Barcelona’s Eixample is one of the most unique and significant urban spaces within the European and world architectural context. Made up of more than four hundred blocks of symmetrically aligned homes, the Eixample is the extension of the city that offers the most important roads, squares and buildings in the city, essential for any resident or tourist. It is here where you can find the most exquisite haute cuisine restaurants, the best local and international fashion stores, the most emblematic buildings and countless expressions of Barcelona‘s art noveau, collected in different art galleries in the district. Talking about the Eixample is to mark a turning point in the history of the city.
This district extends from the Plaça Espanya to practically the Besòs river and, from its initial project, intended to connect, through a gridded urban framework, the entire old part of the city, currently Ciutat Vella, with the rest of the city: Gràcia, Sants, Sant Andreu, Sant Martí, Sarrià, etc. The Eixample was thought to develop over an immense surface completely cleared and free of construction due to its strategic military character. It raised a grid of blocks from end to end of Barcelona, with long streets and 45º chamfers to allow better visibility. All this triggered by the extreme need to grow outside the walls and by the speculation that led to the development of more than a thousand hectares of land.
The whole idea of Eixample development was devised by the city planner and engineer Ildefons Cerdà, giving name to this project: Cerdà’s Urban Planning. A plan of reform and widening of the whole city that followed the criteria of the hypodymic project, with a grid structure, spacious and egalitarian, where the neighborhoods did not differentiate with each other and all services were distributed equally. Orthogonal structures, chamfered corners and tall buildings were the main characters of the birth of modern urbanism in Barcelona. This growth could be due to the consolidation of the city of Barcelona as an economic engine of Spain, something that was reflected in an urban growth and which was rewarded by the central government when Madrid lifted the ban on not building outside the medieval walls, in force since 1714.
The plan was approved in 1860 but was not executed until several years later. In the 1870s there was a great growth of the city, since investors saw in the Eixample a great business opportunity. The return of Spanish emigrants arriving from the American colonies with full pockets brought great wealthiness to the city. All the Indians wanted to invest and found their best destination in the Eixample, thus starting the gold rush. Years later, at the Universal Exhibition of 1888, many areas were renovated and there was a great growth in public services.
However, it was not until the end of the 19th century, coinciding with the outbreak of Modernism in Barcelona, that the project really grew. At that time, the Barcelona bourgeoisie competed with other nations and hired the services of the best architects and designers, such as Domènech i Muntaner, Puig i Cadafalch or Antoni Gaudí himself. This creative expression of the modernist artistic style fostered the development of Cerdà’s Urban Planning and made Barcelona an avant-garde European symbol. The Eixample grew in such a way that a few years later, Barcelona integrated into its territory the municipalities of Sants, Les Corts, Sant Gervasi, Gràcia, Sant Andreu and Sant Martí de Provençals. This growth of the project came along with a great controversy due to the imposition of the project by the government of Spain and trampled Antonio Rovira y Trías’ plan, winner of the Barcelona City Council contest.
Currently, the Eixample district encompasses a total of six neighborhoods: El Fort Pienc, La Sagrada Família, La Dreta de l’Eixample, L’Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample, La Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample and Sant Antoni. The territory is an excellent residential area, safe and lively, both day and night. It is a unique neighborhood to stroll, enjoy the glorious architecture and exquisite art, as well as to discover its endless shops, restaurants and galleries. Undoubtedly, the most emblematic street of the Eixample is Passeig de Gràcia, located in the heart of the district and dividing La Dreta and l’Esquerra de l’Eixample. On the one hand, it is a true showcase of works of art, as it is the avenue that houses more modernist buildings and art exhibitions, and on the other, it is an ideal shopping street, which houses hundreds of shops, boutiques and international designer shops. However, other streets, squares and avenues are waiting for you in the Eixample, such as La Rambla Catalunya, La Avinguda Diagonal, La Gran Via, La Plaça Catalunya, La Plaça Francesc Macià and a very long etcetera.
The Quadrat d’Or is the Eixample area that runs between the streets Aribau and Passeig de Sant Joan, around the Passeig de Gràcia. The name comes from the exhibition of the same name on the modernist architecture of this area, held during in 1990 within the activities of the Cultural Olympiad of the Olympic Games of Barcelona in 1992. Located in the bourgeois environment of which the Eixample fed, the Quadrat d’Or keeps important exponents of Barcelona’s modernist Catalan architecture of the 20th century. We can find Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller, Casa Lleó Morera, Casa Milà (or Pedrera), Casa Terrades (or Casa de les Punxes) and many other modernist representations.
The heart of Barcelona, the largest and most populated district of the city, was created more than a century and a half ago. A jewel for anyone who appreciates architecture. Atipika, with its headquarters in Passeig de Gràcia, in front of Casa Batlló and surrounded by an exquisite modernist architectural environment, has always proudly shown itself as an admiring corporation of the city’s architecture. In this post we will show you some of the best properties we offer in the Quadrat d’Or and throughout the Eixample, both for those interested in the purchase option, and for those who wish to rent.
If you are interested in renting a property, we offer you this amazing stately property in Diagonal, just a few minutes from La Pedrera and La Casa de les Punxes. The property has exceptional colonial and modernist style finishes with vaulted ceilings, ogee arches and other details. A 300sq m area with five bedrooms, five bathrooms and a fantastic terrace make up the nicest option of our rental catalog. In addition, this house offers the option of renting it as an office, with stunning views of Barcelona, open spaces and an unbeatable structure: https://www.atipika.com/es/reference/8679.
On the other hand, if you are interested in renting temporarily, this high standing apartment may be your safest bet. It is an innovative, contemporary and high-end residential concept. It offers a magnificent avant-garde and minimalist design and decoration, with exclusive high-end finishes, and is fully furnished, equipped and pampered to the last detail, ready to move in. It is located next to Passeig de Gràcia and very close to the Gran Via, in the heart of the Eixample: https://www.atipika.com/en/reference/12841.
Atipika provides a wide portfolio of products for sale as well. This design flat has a special character. It is laid out in two completely open and diaphanous floors, so it offers endless possibilities and options. It is in perfect conditions, completely refurbished with contemporary and rustic finishes at the same time, which gives it a very modern look. It also offers an outstanding terrace overlooking the street to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of Barcelona’s Eixample. If you want to release property, this is your home: https://www.atipika.com/en/reference/13282.
Not everyone has the privilege of seeing Casa Batlló while enjoying some fresh air. This exceptional apartment has a private 16sq m terrace overlooking the back of the ‘Block of Discord’, one of the most architecturally beautiful parts of the city. It consists of four bedrooms and two bathrooms and is in perfect conditions, recently refurbished with unbeatable finishes. Located a few steps from Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya, this property will fascinate you: https://www.atipika.com/es/reference/13119. To see the 3D simulation you can click on the link: https://everpano.com/viewer/?tour=c5c9c917.
Atipika has an extensive experience managing both straightforward and complex real estate rental transactions. Atipika’s successful path in the real estate market over nearly 20 years makes it possible to offer a broad and attractive range of properties for sale and for rent in Barcelona, with a concise up-to-date information. Do not hesitate to browse our website to find out other properties: https://atipika.com/en/. You can contact us through our live chat, send an e-mail to info@atipika.com or call 93-4575032.
