by Daniele Pansardi and Benedetto Sironi For the first generation Milanese players, who got to know padel around the turn of the decade, City Padel represented an important stronghold. The center founded by Demetrio Albertini and Lorenzo Alfieri in 2018 was a key hub for the growth of the game in the city of Milan, and the place where many enthusiasts initially cultivated their passion. In some ways, City Padel also served as an incubator for Padelbiz, but above all it was a pioneering experience, which has now evolved into its definitive form: the Golden Goose Arena. A project born from the union of intentions of SmartCityLife, which manages and innovates the public areas of CityLife in Milan; Novembre Studio, which curated the architecture of a sinuous and light, futuristic building consistent with the neighborhood; and indeed City Padel, which manages the technical part and continues to be a reference point for the city thanks to the passion and professionalism in the management of the two Albertini brothers (Demetrio and Gabriele). 
And then there’s Golden Goose, which under the guidance of Silvio Campara has created an indissoluble bond with padel, contributing with its own style to give iconicity to the club. The Arena is an ecosystem so far unique in its kind in Italy, without too many fears of denials. From the refined and non-trivial sports proposal, with the total black courts signed by Italian Padel and Italgreen and the partnership with Babolat, to the contemporary design, passing through a precious and refined gastronomic offer. Everything inside it holds together in perfect balance, just as the structure integrates perfectly into the daily life of CityLife. To delve into the genesis and identity of the Golden Goose Arena, we interviewed the founder of City Padel, Demetrio Albertini, and the architect Fabio Novembre.
The interview Demetrio Albertini, founder City Padel
Golden Goose Arena is now considered one of the most beautiful and cutting-edge structures in Italy. Where did the idea of creating a center like this in the heart of Milan come from?
In 2018, when we opened City Padel, in synergy with the Generali group, we already knew it would be temporary. Our idea was not just to create a successful sports hub, but to create the most beautiful one of all. I remember that those were the exact words used. We said to ourselves that we had to do it in line with the entire CityLife neighborhood, which at the time was not yet complete. We started four years ago. When Silvio Campara (ceo of Golden Goose) learned about the project after two years, he joined us in this adventure, while CityLife involved Studio Novembre in the delineation of the architecture. Today, together with Golden Goose, we have managed to create a club that is unique in its kind, where we at CityPadel manage the structure and Golden Goose manages the lounge, pro shop, and bar.
What were the distinctive elements you absolutely wanted to introduce compared to traditional padel centers?
We don’t just want to sell an experience or the sports part. We want the players to live a tailor-made experience, on and off the court. A player might work all day, in a hectic city like Milan, and then choose the Golden Goose Arena: at that moment we must be at the service of the customer. Every person who enters our club must be an event for us.
We want the players to live a tailor-made experience, on and off the court
The Golden Goose Arena is the continuation of what was one of the first and most important strongholds of Milanese padel, namely City Padel. What legacy do you bring to this new structure from that pioneering experience?
In my life I have done many things: footballer, manager, entrepreneur, and at a high level on many fronts. Even when I worked for the FIGC I loved contamination. Sport certainly manages to “infect” companies, as for example with various team building activities, but the same must also happen in reverse. Instead, many times, especially in football, people close themselves within their own canons and convictions. Golden Goose has given me daily teachings: they contaminate me, and at the same time I try to bring my experience and added value. From this point of view, there is certainly great synergy in customer service and attention to detail. 
How is the technical part organized at the moment?
Today we have twelve instructors, but for now we are still unable to meet all the requests for lessons that we have. We know that padel is very playful, but we try to guarantee professionalism at all levels. And even on the competitive side, we are working to come up with an ambitious and high-level project.
The interview Fabio Novembre, CEO Studio Novembre
The Golden Goose Arena brings together sport, design, and identity. What was the balance between functionality and aesthetic language?
The project stems from the desire to give padel a prominent architectural space, for the first time in Italy. Within a complex context like CityLife, surrounded by works signed by Bellini, Hadid, Libeskind, Isozaki, and Ingels, the goal was not to impose a new sign, but to find a balance with the surroundings. We chose reflective and opaque materials to visually integrate with the park and maintained a contained height to respect the view from the Fair, working with fluid forms capable of dialoguing with the architectural heterogeneity of the place. The Padel Pavilion is designed as an adaptive and flexible architecture, not solely bound to the sports function, but capable of transforming over time based on the needs of the community.
The Arena rises in a neighborhood dominated by skyscrapers designed by great starchitects. Did the project somehow interact with these presences? Was there a desire for continuity, contrast, or simply independence from that language?
We chose to visually integrate the architecture into the landscape, respecting the view of the park from the Fair, and working with a fluid form capable of dialoguing with the stylistic heterogeneity of the context. Our architecture was built right next to Bjarke Ingels’ CityWave building: it is a structure that rises with a very recognizable curve and, just to remain in continuity with its forms, we wanted to respond to that gesture with a specular inclination. We raised the entrance of the Padel Pavilion, generating a dialogue between the two architectures, almost a dance, a symbolic portal that introduces CityLife from the northeast. It is a formal but also urban gesture, connecting and orienting.
The goal was not to impose a new sign, but to find a balance with the surroundings
At the entrance there is the sculpture by Fabio Viale, which interacts with the building and becomes its symbol. What role does art play in a project like this?
Together with Silvio Campara, CEO of Golden Goose, we decided to position Fabio Viale’s sculpture right at the tip of the architecture. It is a tattooed reinterpretation of the hand of the Colossus of Constantine: with the finger pointing towards the sky, the sculpture seems to support the top of the Arena with lightness. 
Today sports facilities are increasingly places of meeting and aggregation, not just for playing. What kind of experience did you want to create for those entering the Golden Goose Arena?
The Golden Goose Arena was created to interpret padel as an opportunity to unite sport, sociality, and sustainability. Designed as a public and inclusive space, it is accessible to all citizens and involves not only the players but also the public thanks to an open and participatory experience. Developed in agreement with the Public Administration, the Arena integrates perfectly into the urban design of CityLife and serves as a service within the park, an area of 178,000 square meters with over 2,000 trees, hosting sports, cultural, and social events throughout the year. The Golden Goose Arena powered by Atlante aims to be a space dedicated to physical activity, an inclusive community place, and a safe haven for all park visitors.
Golden Goose Arena
Address: Viale Duilio 9, Milan – 20145 Courts: 6 indoor total black, 1 Pro Court immersive with cameras, 2 outdoor Services Clubhouse Refreshment area Lounge area Babolat Pro Shop Golden Goose store Changing rooms Racket rental Opening hours Monday – Sunday 7-24 Instagram: @GoldenGooseArenaMilano TikTok: @goldengoosearenamilano Phone: 02.8112752
