Spectacular architecture by Santiago Calatrava forms new landmark for the city
Today Shopping Centre Espacio Buenavista (40,000m²), in Oviedo, Spain, will be inaugurated. It forms part of the new complex by Architect Santiago Calatrava, which will house a Congress Centre and Espacio Buenavista. Through its spectacular architectural features and its attractive public space it will give a new identity to the location and form an already admired landmark for the city. Present among the 1300 guests at the inauguration will be the main authorities from Oviedo and the ‘Principado de Asturias’, as well as representatives from the Asturias entrepreneurial sector, from Multi Development, ING Real Estate, El Corte Inglés, Grupo Inditex and other major tenants.
On 4th March the centre will open to the public. Espacio Buenavista was developed by Multi Development Spain S.A., Investor is ING Real Estate.
Spectacular architecture
The complex is situated on the site of a former football stadium of Real Oviedo. Santiago Calatrava, the famous architect from Valencia who received the Príncipe de Asturias Arts Award in 1999, thinks that his new work will update the city of Oviedo “awaking it to a new era and the beginning of a century”. Espacio Buenavista is an essential part of this complex that is already admired and is already being studied by architects, engineers and artists from all over the world. The avant-garde architecture of Calatrava is clear for all to see in the Congress Centre. A set of 21 metallic ribs holds a canopy of 44 metres in diameter and a glass floor that allows for natural lighting.
The spectacular architecture of the complex is emphasised by the mobile canopy, which operates through a hydraulic mechanism. The annex buildings are located in the arms of the U that surround the Congress Centre. They will house the administrative offices of the Principality of the Asturias. There will also be a 150 room hotel and parking for 2,200 cars. The steel of the porticos has been constructed piece by piece and each portico is supported on a base 10 metres in height.
Espacio Buenavista
The new shopping centre is under the Congress Centre. It was designed by Multi’s in-house group of architects T+T Design in collaboration with Santiago Calatrava. It will have a GLA of approximately 40,000m² on three floors with a total of 146 shops and restaurants. The ground floor is for a supermarket and general shops. The street level is for fashion and accessories and the first floor is intended for young fashion and restaurants. This floor has a terrace area made of wood and glass to allow customers to enjoy the excellent view of the complex. The centre is anchored by El Corte Inglés, Grupo Inditex, C&A, H&M, Primark and other national and international first level brands, as well as retailers from Asturias. “The aim of Multi’s projects is to complement and give incentive to local shopping,” explains Víctor Manuel Gómez Izquierdo, Managing Director of Multi Development Spain S.A., “Espacio Buenavista is a modern referent for local shopping and an engine for the economic development of the region. It has created over 800 direct new jobs, in an area affected in the recent years by a fall in industrial activities.”
Original dance and fashion show to celebrate opening
In order to underline the commitment of Espacio Buenavista to the fashion industry, Spanish international top model Laura Ponte will act as Master of Ceremonies. Laura was born in Galicia and was adopted by Asturias as Galician fashion ambassador. Laura modelled for fashion designers like Valentino, Hugo Boss, Exté, Lagerfeld, Blumarine and Christian Lacroix.
Guests will enjoy an original dancing show directed by Dani Panullo, one of the most avant-garde choreographers and scene Directors, who mixes butoh dance or breakdance, with what he calls “new ways of dancing in the XXI century”. The stage is designed as “the world’s largest catwalk”, where dancers wear exclusive designs by David Delfin, one of the most important fashion creators in the Spain.
After the show, the guests have the opportunity to taste gastronomy food and drinks served by Deloya Restaurant, Oviedo’s famous Michelin star restaurant.