Barcelona is one of those cities that is always moving toward the future — “gravitating towards what’s next, what’s new,” as The New York Times’ Ingrid K. Williams once wrote. Replete with rich historic sites, new contemporary art museums, boutique art galleries, bold tapas bars and buzzing night life, the Catalan capital is having a “what’s next” moment when it comes to luxury real estate.
Barcelona was hard-hit by the global recession, seeing housing price declines of more than 40% from their peak in 2008. Now it’s in the midst of a true luxury real estate renaissance, as international investors and a strong office market have helped push higher than average price increases in the luxury real estate sector this year. The evidence of this resurgence recently arrived with a landmark sale from Coldwell Banker Prestige in Barcelona: a gorgeously remodeled apartment in the city’s highly sought-after L’ Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample district for €10 million — a record for the market.
“For me, this sale is clear evidence of the revival of the real estate sector,” says Jayro Rodriguez, the listing agent and senior business development consultant for Coldwell Banker Prestige. “More and more international customers are choosing to live in Barcelona.”
The residence, a principal unit spanning about 500 square meters, takes an elite position in an historic 19th century modernist building newly renovated by GCA Architects on Passeig de Gràcia, “one of the best streets in the city,” says Rodriguez. He further explains that the principal unit “is considered the jewel of the complex,” as it typically rests on the second or sometimes first floor of Barcelona’s modernist buildings. This particular building — La Pedrera — shines in its Catalan modernist design with massive sliding brass windows on the top floor, the terraces and a Japanese courtyard in the nucleus of the building.
“In line with the historical bourgeois spirit of the Catalan capital at the end of the 19th century when there were no elevators yet, the owners of the building once lived on this floor,” says Rodriguez of the apartment’s enviable location in the building. “So they typically have the best finishes, ornaments, gardens or terraces and the highest ceilings in order to bring more light into the flat, as well as severals balconies facing the street to contemplate the views of the Passeig de Gracia.”
Located in the golden square of the city and facing the Pedrera, one of Antoni Gaudi’s masterpieces, the remodeled residence boasts four bedrooms (although the number is expandable), four bathrooms and a terrace spanning 250 square meters. Details and finishes of the highest quality, carefully selected by an acclaimed interior designer, along with custom furnishings and a smart home system controlled via iPad are among its desirables.
“The work of the interior design is really impressive and tasteful, with many stylish touches,” notes Rodriguez.
The living area of this apartment features a spacious entry hall, a large living-dining room with exits to various balconies and direct views onto the Pedrera and the Passeig de Gracia. A guest bathroom, a staff entrance, a staff room with its bathroom, a large fully equipped kitchen with high-end appliances, an interior patio with a zen garden shedding light to a vast part of the living area and a laundry room.
The sleeping area features a double en-suite bedroom, a large living room with fireplace and exit to a peaceful terrace, a master suite with walk-in wardrobe and exit to the terrace, a third double bedroom en-suite with a study area. The grand dimensions and perfect layout of this area allow the possibility to add more bedrooms, “should it be necessary,” says Rodriguez. He points out many of the other design elements that lend to its allure — and record price tag.
“The flat has many open spaces and its flooring is done with precious woods combined with exotic marbles,” he says. “The lighting work is an art form, considering that each space has a system of lights that create several scenarios giving the flat a great warmth. When you are there, you do not want to leave!”
The owner of the residence will also enjoy 24-hour security, concierge, five parking places for cars and two for motorbikes and a storage unit in the basement. Plus, the home’s location in Eixample second to none.
“It’s very much the heart of the city,” says Rodriguez. “Passeig de Gràcia is a delightfully quiet fashionable promenade that hosts the best international fashion brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Chanel, Luis Vuitton and five-star hotels like Mandarin Oriental, Monument Hotel, Condes de Barcelona and Majestic. There are also monuments and emblematic buildings here, including some of Barcelona’s most famous museums such as Casa Batlló and Casa Milá ‘La Pedrera’ made by Antoni Gaudí, as well as a few Michelins star restaurants. Prices per square meter on Passeig de Gràcia typically range between € 9,000 to € 16,500, depending on the street and other factors, and € 6500 per square meter in other parts of the Eixample.”
The sale of this prestigious Passeig de Gràcia address has buoyed the Coldwell Banker Global LuxurySM team at Coldwell Banker Prestige. They are looking forward to future growth and maturation in Barcelona’s luxury real estate space.
“Those of us in real estate are aware of a positive momentum for the sector,” added Rodriguez. “Coldwell Bankers Prestige Barcelona is working hard in order to fulfill high demand of our customers. We are about to launch the best stock of luxury real estate in Barcelona with more than six brand new buildings with amenities such as the emblematic ESTEL residences building with more than 400 units, Corsega 331 with 11 superb luxury flats, Balmes/Paris with 18 units, Paseo San Joan 164 and Muntaner 270 with 20 units each. We are busy and we love it!”
