The moves of the patron of Coima and Stefano Boeri appear from the chats to conquer the strategic projects of Rome, from the former Reni barracks to the contacts with an admiral and Dario Franceschini
Rome is not Milan. It is understood by reading the chat finished in the urban investigation that led to house arrest Manfredi Catellapatron of Coima (tomorrow there will be a review hearing), and to the registration in the register of suspects of the architect Stefano Boeri. If in Milan the tandem had built the Porta Nuova showcase or the future Pirellino, in Rome he tried to replicate the model, focusing on an intertwining of contacts with politics, culture and even some navy soldier.
Inside those cards takes shape a courtship for years: invitations, dinners, meetings scheduled at Maxxi and at the Eden hotel, calls with ministers and councilors. It is the attempt with which Boer And Catellasupported by the General Manager Luca Mangiatry to “enter the Roman lap” to hook the game of the former Guido Reni barracks, the urban regeneration project one step away from the museum in via Guido Reni. A challenge that photographs the difficulties of the Milanese well to move in a context dominated by consolidated interests such as those of the Caltagirone or Sorgente Group group, in a plot of relationships that intertwines finance and newspapers, politics and culture, capable of redesigning the balance not only of the capital but also of the Milanese front.
The signal comes soon. January 24, 2019 Boer He writes to Catella on WhatsApp. “HI Manfredi: 1: Rome 26 is important? If so, of course there are. 2: Soru (Renato, ed) Available to present you with me project Costa Sudvest Sardegna (…) ». Rome 26, the urban regeneration program also connected to the Jubilee 2025, is the first piece: the idea is not only to enter a project, but to fit into the great containers that would have oriented the urban priorities of the capital.
The quality leap arrives at the beginning of 2020. January 16: Catella He writes to Boer. «Speed with the ROME ROME group of minimum moralia, in particular with her friend Melandri. Proposed to bring to the CCL table and to work on a Roman pilot project (Guido Reni) ». It is the birth deed of the Guido Reni dossier in the hands of the tandem, with Giovanna Melandri – then president of the Maxxi Foundation – as a natural zipper between architecture, culture and politics. Boer He replies dry: “Very well”.
The same Melandrifriend of Boer and other Milanese architects such as Cino Zucchihe plays a role that goes beyond cultural mediation: with his Human Foundation he has been promoting Impact investing for years and since July 2020 he sits in the Coima Esg City Impact Fund Committee, the first Italian fund for urban regeneration led by environmental, social and governance criteria.
In the meantime, the political perimeter widens. May 15, 2020: Boer proposes to Catella the institutional lunge. “Let’s try to write to Count (Giuseppe, ed) And Gualtieri (And Franceschini)? » The answer is an imperative of Catella: “We have to wake up the government!” The goal is to bring to the Coima forum of that year key figures like Roberto Gualtieri (today mayor, then Minister of Economy) e Dario FranceschiniMinister of Culture. In September the “invitation letters” and Boer Incalza: «You had confirmations from Franceschini And Gualtieri? » Shortly afterwards he announces: «Tomorrow I see Franceschini And I speak to him of Coima Roma ».
The courtship also develops in the symbolic places of Roman power. October 2020: Boer He writes to Catella. “Admiral Greenhouse (Italian Marine Logistics) could see us in Rome on 21 to 18. Could it go? ” Catella organizes: “Aperitif at 19.30 at Eden and if it is liked it remains for dinner … otherwise it reaches us at 18 at Maxxi”. The admiral Greenhouse He returns several times to the chats: «Ok for admiral Greenhouse Meeting on Marina Properties – and Focus Lido – 22 in Rome. Later you combine time », reiterates Boer. A couple of years later, the name of Gualtieri Back in the chats in a key step. March 15, 2022 Boer He writes to Catella: “HI ManfrediBed Sole 24 hours. Well! As I said for Rome Expo, I am signing 360 degree Consulting Urban Planning with Gualtieriwhich does not allow me to be in the group for this time. Let me know how you prefer that I explain my absence from CCL on Expo. HI”.
Autumn 2022: Catella He writes to Boer. «Hi Stefano for dinner from Giovanna to Maxxi if you come we are at the table together. I thought about November 14 ». Next to this, Eats grind meetings and trips. Until the message that clarifies the long -term strategy. 9 July 2024, 7.54 pm: Catella He writes on WhatsApp on his right arm. “We will probably open office in Rome.” Eats He replies a few seconds later: “Excellent news, we wait for the official”.
In September of the same year it is always Catella to relaunch: «I am working for Rome. Today I would give you 50/50 … if we go on we will have to be very efficient ». But on November 12, 2024 the cold shower arrives: the CDP Real Asset Sgr Board of Directors decides not to proceed with the previous procedure on the former Guido Reni barracks and to open a new race. A motivated choice with “context evolutions”, which resets the strategy of private individuals and forces everyone to start from scratch. In February 2025 there will be 12 events of interest.
In the cards it also appears Giuseppe Marinoniformer president of the Landscape Commission of Milan. On July 3, 2025 he wrote to Catella: «When you have time … I would like to show you the strategy on Rome. Similar to the one I showed you on Milan ». A message that summarizes the ambition – and the limits – of those who try to transplant the Milanese method into the capital.
