History The new exhibition centre in Rho-Pero opened in 2005, 85 years after the first Trade Fair in April 1920. The Fiera’s move outside Milan benefitted the city by eliminating traffic problems caused by big events and by freeing up a highly valuable area. An international tender for the redevelopment of the old Fiera area, seeking to create an unprecedented level of connectivity with the surrounding urban context, concluded in 2004. The CityLife project won the competition due to the high level of architectural and environmental quality it offered. The 20 exhibition halls, with a total volume of about 2, 500, 000 m3 (88, 000, 000 cu ft), were demolished and submit to remediation in 2007 and 2008. Painstaking efforts were made to protect and recover the area’s stock of trees, 120 of which were saved and relocated in the public parks over Milan. Since 2007 a Permanent Environmental Observatory has worked to protect the surrounding districts. Administered by local public authorities, it controls the noise, dust and environmental impact during all stages of construction, using among other things, sound-absorbing and dust protective. At the end of July 2014, Generali Group reached an agreement with Allianz to become sole owner of CityLife, through the acquisition of the remaining 33% of the company that manages CityLife. At the same time, Allianz will acquire Il Dritto and part of the residential district within the area. CityLife has also reached a binding agreement with the financial institutions financing the project to redefine some terms and conditions of the original deal. [1] Development project CityLife from above – Largo Domodossola (2007 rendering) General project and layout The project involves the construction of three skyscrapers, with dedicated areas for offices, stores, restaurants and services. The luxury residential area will cover about 164, 000 m2 (1, 770, 000 sq ft), with around 1, 300 apartments (housing about 4, 500 people). In addition, more than 50% of the available area, 170, 000 m2 (1, 800, 000 sq ft) are dedicated to green spaces. There will also be underground parking space for around 7, 000 vehicles. Further to the existing public transportation network, the CityLife area will be served by a new extension of the metro line 5, with a dedicated station at the centre of Piazza Tre Torri. Construction Timeline of completed works: 2009–13 Daniel Libeskind Residences; Zaha Hadid Residences 2010 Green parterres 2010–12 Underground line (work as pertaining to CityLife) 2012–15 Il Dritto ("The Straight One") – Allianz Tower 2013 Park (first portion of 25, 000 m2 (270, 000 sq ft)) 2013–15 Park (second portion of 33, 000 m2 (360, 000 sq ft)) 2013–18 Shopping district 2014–17 Lo Storto ("The Twisted One") – Generali Tower 2015–16 Park (later portion) Timeline of works under construction: 2016–20 Il Curvo ("The Curved One") Sustainability CityLife is equipped with some alternative energy systems. Its installations mainly use sources such as ground water, district heating, and photovoltaics. The Tre Torri offices have been awarded the GOLD level LEED™ pre-certification, but actual accreditation and post-occupancy performance is yet to be conducted and confirmed. Smart mobility CityLife is the largest car-free area in Milan and one of the biggest in Europe. Cars can reach garages and parking areas along an innovative underground road system. A cycle and pedestrian path crosses the area from east to west. Broad avenues lead from the residences to the centre of the district where to find shops, bars and restaurants overlooking the park.