No es cada día que nos llega una nota de prensa así. Honestamente, nos faltan las palabras. Juzgad vosotros mismos. Aquí abajo os dejamos el texto original copiado y pegado de la nota de prensa. (Disclaimer: This text has been cut and pasted from a press release. This is not advertising. We’re publishing this because we believe that this is important information for the citizens of Barcelona and to highlight how surreal this world can be.)
Casa Burés – a Modernista legacy
After more than 100,000 working hours by a 50-strong restoration team, one of Barcelona’s most iconic buildings has finally been brought back to life.
Casa Burés is the culmination of 3 intense years of meticulous renovation by 9 specialist restoration teams, resulting in the creation of 26 exquisite residences, comprising 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, lofts and penthouses.
Constructed between 1900 and 1905 by Catalan architect Francesc Berenguer i Mestres, a close collaborator of Antoni Gaudí, Casa Burés takes its name from its first proprietor, Francesc Burés, who was behind one of Spain’s most successful textile companies. The building was bought by Barcelona Town Hall in 2007 and was sold to the regional government (Generalitat) in 2009 when it remained unoccupied until it was bought by London-based real estate investment firm Europa Capital with local partners Bonavista Developments in 2014 for just under €19 million.
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
17 out of the 26 homes have been sold so far, the majority to international buyers as a second residence although former FC Barcelona player Isaac Cuenca is one of a handful of Spanish buyers. Prices for the remaining apartments range from €1.625 million to €3.525 million.
Exclusively marketed by leading luxury real estate agent Lucas Fox, Casa Burés is the first Modernista building in Barcelona solely dedicated to residences.
“Only extremely rarely do the most unique and exclusive elements come together to produce something that is truly one-of-a-kind,” comments Lucas Fox co-founder Alexander Vaughan. “Offering exquisitely renovated homes with an array of on-demand high-end services as well as luxurious communal areas, this incredible refurbishment has provided the market with a residential product like no other.”
Casa Burés’ residents have access to a rooftop terrace with a 20 metre pool which includes views of the Mediterranean and Gaudí’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. The lower ground communal area (the former headquarters of the Burés business) includes a large kitchen, spacious entertaining/dining area, laundry room, spa and a 24 metre indoor pool, amenities rarely seen in other Barcelona developments.
The renovation process
The painstaking renovation process included the restoration of murals and painted ceilings and the restoration and replication of ornamental ceilings as well as the removal and restoration of original wooden beams, the vast stained glass ceiling in the entrance hall and the mosaic flooring involving more than 30,000 individual pieces.
“The 3-year renovation of Casa Burés has not only preserved the building’s structure and its listed decorative elements, but has also maintained all the advantages of its Modernista architecture: light, space, habitability, high quality materials and maximum comfort,” explains Bonavista founding partner Marcus Donaldson. “This has been a unique opportunity to bring back to life a truly special work of art. As the project comes to a close, I feel a combination of pride, joy, relief and definitely a sense of sadness, as we are all fully aware that Casa Burés is a one-off.
