Barcelona recovers one of its most unique buildings. The building located at number 471 Diagonal in Barcelona, after more than fifty years of history, has completed its transformation process with an investment of approximately 200 million euros, adopting the new name of "Aura". This building, marketed by the real estate consultancy firm Cushman & Wakefield, stands out for being the only new construction in Barcelona's CBD area that combines offices, retail, terraces and green areas.
"Aura" occupies more than 21,500 square metres, with 14,100 square metres dedicated to prime office space, 2,500 square metres to green areas and private terraces, and 6,178 square metres to retail and restaurants. The building includes three floors of parking, charging stations for electric vehicles, spaces for bicycles and scooters, an auditorium, a central atrium, a vertical garden, a 1,400 square metre rooftop and a first floor terrace of over 1,000 square metres. The offices, spread over five open-plan floors, offer surfaces of up to 3,000 square metres per floor, making it unique in Barcelona's CBD area for offering offices of this size and characteristics.
The lower section of the building is dedicated to retail and catering, including a gourmet supermarket of El Corte Inglés on floor -1, occupying a space of 3,200 square metres with a supermarket concept outside its traditional department stores, where gourmet products and gastronomic experiences will be offered.
Its location on the Diagonal, near Francesc Macià, has generated great interest among large companies even before its opening. Natalia Tost, a partner in Cushman & Wakefield's office team, describes "Aura" as a project that generates value for citizens, promoting inclusive urbanism, efficient mobility and a safe and sustainable environment.
"Aura" is the first biotechnological building in Barcelona, standing out for its green roof and biological batteries that generate energy. It has LEED, WELL, WiredScore Platinum and LEVEL(s) certifications, favouring sustainability and energy efficiency.
The original building was built in 1967, initially housing the Sears department store, and underwent several transformations before becoming the modern "Aura" space. The renovation, by Blanch + Conca Arquitectura (BCA), has responded to today's needs with a glazed façade that maximises the entry of natural light.
