Las Arenas
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David Cardelus Download Original
Conversion of former bullring into a leisure complex, retaining the original facade
The historic bullring, constructed at the very end of the 19th century, fell largely into disuse during the 1970s.
The redevelopment has retained and refurbished the striking neo-mudéjar façade, while creating an open and accessible entrance to the new building at street level.
Within the façade of the former bullring, approximately 47,000 m2 of mixed activities has been created plus a 1,250-space car park in the basement.
The main activities offered are commercial, entertainment, health and leisure spaces focused around a central event space, including multiplex cinemas on the third floor and a gym and the ‘Museum of Rock’ on the fourth floor.
The renovation features a 76m-wide domed roof floating over the façade – and structurally independent from it – providing flexible, column-free spaces beneath the dome.
This ‘plaza in the sky’ incorporates terraces around the perimeter with space for cafés and restaurants.
Data
- Begun: Feb 2007
- Completed: Dec 2010
- Floor area: 11,300m2
- Sectors: Retail, Office
- Total cost: £60M
- Procurement: Competition won in 2004
- Address: Gran Vía Corts Catalanes, 373 - 385, Barcelona, United Kingdom
Professional Team 
- Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
- Client: Metrovacesa
- Co-architect: Alonso Balaguer y Arquitectos Asociado
- Structural engineer: Expedition Engineering
- Structural engineer: Boma
- Services engineer: Grupo JG
- Services engineer: BDSP Partnership
- Retail consultant: Sociedad Centros Comerciales España
- Acoustic consultant: BDSP Partnership
- Acoustic consultant: Audioscan
- Cost consultant: TG3
- Project manager: Bovis
- Main contractor: Dragados
- Roofing contractor: Finnforest
- Building facade contractor: Joan Obré