I appreciate a different perspective (albeit true) of a city, region, country... I always remember being in Limassol, Cyprus, and noting the city's vast differences (beautiful, quaint neighbourhoods and ones that were completely run-down, let alone the sprawling resorts). I often take photos of the areas, things and places that inspire and I deem beautiful, but always leave knowing there are other stories to a place as well.
Ironically I find myself at that hideous Mapfre building often, because the Fundacion Mapfre puts on incredible photography exhibits. The old Olympic village is a curious area to explore, lots of interesting architectural oddness to see, but definitely a bit of a dead spot in the city. Our new apartment is on the edge between the Olympic village and the more interesting part of Poblenou, so we get an interesting mix of architectural experiences in our daily walking about.
I feel sorry for anyone who travels here and stays in the Hotel Arts, not realizing how the area around it is full of vacant, trashed businesses, obnoxious tourists, and isolated from the city. And the W.... even more isolated, way off in the middle of nowhere, though I suspect the people who stay at the W have zero interest in actually exploring Barcelona at all.
For all the amazing architecture here, and fabulous urban amenities like the new park by the hideous penis building, there is a rich history of bad urban planning and architectural decisions in this city!
Thanks, Les. Poblenou is definitely a happening neighborhood. Lot’s going on… I’ll be interested to hear how you like it. Port Olimpic just seems like a missed opportunity. Always feels cold and isolated…
Good point. I should have put a name to that specific period. For readers, Bill is referring to Josep Maria de Porcioles i Colomer, who was mayor from 1957-1973. His brief Wikipedia page is surprisingly useful. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josep_Maria_de_Porcioles_i_Colomer
A court ruled the W illegal and it's still standing, because by the time the ruling came down it was already making money. Once a building like that turns a profit, nobody's tearing it down, court or no court.
A city ignores thoughtful zoning laws at its peril. The more I travel, the more I find this to be true, whether it's the implementation of historic districts, height regulations, density limits, parking, required open space, building-design approval, or any of the myriad types of zoning requirements. There's one solution: Vote.
I appreciate a different perspective (albeit true) of a city, region, country... I always remember being in Limassol, Cyprus, and noting the city's vast differences (beautiful, quaint neighbourhoods and ones that were completely run-down, let alone the sprawling resorts). I often take photos of the areas, things and places that inspire and I deem beautiful, but always leave knowing there are other stories to a place as well.
Ironically I find myself at that hideous Mapfre building often, because the Fundacion Mapfre puts on incredible photography exhibits. The old Olympic village is a curious area to explore, lots of interesting architectural oddness to see, but definitely a bit of a dead spot in the city. Our new apartment is on the edge between the Olympic village and the more interesting part of Poblenou, so we get an interesting mix of architectural experiences in our daily walking about.
I feel sorry for anyone who travels here and stays in the Hotel Arts, not realizing how the area around it is full of vacant, trashed businesses, obnoxious tourists, and isolated from the city. And the W.... even more isolated, way off in the middle of nowhere, though I suspect the people who stay at the W have zero interest in actually exploring Barcelona at all.
For all the amazing architecture here, and fabulous urban amenities like the new park by the hideous penis building, there is a rich history of bad urban planning and architectural decisions in this city!
Thanks, Les. Poblenou is definitely a happening neighborhood. Lot’s going on… I’ll be interested to hear how you like it. Port Olimpic just seems like a missed opportunity. Always feels cold and isolated…
Porcioles set the tone for a good many architectural monstrosities in the city.
Good point. I should have put a name to that specific period. For readers, Bill is referring to Josep Maria de Porcioles i Colomer, who was mayor from 1957-1973. His brief Wikipedia page is surprisingly useful. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josep_Maria_de_Porcioles_i_Colomer
I had no idea. The condom building is hilarious!
A court ruled the W illegal and it's still standing, because by the time the ruling came down it was already making money. Once a building like that turns a profit, nobody's tearing it down, court or no court.
Great article! It’s so true with a lot of Spanish cities.
Such a fascinating article, I learned so much I hadn't known about why the architecture is so varied.
Thanks, Christy
A city ignores thoughtful zoning laws at its peril. The more I travel, the more I find this to be true, whether it's the implementation of historic districts, height regulations, density limits, parking, required open space, building-design approval, or any of the myriad types of zoning requirements. There's one solution: Vote.