At the annual awards of the Dirigentes Group the award for Best Development of the year was made to Espacio Buenavista, which opened in March this year in Oviedo, Spain. Espacio Buenavista forms part of the new congress centre in Oviedo designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava that is due to open in March/April next year.
The award winners were chosen by the editorial council and readers of the Dirigentes (Directors) Magazine Group and carry great presitige in the Spanish business world. The award to Espacio Buenavista as best "Development of the Year" was handed over by the President of the Principality of the Asturias, Vicente Álvarez Areces.
The Espacio Buenavista shopping centre is an integral part of the new congress centre in Oviedo, which is located on the site of the former football stadium of Real Oviedo. The spectacular architecture of the whole complex has been designed by architect Santiago Calatrava as a way of giving the citizens of Oviedo a great public space suitable for a new century.
Espacio Buenavista has 40,000 square metres of retail area on three floors with 146 shops and restaurants as well as parking for 2,200 cars. In making the award of best development of the year to Multi Development Spain for Espacio Buenavista the jury highlighted the social and economic impact that the development has had on the city of Oviedo. It also noted how well "the Shopping Centre has been integrated into the architecture and design of the complex designed by Santiago Calatrava", and it noted that the centre aims to have 6 million visitors in its first year.
"It is an honour for us to receive this award which recognises our commitment to quality in all our developments", said Victor Gomes managing director of Multi Development Spain. "With a world class department store such as El Corte Inglés as anchor tenant Espacio Buenavista has already made a big difference to the city of Oviedo. It is the only shopping centre in the centre of the city and is accessible on foot from all over the city."
"The aim of these awards is to recognise twelve companies and institutions from the Asturias who stand out because of the works they have done, their dedication and their excellent results", said Victor Merino Arribas, President of Dirigentes Group, during his opening speech at the event.