For many residents of the San Siro and Piazzale Lotto neighborhoods, the Lido di Milano was the most beloved summer destination. Its large pools, the small island in the center, and the sports fields made it a local landmark—so much so that even Kobe Bryant visited for an event at his Kobe Academy in 2016.
After a long period of closure and neglect, the Lido will reopen in 2027, following its acquisition by the Spanish company GoFit. The facility will undergo a rather radical transformation, but it promises to once again become a place open to everyone, with free spaces and areas for seniors and families.
Milan’s Coney Island
The Lido was founded in 1931 as part of an ambitious project by Cesare Marescotti and architect Armando Titta, who wanted to transform this area—once occupied by the racetrack—into an amusement park in the style of Coney Island in New York.
Despite this intention, the center’s architecture reflects the austere rationalist style of the era, featuring a curvilinear colonnade inscribed with Lorenzo the Magnificent’s phrase: “Whoever wishes to be happy, let them be so: there is no certainty about tomorrow.”
The ticket office is adorned with friezes celebrating physical activity and sports, while inside, visitors entered a garden filled with statues, similar to Rome’s Stadio dei Marmi (only one of which survives today).
The two large pools were state-of-the-art for their time: one had a rotating island in the center, while the other featured a mechanism that simulated waves. There were even artificial rocks, a beach, a pier for small boats, a large rotunda housing a ballroom, a roller coaster, and a Ferris wheel.
The Lido’s stint as an amusement park was short-lived: as early as 1936, the company that owned it went bankrupt, and the facility was purchased by the City of Milan, which transformed it into a sports center featuring tennis courts, bocce courts, and a skating rink. It was a huge success, and the Lido continued in this capacity until 2019, when it was closed for renovations.
What the Lido Will Be Like
After many years of closure and deterioration, the Lido was taken over in 2025 by the Spanish fitness company GoFit, which presented a redevelopment plan for the facility. Opening date: early 2027. The company will manage the facility for the next 42 years, while ownership of the Lido remains with the City of Milan.
The historic large pool will become a lake, designed as a cool retreat from Milan’s sweltering summers on the concrete. Surrounding it will be 17,000 square meters of green spaces where people can freely enjoy outdoor activities.
A new outdoor pool will be available to everyone, with rates set by the city for those who do not have a fitness center membership.
Inside the Lido, GoFit’s fitness center will be built, covering an area of 1,500 square meters, featuring two indoor pools and a wellness area, as well as spaces designed for classes and activities for children. Memberships will include discounts for families and seniors over 65, although the rates for both the fitness center and the pool have not yet been announced.
