Starting in 1960 Arese hosted the main seat of
Alfa Romeo, partly in the territories of
Lainate and
Garbagnate Milanese. After three years of building work the
Alfa Romeo Arese Plant began vehicle production in 1963, which would continue for decades, becoming the biggest production facility for Alfa Romeo. The factory became known simply as 'Arese' since most of the industrial area and its main entrance were in this municipality. Following a gradual decrease in production the factory ceased manufacturing in 2005. Today the factory is almost totally closed and abandoned, since the Alfa Romeo owners (
FIAT) have almost completely moved design and production to other factories in
Italy and abroad. The few remaining employees (about 500) have often demonstrated against their dismissal. At the moment most of the factory buildings are abandoned and the local councils are looking for projects to use the huge area in a proper way, given its location. Arese and the factory are in fact very close to the exhibition centre
FieraMilano located in neighbouring Rho.
Historical Museum One of the few activities still in the old Alfa Romeo factories is the Museo Storico Alfa Romeo, which is in a dedicated building of great architectural value. In early 2011 Fiat announced the closure of the museum for renovations after the Ministry for Cultural Activities had declared the building and the collection of national cultural interest at the request of the municipality of Arese. After four years the museum officially reopened in June 2015. == Modern Arese ==