A new city-hotel concept. Urban Hive Milano opens its door, bringing the perfect blend of business and leisure in the heart of Milan

The Italian architecture studio Vudafieri-Saverino Partners has created a point of reference for travellers and a mixed-use space for the city, taking the concept of an urban hotel to another level.

Concreta, interior contractor, among the protagonists of the Urban Hive Milan project.

Concreta, an interior contractor specialised in the realisation and production supply of custom furniture for hotels, has realised a project by the architectural firm Vudafieri-Saverino Partners –  Urban Hive #milano, a recently opened 4-star hotel that aims to position itself as a cosmopolitan destination for an audience of international travellers.

A new home away from home. The #hospitality industry’s evolution has changed how hotels are planned and designed. As a result, today’s hotels are hybrid, mixed-use spaces that offer experiences and comfortable places that make you feel at home. Places that become one with the city and meet new needs, offering the best blend of business, co-working spaces, leisure, fitness, and relaxation.

An expression of Milan's dynamism and eclectic, functional #design, Urban Hive offers it all. Located along the iconic Corso Garibaldi, in the district with the bohemian charm of #brera, a mix of art, fashion, flair and creativity, the new Born out of the restyling of the historic Carlyle #brera hotel, the redevelopment project-which involved the concept, common areas and 97 rooms and suites spread over 7 floors-was entrusted to the architectural firm Vudafieri-Saverino Partners, based in Milan and also in Shanghai for the past 10 years.

Concreta was commissioned to realise the furniture for the entire facility, thanks to a long-established collaboration between #concreta and the architectural firm Vudafieri-Saverino Partners.

Tiziano Vudafieri and Claudio Saverino’s concept has given life to an inviting, informal place full of character and colour, where elements of Milan’s past coexist with its modern spirit. The choices for the interiors and soft decoration add a contemporary edge to traditional Milanese #design, hinting at the timeless elegance of the post-war maestros and the city’s legends and symbols, from the Madonnina to Bar Basso.

As a result, the Urban Hive was conceived as a dynamic yet intimate social hub. A place that welcomes guests and passers-by thanks to services open to the public. Examples include co-working spaces, meeting rooms, cultural events, business lunches, and aperitivos at the in-house Portico84 Café and Bar, which will also have tables under the Corso Garibaldi porticos.

Through its managerial staff, each within the scope of its expertise, #concreta ensured the entire intervention process, from the initial briefing, to product engineering, to implementation and installation with maximum flexibility and expertise. Each piece of furniture was custom-made according to the #design of the Vudafieri-Saverino Partners studio.

Concreta was in charge of providing the furniture for the 97 rooms and suites. They all went through an impactful and well-thought-through makeover to realise a sophisticated ambience. The architects have carefully selected three palettes – terracotta pink, mint green, and light blue – that alternate on the floors housing the rooms. Each of these colours creates a beautiful contrast with the Prussian blue, Persian orange, and amber yellow curtains by Dedar, respectively. The furniture was also designed by the architects, including the beds, the wooden headboards with metal inserts, bedside tables, bookcases, shelves. In addition, the interiors feature hints at Milan’s iconic symbols, geometric carpet with a vintage flavour in the corridors, and matching surfaces and coverings. All this, together with the #design of the rooms, reflects Milan’s two sides, i.e., the world of business and that of creativity, epitomised by the #brera district.

Concreta's intervention also involved the common areas. Comfortable, colourful sofas, light oak wood flooring, soft lights, wooden bookcases, pop art elements, motifs and illustrations create an elegant yet relaxing atmosphere on the ground floor. All the communal spaces feature a striking shade of peacock blue. The lobby has been transformed into a welcoming space where guests and locals can meet for business, a cocktail, or coffee at the bar. The highlight of the bar is its semi-circular Canaletto walnut counter with a marble countertop, brass finishes, and lozenge motifs in the same hue as the walls. In addition, the lobby includes a lounge bar and spaces for events. This way, the reception is no longer the core of the lobby but remains an integral part of it. The underground floor (-1) houses a fitness room equipped with Nohrd & Technogym machines.

The hotel’s co-working spaces embody one of the key concepts of this project by Vudafieri-Saverino Partners, i.e., a circular vision for communal areas. As a result, these areas are used differently throughout the day.

Ultimately, Vudafieri-Saverino Partners’ goal was to create a facility that fitted into the surroundings and a new window onto the heart of Milan. A place where travellers could enjoy experiences and feel part of the local community through architecture and #design.

Research, development, technology and personalised customer service have enabled #concreta to continue to ensure quality of implementation, on time and on budget for total customer satisfaction - the basis of the company's mission.