— B A R C E L O N A —
Emerald City
The Catalan capital sets a new bar for sustainability and quality of life.
L LEFT: NIKADA/ISTOCK/GETTY
Oliver Banks
A room with a view: Residences at Antares have private terraces.
ONG BELOVED for its striking architecture, Catalan cuisine, and beautiful beaches, Barcelona is also emerging as a leader in the green movement. Spain’s second-largest city has drawn worldwide attention for its commitment to enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors. Among the most buzzworthy examples of this has been the focus on improving air quality through the introduction of “superblocks,” traffic-free areas for pedestrians and cyclists that curb noise pollution and provide bucolic spaces to enjoy the outdoors. The city created six superblocks in 2016 and plans are underway to add more, ultimately freeing 21 streets of cars and trucks. These leafy oases are meant to encourage socializing in the fresh air and to promote a healthy, active lifestyle—two concepts that have become priorities for post-pandemic urban living.
A GREEN BLUEPRINT
Barcelona is also a leader in sustainable tourism, sustainable mobility, and water conservation. Underpinning Mayor Ada Colau’s vision for the future is the city’s Climate Action Plan 2018–2030, a road map aimed at cutting emissions up to 45 percent by 2030 and making Barcelona carbon neutral by 2050. The long list of action items includes expanding locally
INTERNATIONAL
produced solar energy, building green roofs and walls, and protecting the city’s famous coastline. That coastline is a key part of Barcelona’s appeal. Being situated on the Mediterranean makes for pleasant, sunny weather year-round, which is ideal for outdoor activities. The city’s climate, wellness mindset, relaxed pace, and vibrant cultural scene—not to mention its reasonable cost of living compared to other major markets—make Barcelona a pacesetter when it comes to metropolitan quality of life. What’s more, the city’s investment in green spaces and pedestrianized streets, as well as the fact that its existing infrastructure is ideally suited to cater to a new norm prioritizing air quality and time outdoors, positions Barcelona well for the future.
MY NEIGHBORHOOD
The rooftop infinity pool at Antares
A NEW LEVEL OF LUXE
Developers, too, are drawing inspiration from the city’s eco-conscious approach. Antares, a new 26-story luxury high-rise residential building by French architect Odile Antares Barcelona From €850,000 Oliver Banks O: +44.20.7861.5484 M: +44.7970.732.013 oliver.banks@ knightfrank.com
Decq, marries high-end amenities with outdoor space and wellness offerings. Antares features a biophilic wellness area, an indoor pool, a Jacuzzi, a steam room, a spa, treatment rooms, a yoga pod, an infinity rooftop pool with 360-degree views, gardens, and a cinema. The ground floor will house the 200-seat Grand Café Rouge, overseen by Michelin-starred chef Romain Fornell. As cities navigate their way out of the pandemic, Barcelona provides a snapshot of what the future could look like. It’s a city with a vision, one it’s not afraid to share with the world—demonstrating innovative thinking and characteristic flare. —Oliver Banks, Associate, International Residential Developments for Knight Frank in London
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