Barcelona, Spain: Bullfighting turned shopping

As you would imagine, Barcelona is filled with beautiful old historical buildings, but what do you do with a historical monument when it doesn't have a purpose any more?  Well of course, make it a shopping mall!  The Las Arenas bullfighting ring is getting super sized.  Barcelona held a design competition to remodel the ring after the city push to become bullfighting free.  Richard Rogers, the renowned architect, began working on the project in 2003.  Across the street from the construction site, you can find an exhibit of Richard Rogers' amazing collection of works from around the world and more information on the Las Arenas renovation.Barcelona, Spain: Richard Rogers' exhibit Barcelona, Spain: Richard Rogers' Exhibit of work Barcelona, Spain: Model close up, Richard Rogers

The Las Arenas is designed to have shops, a spa, a fitness center, restaurants, a
cinema, meeting spaces, offices and underground parking. There will also be a green space in the center of the building with plenty of light from the high-tech dome roof structure.Barcelona, Spain: Las Arenas model Barcelona, Spain: Las Arenas interior view of model

Beau and I were lucky enough to have our Panamanian friend and architect, Javier, leading us to this brilliant exhibit.  If you love architecture this is a cool stop to get out of the elements.          

Posted at 6:15 am in
.

Comments are closed.