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The Mirror Barcelona

Award winning design hotel

21.01.13

Buildings can play host to multiple different functions over time, as economic circumstances evolve and needs dictate if they are sufficiently flexible existing structures can be adapted to new uses. This is the case with The Mirror Hotel located on C. Còrsega 255 in the Eixample just minutes from Passeig de Gràcia which recently won a prestigious European Design Hotel Award for best conversion of an office building into a hotel. The architects and interior designers have overcome the difficulties of the deep plan and mid block location in order to create a clever, literate and distinctive interior. Natural daylight is introduced via a central atrium that also accommodates the vertical circulation and a bar area on the ground floor.  The reception area together with The Mirror Restaurant (directed by Michelin star winning Chef Paco Pérez specialising in fish and seafood from the Costa Brava) and the bar occupy the entire ground floor while the upper floors and penthouse levels provide 63 rooms in total all with views to the surrounding city. 

Josep Riu of GCA arquitectes Associats is responsible for the refurbishment of this obsolete office building into a four star hotel. Over the course of its life the building which originally a single story structure with a basement added in 1962 and later taking its present day form when it became occupied by Seat and was subsequently used by the Amaya insurance company after another refurbishment project after it was vacated by Seat. Its characteristic metal facade with horizontal setbacks is characteristic of this period and contrasts with its more classical neighbours. The building has nine storeys over basement level including two set back penthouse floors. 

  • The atrium with its sculptures recalling 'Wing of Desire'

  • The central atrium with vertical circulation

  • The hotel facade to C. Còrsega

    The optimum layout, reflective materials and selection of designer furniture and works of art make this a solid addition to Barcelona’s collection of designer hotels deserving to be discovered by locals and not just be enjoyed by visitors to the city whether it be for a cocktail or a meal at its restaurant. The Mirror provides an excellent example of how design and architecture when properly integrated and just applied in a superficial manner can solve problems and provide distinctive design solutions.

  • The hotel rooms continue the reflective theme of the hotel

  • The colour white dominates the interior spaces

  • The building was once the offices for ethe Seat car company

  • Atrium and cocktail bar

  • The Mirror Restaurant with its interior design inspired by water, light and the colour white