Author Archives: Ale Brett

Meet The Agent: Alex Mompó

In our new series #SIRTalks, we will be interviewing a series of guests, from local architects, interior designers in Barcelona, to our own agents and collaborators.

Our first episode features Alex Mompó, one of our most experienced agents, offering you an opportunity to get to know him better.

 

 

What do you love most about Barcelona?

“Having spent a decade in Barcelona after moving from the Costa Brava, it’s been a transformative experience for me. Socially and ideologically, I’ve met people from diverse backgrounds, enriching my perspective. Barcelona’s charm lies in its welcoming streets and diverse cultural tapestry. Simply put, I adore Barcelona!”

What’s a must-visit gem in the city?

“Reflecting on Barcelona’s magnificence, one hidden gem stands out for me and my family – Jardines de Muñoz Ramonet. Tucked away in the Muntaner area, these quaint gardens offer a tranquil retreat. Perfect for unwinding amidst nature, reading a book, or admiring the sculptures, it’s a slice of paradise. A delightful escape from the everyday bustle.”


(Check out his interview on our Youtube channel)

How does Barcelona’s architecture showcase its culture and art?

“Barcelona’s architectural splendor owes much to a significant economic boom in the last century. This era fostered a renaissance in art and culture, reflected in the city’s stunning facades. Masters like Gaudí left an indelible mark, blending neo-Gothic and modernist styles to beautify Barcelona. Artistry flourishes in every corner, with Gaudí’s works serving as global landmarks.”

What’s the allure of being a real estate agent?

“For me, it’s the joy of connecting with people. While my journey into real estate was serendipitous, it’s a profession that’s deeply fulfilling. Our reputation draws individuals worldwide, each with their compelling stories and investment aspirations. My role involves forging connections, learning about their ventures and triumphs – an immensely enriching experience.”

Any tips for those eyeing luxury properties in Barcelona?

“Follow your heart, I always advise. Your property should evoke a unique sense of belonging, alongside prudent investment considerations. With our expert guidance – comprising agents, legal counsel, and industry specialists – navigating the process becomes seamless. Together, we ensure a gratifying journey for all involved.”

What To Do in Eixample Right

In this section, we want to share with you the best culinary and leisure recommendations in Barcelona, carefully selected by the team at Barcelona & Costa Brava Sotheby’s International Realty.

Where timeless elegance meets historic charm, welcome to Barcelona’s Eixample Right neighborhood. Offering an eclectic blend of culture, cuisine, and entertainment, including some of the best restaurants in Barcelona. It is also where you will find a lot of the city’s famous landmarks (including our main office in Casa Amatller!).

From architectural marvels to hidden gems, this bustling district embodies the essence of cosmopolitan living.

El Nacional

Photo via: El Nacional

A stunning open gastronomic space featuring four restaurants and four bars that will allow you to try traditional recipes from around the Iberian Peninsula, prepared with high quality products in the heart of Barcelona.

Location: Passeig de Gràcia. 24

Boca Chica

Photo via: Boca Chica

Experience the vibrant Barcelona nightlife in Bar Boca Chica, one of the most chic bars in town. Where the glamorous ambiance and signature cocktails create an unforgettable evening. Soak in the fun atmosphere of this renowned establishment.

Location: Passeig de la Concepció. 12

 

Sorolla Expo

Photo via: Barcelona Secreta

Explore the vibrant world of Joaquin Sorolla at Casa Amatller, where an exceptional and innovative exhibition showcases the renowned artist’s captivating works. Immerse yourself in his impressionistic style and experience the beauty of his masterpieces in a brand new light.

Location: Passeig de Gràcia, 41

 

Passeig de Gràcia

Photo via: Paseodegracia.com

If you are looking for luxury shopping in Barcelona, Passeig de Gràcia will be your ultimate destination. Here, luxury boutiques and designer labels are nestled inside beautiful buildings that epitomize the iconic architectural style of Eixample. Experience the perfect blend of haute couture and historical charm as you stroll along this prestigious avenue.

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Don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date with our “do not miss” spots in Barcelona, as well as surrounding areas of the city. We will recommend anything from a new restaurant in town to a seasonal exposition in the nearest museum, hoping to shed light on some of the best that Barcelona has to offer.

 

Brief guide to the neighborhoods of Barcelona: Eixample Dreta

In Barcelona & Costa Brava we know very well the importance of location as a determining factor when buying a property in Barcelona. It is the essence of our work: to find the property, in the perfect location, that meets your expectations and suits your needs. With that purpose, we revisit this guide in our blog with renewed momentum, enriched with the experiences gained in recent years.

Buying in the right place: L’Eixample Dreta

Welcome to the enclave of the architectural wonders of Catalan modernism!

When we think of Barcelona, an image inevitably comes to mind that, without a doubt, falls within L’Eixample, and more specifically on the right side of this urban jewel designed by Ildefons Cerdà in the late nineteenth century.

It is the perfect choice to acquire a home in which to feel and breathe the most authentic and globally recognizable atmosphere of the city, and where you can enjoy the cultural, leisure, and gastronomic offerings that this cosmopolitan metropolis has to offer.

Passeig de Gràcia, the most elegant street in the city, is home to the most exclusive and luxurious stores in the world, coexisting with the iconic Casa Batlló and Gaudí’s Pedrera. In its buildings, you will find incredible penthouses with privileged views and maximum luxury, fantastic apartments in completely renovated buildings, or characteristic apartment buildings with high ceilings, moldings, and Nolla floors, typical of modernist brilliance.

The Rambla de Catalunya, parallel to Passeig de Gràcia, preserves in the facades of its buildings all the stately and noble charm of the early nineteenth century that extends through most of the streets of the Eixample, where you can find architectural renovated gems or to be renovated. Completely renovated buildings offer apartments that combine modernity with inimitable handcrafted finishes; you may even be able to acquire an impressive palace of undeniable beauty.

It is impossible not to mention streets like Ausiàs Marc or Girona, where the splendor of the bourgeoisie of the textile industry left century-old buildings with beautiful floors with high ceilings and luminous, as well as impressive ground floors with majestic details. If you decide to live in this area of the Eixample adjacent to the Gothic Quarter, you will never cease to discover unique details on the facades such as doors, wrought ironwork, and incredibly elaborate glass windows.

The most recent urban renewal of the Eixample Dreta has converted the streets of Girona and Consell de Cent into pedestrian walkways providing traffic relief and revaluing the properties in the surrounding buildings.

Would you like to explore the exclusive properties we have available in Eixample Dreta, Barcelona?

 

Brief guide of Barcelona’s neighbourhoods: Ciutat Vella

Buy in the right place of the city: Ciutat Vella

Barcelona Skyline

If you are a foreigner or national who has surrendered to the charms of Barcelona for any of the thousands reasons that this city offers to choose it, be Welcome!

To a large extent, that reason that has made you decide to acquire a property in Barcelona will also help you to choose the neighborhood that best meets your expectations and suits your needs. Truely is that Barcelona, ​​as a cosmopolitan city, has developed so many different areas with its own character that each person and family will find in at least one of them the place that makes them feel always at home.

The team of Barcelona Sotheby’s International Realty has specialized in some of the most emblematic neighborhoods of the city, which added to the experience that gives us dealing with customers and the knowledge that each of our advisors has of the city, has made us write this brief guide to helping you decide on the most suitable neighborhood according to your lifestyle.

It is very important to consider the reasons that bring you to Barcelona. Do you need a pied-a-terre? Are you coming for work reasons? Do you want to make an investment? Are you looking for a change of life, or need a bigger or smaller home? The needs and options are diverse, and surely they fit in any of the neighborhoods included in this brief summary that we start in:

Ciutat Vella

It is the oldest district, the embryo of the city, from where Barcelona starts and everything begins. So, if you like the millenary history of the city, its culture, heritage, the most varied gastronomy and entertainment, you can find in this district your ideal neighborhood.

Ref. BCNP2106 | con vista sobre el histórico mercado de El Born

Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera It houses a unique market, museums, libraries and the great Parc de la Ciutadella one of the green lungs of the city. The most characteristic and demanded area is El Born, an in vogue neighborhood that stands out as the boundary between L’Eixample Dreta and the rest of the Gothic Quarter. With its excellent cuisine and nightlife made many people to find in their buildings apartments with heritage and flats that mix charm and modernity.

The Gótic Quarter on the other hand, concentrates the Roman origins of the city. One of the most known and valued tourist areas, where in its narrow streets full of history we’ll find the Cathedral, old churches, the headquarters of La Generalitat and the City Hall. It is also home to many artists and bohemians with their small workshops, and amazing curious shops. In this neighborhood  you can buy beautiful mansions or unique apartments that make you breathe and live the history of Barcelona from within.

Ref. BCNP2130 | Attic with views over Port Vell

La Barceloneta: If in addition to history, you look for a pied-a-terre property close to the sea, or want to invest in a neighborhood with tradition and gastronomy specializing in seafood, this is your place. Any of the traditional streets of Barceloneta leads you directly and in few minutes to La Barceloneta promenade. You can find interesting properties with style and character, which could be your ideal investment option.

Paseo Marítimo de La Barceloneta

El Raval: La Rambla, La Boquería market and the Museum of Contemporary Art are the first things that comes to mind about a neighborhood that has undergone a great transformation in recent years. A neighborhood with character, multicultural and a lot of nightlife.  

However, if what you look is to live the Modernist Barcelona, ​​near the best schools in the city or in a small seaside village that has recently joined the city, in the next posts we will explain about L’Eixample, the “high zone” of the city, Poblenou and Diagonal Mar.

Of course, the last choice will be yours!

The future of augmented reality | 2018 Mobile World Congress

The Future of Augmented Reality

The world of Science-Fiction and pop-culture have long presented us with the promise of a connected and technology-enhanced future; for more than a century, the smartest minds in the world have been tirelessly working behind the scenes to make that fiction a reality.

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A Sunday in Barcelona

Barcelona

Whether you spend the day exploring local art and architecture, browsing market stops, or indulging in culinary delights, there’s no denying the seventh and final day of the week is reserved for discovery as a ritual. This Sunday, we explore the best of Barcelona.

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Barcelona has south: Gavà Mar and Castelldefels

Gavà Mar

In Spain we have a reputation for knowing how to enjoy life. Sun, beaches, good food, parties and all in the company of friends and family. Both in Gavà Mar and in Castelldefels, both in the southernmost part of the community of Barcelona, ​​it is possible to find these ingredients of happiness and much more.

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The WOW effect of Home Staging

renovated apartment in the Eixample estate

If the objective is to sell our property, then adding value to the asset is a key to attract the eyes of the customers. This is where Home Staging professionals intervene with their creativity and their techniques. But … what is Home Staging? Literally means “staging the house” and it is a set of knowledge and marketing tools put at the service of a home to be sold or rented as quickly as possible and at the best price.

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