On the corner of the tree-lined Avinguda Diagonal and Passeig De Gràcia, Spain's answer to New York's Fifth Avenue, work is currently under way to strip back an existing 1950s bank and remodel it into 34 luxury apartments. Situated in the heart of the city, Mandarin Oriental's first stand-alone branded residence is a short distance from restaurants, bars, fashion houses and architectural masterpieces such as Gaudi's Casa Milà.
Designed by Spanish architect Carlos Ferrater, construction of the Residence project started in September 2018 and is due for completion in the final quarter of 2020. The finished 20-storey building will be unusually high for the Spanish city, offering rare 270-degree views across Barcelona's multifaceted landscape. With mountains to one side and the sea on the other, the vista also takes in all of Barcelona's architectural highlights, including the famous Sagrada Família.
Exclusivity is the undertone for the entire development. With no advertising campaign the project had already received more than 300 enquiries from the Middle East alone, and four units had been sold as of April. Josep-Maria Farre, owner of KKH Capital & Property, the developer behind the project, took a hands-on, detail-orientated approach to every element of the property. The brochure alone took one year to perfect – in which time no other person was allowed to see it.
The windows are all bespoke large-format, and designed with in-built seating to capitalise on the panoramic views. What was once a Spanish regulatory restriction has become a feature in itself – inset balconies offer inside and outside living space, complete with fireplaces in the larger apartments. The homes will be kitted out with oak timber flooring in living areas and bedrooms, bespoke marble flooring in the entrance halls and full marble in all bathrooms and powder rooms. Underfloor heating and cooling will also be fitted throughout the space. The interiors are, however, fully customisable.
The project incorporates advanced technologies for energy efficiency and sustainability, targeting Leed Gold environmental certification, as well as the EU Energy Efficiency Rating "A". Lutron lighting and curtain control, along with a PBX telephone system complete with intercom to the concierge, will be standard throughout.
The building will comprise four one-bedroom apartments, 17 two-beds, nine three-beds, three full-floor penthouses and one grand penthouse, and will be serviced by 24 members of the Mandarin Oriental staff. Each abode will boast generous floor space, with a one-bedroom property measuring 123 square metres and the grand penthouse measuring in excess of 500sqm. Service charges on the freehold properties will be €16 (Dh65) per square metre.
There will be a five-storey public building attached to The Residences, housing a restaurant on the fifth floor, an exclusive sixth-floor lounge, a wellness and fitness area, and a rooftop garden and swimming pool. The connected walkway will feature a garden and artworks. Owners will also have access to the services and facilities of The Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona, including the Michelin-starred restaurant Moments, situated less than ten minutes’ drive away.
Mandarin Oriental's The Residences will come on to the open market this summer.
