Antiga Hidrolèctrica de Catalunya, Art Nouveau office building and hotel in Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain.
The Antiga Hidrolèctrica de Catalunya is an office building with hotel facilities that features a carefully designed Art Nouveau facade with decorative elements and well-preserved interior spaces. The structure sits within the narrow medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter and integrates into the dense historical fabric of the old city.
The building was constructed in 1905 as a power station to supply electricity to Barcelona during its rapid industrial growth. Its transition to office and hotel use reflects how the city's economy shifted throughout the 20th century.
The building is recognized as a Cultural Asset of Local Interest and shows how major industrial structures shaped Barcelona's development in the early 20th century. Today, visitors can see how the city preserves its industrial past by keeping such buildings alive and adapting them for modern use.
The building is located at a central spot in the Gothic Quarter and is easily accessible on foot from the Cathedral and other historic sights. The narrow streets in this area can get crowded during peak times, so visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon is more pleasant.
The original name points to its function as a hydroelectric station, a function that is now completely invisible while the building continues as offices and hotel. This hidden history shows how Barcelona's infrastructure lives on beneath the visible city without being noticed.
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