The Gate is located in a strategic position at the entrance to Bellinzona, directly connected to the new partial highway interchange and a short walk from the historic center and Castelgrande, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At this threshold between infrastructure, historic city, and public space, the project is a true urban redevelopment operation, capable of transforming an entire area into a lively, accessible, and permeable place, giving the community new pedestrian paths, green areas, and open views of the castle.
Developed in collaboration with architect Mino Caggiula, the complex, measuring approximately 27,956 m³, is divided into six volumes with pitched roofs, which reinterpret the characteristics of Bellinzona’s historic architecture through a contemporary language that is firmly rooted in its context while looking toward the future.
The façades, characterized by a base with arched porticoes, create a welcoming and protected urban space, while on the upper levels a calibrated rhythm of loggias and openings lightens the volumes and promotes light and transparency.
The project accommodates a range of complementary functions: on the ground floor, commercial spaces and a restaurant enliven the public walkways; on the intermediate floors, offices and administrative open spaces, connected by internal bridges, offer flexible environments; on the top floor are residential units that provide comfort, privacy, and privileged views of the historic center.
At the rear, carefully landscaped gardens and thoughtfully designed seating areas introduce a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, complemented by a wellness area with a spa and gym for residents.
The Gate thus presents itself as a new urban model for Bellinzona: an inclusive and multifunctional place where history and modernity come together to build a more accessible, livable, and connected city.
