Spirit de Milan is closing after more than ten years: a halt to the venue that is a symbol of Milanese culture.

The historic Bovisa space's experience has come to an end. The owners have refused to extend the contract, and the cultural project has come to a halt.

After more than ten years of operation, Spirit de Milan is forced to close its doors. One of Milan's most iconic cultural venues will cease its programming due to the expiration of its lease and the owners' failure to grant an extension.

The news marks the end of an experience that since 2015 has transformed the former Cristallerie Livellara factory, in the Bovisa neighborhood, into a hub for live music, dance, popular culture, and city socializing.

Over the years, thousands of concerts, shows, cultural meetings and events have animated what has become one of the symbols of the rebirth of the abandoned industrial spaces of Milano, attracting a broad and transversal audience and contributing to the valorization of an important example of industrial archaeology.

The end of the contract and negotiations without an agreement

According to the management of the Spirit de Milan, numerous discussions have been held with the owners in recent years to try to ensure the continuity of the project.

The company managing the venue emphasizes that it has always maintained a collaborative approach, fulfilling its contractual obligations and investing directly in the redevelopment of the spaces. However, recent discussions have revealed a lack of willingness to find a shared solution that would allow for at least a temporary continuation of operations.

"We did everything we could to find a shared solution that was beneficial to all parties involved, delivered a compelling project, and at the same time, over the years, redeveloped a space that today seems destined to disappear under the rubble," says Luca Locatelli, founder of Spirit de Milan.

A story that began in 2017

The history of the dispute has its roots in June 2017, when a lease agreement was signed for a period of six years plus an additional six years.

In December 2020, during the second pandemic-related lockdown, an eviction order was served by proxy and, at the same time, the intention to sell the property occupied by Spirit de Milan to a third-party company was expressed.

The management of the premises then decides to oppose it in the appropriate offices and the judge does not validate the eviction.

Subsequently, the owner communicated its intention not to renew the lease for the second six-year term, citing a comprehensive renovation project for the area. The matter was brought before a judge and subsequently settled.

Attempts to save the project

Over the years, to promote business continuity and facilitate the sale of the property, Spirit de Milan claims to have identified two interested potential buyers.

The first would have been a nationally active company intending to maintain the venue as the main business within the complex. After months of discussions, however, negotiations fell through.

More recently, the management of the venue reportedly identified a second party, described as equally solid and determined to purchase. After several months of discussions, a preliminary purchase agreement was agreed upon in April. However, the owners reportedly subsequently ceased communication.

In recent days, it has also emerged that the owners are already in advanced negotiations with another party interested in acquiring the area.

A point of reference for the city

The closure of Spirit de Milan represents a significant loss for the city's cultural landscape. In just over a decade, the venue transformed a former industrial site into a vibrant and participatory space, attracting diverse generations to music, dance, and folk traditions.

For many patrons, over the years the venue has become a place of gathering and belonging, contributing to the construction of a community that goes far beyond the simple offering of entertainment.

This is news we hoped we'd never have to share, especially not in this timeframe and at this time. We believed we could reach a mutually beneficial solution for all parties involved. Our thoughts now are with our 60 employees and the people who have supported us over the years and for whom we've become a kind of home. To everyone who has supported and loved the Spirit de Milan: thank you. You have been the heart of this entire project. We hope to soon be able to share news on how and where we can continue this adventure. Luca Locatelli continues.