Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and COIMA SGR (COIMA), Italy’s leading real estate developer and investor, have marked a major milestone with the completion and official handover of the 2026 Winter Olympics Athletes’ Village in Milan’s Porta Romana district.
The project, delivered 30 days ahead of schedule and completed within 30 months, was celebrated last week before being transferred to the Milano Cortina Foundation for final preparations ahead of the Winter Games.
The Porta Romana Olympic Village represents more than a temporary housing complex for athletes — it is designed to become a model for sustainable, long-term urban living in Milan.
Located on a former rail yard, the development includes six new residential buildings, two restored historic structures, and a series of public green spaces that integrate seamlessly into the city’s existing streetscape.
After hosting Olympians in 2026, the site will quickly transform into Italy’s largest affordable student accommodation complex, providing 1,700 beds in time for the 2026/27 academic year.
Beyond housing, the Olympic Village Plaza will evolve into a lively neighbourhood hub with cafes, restaurants, shops, and community markets, emphasising social connectivity and inclusivity within the new district.
“We were compelled by the opportunity to design a project that is purpose-built for one usage, and that then will transform for another permanent purpose — and to do so in the most sustainable and urbanistically responsible way possible,” explains Colin Koop, SOM’s Partner in Charge of this project.
“Ultimately, the village will become a vibrant, self-sustaining neighbourhood built around principles of social equity, environmental commitment, wellness, inclusivity, and resilience.”
Manfredi Catella, Founder and CEO of COIMA, said: “The Olympic Village sets a new benchmark for sustainability — not just in terms of its low environmental impact but for its enduring legacy after the Games, when it will provide high-quality, affordable housing for students.
“It also represents the first building block of the wider Scalo Romana neighbourhood, which will transform one of Milan’s historic transport hubs into a vibrant and resilient community for future generations.”
Architecturally, the project draws inspiration from Milan’s industrial heritage and its traditional linear bar building forms, using modern materials and greenery to create shaded terraces, outdoor study areas, and communal gathering spaces.
Sustainability has guided every aspect of the design, from the use of mass timber and low-carbon materials to integrated solar panels, rooftop gardens, and energy-efficient cooling systems — all aimed at making the precinct a self-sufficient, climate-resilient urban community.