Located at the foot of Plaça d'Espanya, the complex has successfully established itself, despite post-pandemic challenges and the ongoing extension works of the L8 of the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC). Currently, only one commercial space remains vacant, a remarkable achievement in today's retail landscape.
Inaugurated on March 24, 2011, the project was designed by Richard Rogers and Alonso y Balaguer, respecting the original circular structure of the bullring. The renovation involved the epic elevation of its Neo-Mudéjar facade to allow for underground construction, creating 31,000 m² of retail and leisure spaces. Since its opening, it has welcomed approximately 115 million visitors, with an annual average of 10 million in recent years, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic periods.
The center, owned by Merlin Properties, has distinguished itself by its strategy of not including any brands from the Inditex group, unlike most other shopping centers in the city. Its offerings include stores such as US Polo Assn, Mango, Desigual, Pepco, and FNAC, as well as a wide variety of restaurants including Abrassame, El Mussol, and Taco Bell.
The early 20th-century bullring is a rarity among Barcelona's commercial venues, due to its history and architectural appeal.
In addition to retail and dining, Arenas de Barcelona strongly commits to leisure and immersive experiences. It features Mobby Cinemas (12 screens), the immersive museum Ikono, and spaces like Giga, currently hosting the 'Antarctica' exhibition, and Eclipso, with the 'Titanic' exhibition and the 'Coliseo' option, both utilizing virtual and augmented reality. It also boasts a Metropolitan gym with an outdoor athletics track and spa.
Its strategic location, with direct access to metro lines L1 and L3, an underground connection to the FGC, and a large parking facility with 1,025 spaces, facilitates the arrival of visitors from both Barcelona and the metropolitan area, solidifying its status as a landmark for tourism and local residents.
