AzkunaZentroa (Alhóndiga)

La Alhóndiga, the old wine, liquor and oil warehouse in the centre of Bilbao, was rebuilt, maintaining the exterior structure of the original building, inaugurated in 1909, designed by Ricardo Bastida.

BILBAO Ría 2000 was responsible for managing the work on the new building, now called Azkuna Zentroa, and also contributed six million Euros from the Abandoibarra action. The conversion project was by Philippe Starck.

The work was particularly complex due to the preservation of the Alhóndiga’s historical elements and its location right in the centre, surrounded by buildings.

The new centre, a new benchmark for cultural activities in Bilbao, includes a large atrium and three interior buildings housing a media library, an auditorium, cinemas, exhibition halls, a gym, a swimming pool, a solarium and catering facilities.