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Tag: Spain

Published on Leave a comment on Spanish Architecture: Abrante Lookout, Canary Islands

From the architect (Jose Luis Bermejo Martín). On January 2, 2013, a unique work which will become an iconic tourist landmark opened on the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands), the Abrante Lookout, northeast of the island, in the municipality of Agulo. The chosen site is located on top of the Abrante cliff, 620 m above sea level, on the edge of an impressive cliff with a vertical drop of 200 meters, a challenge to the construction of the project, and a challenge to the visitor.

The site presents ideal conditions to locate a lookout in which multiple services are offered, and is a resting place for pedestrians. The peculiarity of this lookout is the seven meter cantilever above the void, with the floor and walls made of structural glass, bound with a metal structure at the top and supported on reinforced concrete beams. It was built on the same site as the previous lookout, where a simple stone wall served as a parapet, giving a greater sense of vertigo.

Abrante Lookout0 1024x768 - Spanish Architecture: Abrante Lookout, Canary Islands

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Published on 1 Comment on Bad news for home sales in Spain, despite the fall in prices

Just a day after Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said that the housing market was beginning to touch bottom in a recovery that is gathering pace, the National Statistics Institute (INE) on Tuesday announced that home sales plunged in November of last year to their second-lowest level since the crisis began around the start of 2008.

46353 1245080 foto 1 300x200 - Bad news for home sales in Spain, despite the fall in pricesThe INE said housing transactions in the month shrank by 15.7 percent to 21,847, a figure only above that of April 2012, which coincided with that year’s Easter holidays and therefore had fewer working days.

Despite an accumulated fall in prices since the highs set in 2007 of around 40 percent after a decade-long boom that suddenly burst, house sales have fallen for the last seven straight months. In the first 11 months of last year, home sales dropped 2.1 percent.

Demand is being restrained by a jobless rate of just under 26 percent and by falling wages as Spain strives to restore its competitiveness and export its way out of the crisis. Banks have also tightened lending conditions.
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Published on Leave a comment on Theatre in Vicar, Almería, by Gabriel Verd Arquitectos

From the architect. The project for this theatre is located in Vicar, a typical town in Campo de Dalias in Almeria, occupied by settlers in the Alpujarras in the 60s. It is an unmistakable flat landscape at the foot of the Sierra de Gador, a peculiar extension of plastics, an artificial sea of greenhouses that blends at its boundaries with the real landscape.

The site is a void located between two public buildings: the College, the Town Hall, the Health Center, and the Market. The urban space it conforms is the result of the free way in which each building is located on the site, a space without shape, scattered, arguably residual, unlike the urban layout around it. Establishing a new, friendlier order, under the conditions of this inhospitable place, has been one of the basic intentions of the project.

Thus, given the large size of the site, we designed an organization for the set of buildings that would locate the theatre logically, and generate public spaces available to the public, an occupation that will contribute to a programmatic versatility, allowing flexible use of spaces, rehearsal rooms, patios, exhibition hall-plaza, cafeteria, etc.

Vicar Theatre9 - Theatre in Vicar, Almería, by Gabriel Verd Arquitectos
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Published on 2 Comments on The debate is over: no skyscrapers in Marbella (Málaga)

Ángeles Muñoz, Mayor of Marbella, has announced that the controversial plans to build skyscrapers in the town will not go ahead, and the debate about them is over. She did not say whether the modification of the town plan which was recently approved as a first step towards building the tower blocks would be debated again by the council with a view to annulling it.

46353 1240990 foto 7 300x225 - The debate is over: no skyscrapers in Marbella (Málaga)Backtracking on her previous statement to the effect that no decision would be made until a public board had been convened and consulted, and in the face of strong opposition, the mayor said that it would not be necessary to wait for January and the advice of the yet-to-be-created board, because the decision had been taken.

In the mayor’s opinion, this means an end to the debate about the project for skyscrapers. Asked about the creation in Marbella of a citizen platform made up of promoters, architects and ecologists who are opposed to the project, she said:

“Anybody can form a group and debate. If a platform is set up we will be delighted to hear its opinions, but on the part of the local government I am telling you there is no intention to go ahead,” (in reference to the skyscrapers).
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Published on Leave a comment on Villa For Sale in Vilassar de Dalt (Barcelona)

Large country style villa with sea view next to Barcelona, in Vilassar de Dalt

Very sunny situated villa with a surface of approx. 1770 m² on a property of 3625 m². The villa is situated in one of the nicest residential areas of the Costa Maresme it is aprox. 20 km north-westerly from Barcelona. It comes with 7 bedrooms, a more than generous kitchen, 3 living rooms with chimney and eating area, 5 baths different terraces and a garden with grill place and indoor pool. Also there is a house for staff with 2 bedrooms, kitchen, bath and living area. All in the best state and good equipped with air-conditioning, electrical generator and different cold storage rooms for events and an underground parking for 7 cars. Only 3 km of the beach. Sea view.

The price is 5,000,000 €.

Click on the following link in order to see more information and photos about the property: spainhouses.net

547799 45830 1 - Villa For Sale in Vilassar de Dalt (Barcelona)
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Published on Leave a comment on Reflective Aluminum House in Madrid by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos

Spanish design office fran silvestre arquitectos have crafted a house in madrid which simultaneously contrasts and blends with its immediate environment. the moderate proportions and planar nature of ‘aluminum house’ allows the design to unobtrusively occupy the site, which is surrounded by tall trees. clad in highly reflective aluminum, the façade merges with its backdrop, becoming part of the natural landscape.

The ground floor of the project emerges organically from the stone slab, while the upper level is oriented north/south, providing private shaded terraces unseen by neighboring properties. internally, an efficient use of space ensures a compact and accessible program. rooms are connected with a staircase and central atrium which rises through the core of the building, allowing views from the house to open towards the garden at the rear.

Aluminum House in Madrid - Reflective Aluminum House in Madrid by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
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Published on Leave a comment on Las Vegas Sands Drops Madrid Resort Plans

Las Vegas Sands Corp. is no longer pursuing plans to invest more than $30 billion to develop a series of integrated resorts in Madrid, Spain.

Madrid1 300x200 - Las Vegas Sands Drops Madrid Resort Plans"While the government and many others have worked diligently on this effort, we do not see a path in which the criteria needed to move forward with this large-scale development can be reached," Las Vegas Sands chairman and chief executive Sheldon G. Adelson, said in a company statement. "As a result we will no longer be pursuing this opportunity."

The Spanish government rejected a series of conditions LVS had placed in order to continue with the Europa Vegas project because they were incompatible with European Union law, Spain's deputy prime minister, Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría, told The Wall Street Journal.

Conditions included government investment guarantees and for a compensation deal to cover any losses related to changes to Spanish laws in the future, WSJ reports.
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Published on Leave a comment on Gorgeous House For Sale in Santa Eulalia del Río (Baleares)

8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, Area Lot 600m2, Swimming-pool, Brand New, Formentera, Balearic Islands

New outstanding property of great design, construction and decoration. It is located at 220 m high above sea level, in the Northeast of the island, amazing panoramic views to the sea, all of Morna Valley, to the east coast till Formentera island. The property is private, peaceful, in a beautiful natural environment but only 5 mins. From the local village of San Carlos and the unspoilt beaches of the North, Aguas Blancas, Cala Nova and 15 mins. Driving to Ibiza-Town as well as 20 mins. From the airport. Plot: 33,000 sqm. , surface of the villa: 600sqm. , 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, an amazing garden, several outdoor areas, air conditioning, WiFi, surround sound system both inside and outside, a Balinese temple, terraces and a swimming pool.

The price is 7,500,000 €.

Click on the following link to view more information about this property for sale: spainhouses.net

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Published on 1 Comment on Spanish Architecture: Gorgeous Duplex in La Rioja

Designed with refreshing creativity by N232 Arquitectura, this stylish and modern duplex is all about altering our set perception of design and décor. Nestled in the beautiful region of Arnedo, La Rioja, Spain, the home sports interiors that are clean and contemporary. Yet, look a bit closer and you will see the hints of ingenious design that makes this space so very special. While most traditional houses have the public areas in the lower level and the private quarters on top floor, this duplex penthouse flips over that fundamental notion.

The main entrance to the home presents a staircase which leads the visitor to the social areas on the top level. A cool glass partition marks the entryway in the living area without becoming a visual hindrance. Décor is kept to a minimum with large black walls on one side of the room offering visual contrast. It is the gorgeous use of bright colors that draws your attention instantly.

Resourceful mix of colors like orange and yellow along with a bold green carpet give the space an inimitable aura.

This Spanish duplex offers an inspirational change from the mundane!

Duplex in La Rioja - Spanish Architecture: Gorgeous Duplex in La Rioja
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Published on Leave a comment on There Will Be No Skyscrapers in Marbella Without Consensus

The town planning debate which has raged recently over plans for a 30 storey residential block took a new turn when Mayor Ángeles Muñoz announced that they will only go ahead if there is a general consensus - which at the moment is not looking likely.

Puerto Banús Marbella 300x225 - There Will Be No Skyscrapers in Marbella Without ConsensusThe final decision will not be taken by the council, but by a board, the ‘Consejo Social de la Ciudad’ with members drawn from local and social organisations, professional bodies and other groups. This board, which is an entity which can be set up in large towns, does not yet exist in Marbella but will be constituted in January.

The mayor emphasized that legally, it is the Town Hall’s prerogative to take the decision, but it will abide by the recommendation of the board.

The modification to the Urban Plan to allow tower blocks to be built in five areas of the municipality of Marbella, at up to 150 metres above sea level received initial approval at the last council meeting.
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