Back in the early 20th century, Milan was a city that looked up to the models of London and Paris. It was a Milan that was industrious and forward-thinking, vertical and captivated by speed.

This dynamic and modern Milan was home to Giuseppe De Montel, a banker, nobleman, silk entrepreneur and president of the Clubino, the city’s elite meeting spot. Said to have been reserved, refined and as elegant as a dandy, he was also highly intelligent and a great lover of horses, staying true to his family’s passion.

De Montel was a racehorse owner and wanted grandiose stables for his thoroughbreds, reflecting an uncommon sense of beauty. He therefore entrusted the design to architects Arrigo Cantoni and Paul Vietti Violi, who were also behind the San Siro Hippodrome.

This vision led to the creation of the Scuderie De Montel, an architectural masterpiece with Art Nouveau elements and Belle Époque influences that made its mark on the 1920s. With their iconic pediments, clock, interior colonnade and horse stalls, the Scuderie De Montel quickly became a legendary landmark—a true monument.

During this era, horses were the champions people cheered for, and the Ippodromo del Galoppo racecourse, built in 1920, was at the heart of this shared passion, filled with races, bets, records and newspaper reports—many of which featured the De Montel name.

However, this golden age would not last forever. In the years between the wars, the Scuderie De Montel was sold, the jockeys dismissed and activities halted, as Giuseppe De Montel sought refuge abroad.

Initially managed by a congregation of nuns, the Scuderie fell into neglect, followed by decay and ruin.

Despite the decades of neglect, the Scuderie De Montel, steeped in history and charm, continued to attract attention, be photographed and remain beloved. The turning point came in 2019, when the municipality’s participation in the international Reinventing Cities competition marked the beginning of a transformative new project for the area, leading to its remarkable rebirth.

The transformation of the monumental stables into a metropolitan spa complex in an unparalleled setting was made possible by a precious resource—water. The certified thermal water, certified by the Ministry of Health and drawn from deep beneath the earth, serves as the life force of Terme de Montel, Milan’s new landmark set to open in 2025.