings in Porta Nuova. A walk around the district gives you different angles on the planted towers, while the nearby park adds paths and open green space to the visit. The towers themselves are homes, so plan to admire them from outside rather than expecting access to the residences.