Bocconi to Complete Its Campus: Two New Buildings and a Nursery School for Local Families

Two new buildings will replace the existing offices at Via Bocconi 6–8 and Piazza Sraffa 11. Additionally, a new daycare and preschool will be built, both open to families in the neighborhood. These are the next steps in the development of the Bocconi campus, presented by Riccardo Taranto — Managing Director of the University — in his remarks at the Opening Ceremony for the 2026–2027 academic year.

The first breaking ground concerns the former site of SDA Bocconi at Via Bocconi 6–8, where new spaces will be instituted for teaching, studying and daily university life. Construction will then begin for the current office building at Piazza Sraffa 11. The Strategic Plan 2026–2030 also establishes the creation of a new nursery located between Via Bocconi and Via Castiglioni, available to both the Bocconi community and local residents.

“Campus, for us, has never been just a collection of buildings,” says Taranto. “It is the setting in which the quality of both teaching and research must match the quality of individuals’ lives. With these new projects, we are completing a journey that began many years ago, continuing to invest in sustainable, accessible and open areas. We are not just building for the University; every transformation must also improve the quality of the neighborhood and city.”

From Three Buildings to a Sprawling Urban Campus

Fifty years ago, when Taranto was just beginning his undergraduate studies, university life revolved primarily around three buildings — the historic headquarters at Via Sarfatti 25, the Library at Via Gobbi, and a residence hall. Across stood the milk bottling plant, and the SGEA bus depot was situated where the Via Röntgen building is now.

Since then, Bocconi has chosen to expand within the city around its historic headquarters, gradually transforming this part of Milan rather than moving the campus to the city’s outskirts.

Today the campus spreads across 90,000m² and boasts a total floor area of over 330,000m². It accommodates more than 15,000 students and provides 2,800 beds across Bocconi residences and partner facilities, including the 700 new beds at the Olympic Village. In addition to these, the Bocconi Sport Center — which opened in 2021 and is also open to the public — features two swimming pools, a fitness center and a sports arena. In fact, more than a third of students use the sports facilities on campus today.

A Transformation That Changed a Neighborhood

The most visible transformation pertains to the area of the former milk bottling plant, which has become the new Urban Campus. This project has introduced new buildings, greenery and open spaces that aid in reshaping the relationship between the University and neighborhood. 

Over the years, the expansion of campus has even led to new walkways, green spaces, sports facilities and accessible gathering places that extend beyond the University’s physical borders. It is within this context that the new projects planned for the coming years lie.

“Fifty years ago, the campus did not yet exist, so the relationship between the University and this part of Milan was completely different,” recalls Taranto. “The decision we made over time was to stay and expand within the city. This meant transforming neglected areas, offering services, adding greenery and creating gathering places as well as open spaces. The campus has evolved together with the neighborhood, and we hope it continues to do so.”

A More Sustainable and Accessible Campus 

Sustainability is one of the guiding principles of this new phase of development. The Urban Campus has achieved LEED Platinum certification, utilizing photovoltaic panels, heat pumps, rainwater harvesting systems and automated light control. The photovoltaic park has an installed capacity of approximately 1.49MW, thanks to the more than 4,000 solar panels installed on eight buildings.

The Strategic Plan 2026–2030 now presents a broader objective: make Bocconi’s campus a model for green policies, energy efficiency and inclusive design. The project outlines a journey toward carbon neutrality (the first phase saw the replacement of all gas boilers with heat pumps), as well as over 70 water dispensers, 500+ bike parking spaces, and initiatives to reduce waste and promote sustainable mobility and eating habits. 

The new buildings at Via Bocconi 6–8 and Piazza Sraffa 11 are set to become the next frontier in this journey, with even more advanced standards of efficiency, accessibility and functionality.

“A campus must evolve together with the people who experience it,” concludes Taranto. “The buildings that we will erect in the upcoming years do not represent the culmination of a real estate transformation, but rather infrastructure that must support future generations of students and faculty. And they must, at the same time, be a part of a Milan that remains ever more open-minded and vibrant.”