Dominating the Barceloneta skyline, The Gas Natural Tower is one of the most unusual and innovative buildings in Barcelona. The Gas Natural Tower's cutting edge asymetrical design was the brainchild of Catalan architect Enric Miralles and the Italian architect Benedetta Tagliabue. It features in our list of Barcelona's Most Controversial Buildings.
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Since its construction in 2006 the Gas Natural Tower has had its share of admirers and detractors, making it one of the most controversial examples of modern architecture in the city. Its aggressive, gravity-defying design might strike some onlookers as ugly, but from every angle it is an extraordinary visual spectacle worth getting up close to and walking around.
The building is fragmented into three sections, with a four-storey section in the shape of a cascade and a five floor horizontal 'aircraft carrier' extension jutting out from a 22-floor, 90-metre tall tower.
Sadly you can't wander around inside. It's the headquarters of the gas company, which has owned the land for 160 years. In 1998 a competition was held to find a suitable design for an innovative functional, flexible office block and the duo of Miralles and Tagliabue won. Like it or loathe it, it's indubitably one of Barceloneta's most jaw-droppingly unique buildings.
Essential Info
Address: Ronda Litoral, Barcelona
How to Get There: The Gas Natural Towere is a five minute walk along Ronda Litoral from Barceloneta Metro Station, served by the Yellow Line.
Getting to Barcelona: Barcelona is served by Barcelona El Prat Airport, and Renfe trains connect from all other major Spanish cities to Sants Estacio.