Two afternoons a week, shortly before nightfall, the designer Montse R. jogs along the Barcelona coastline, be it winter or summer. But for a couple of months her route has been “much more beautiful” and stimulating. She reaches the Nou Passeig del Trencaones but without losing sight of the sea. The key is the Vela viewpoint, which connects the Paseo del Mare Nostrum with the Plaza de la Rosa dels Vents to be able to continue to the renovated breakwater at once. That icing released at the end of June has further boosted the thriving area of the Nova Bocana, which extended the beach route of Barcelona and where the urban development of the area together with a balanced offer of restaurants and terraces have made it a trendy hub on the coast. draw a lucky dand Mediterranean ‘South beach’, where sea baths, running, skating, training, walks, dinners, first drinks and more are combined.
The premiere of the viewpoint, which cost 1.5 million by Nova Bocana (the company that manages this area under concession) involved facilitating a walking route with views of the sea of about six kilometers if you start at the Fòrum. Until then, once you reached the Hotel W (known as Vela) had to be surrounded from behind, through a much less attractive area pending the final works that will begin shortly. But the new space favors the complete walk, to end in a much more pleasant way in the Trencaones section, inaugurated at the end of 2018, with 400 meters in length that end in stands with fabulous views of the sunset.
That ride and the Marina Vela environment –the new port located behind the hotel–, already added 36,000 square meters of public space, to which the Vela viewpoint has been added. Throughout the day it attracts users who access at a good pace by the stairs that climb this space, about 11 meters above the sea, before continuing to the end of the route. Some delivered to the ‘running’, and others for a walk. These last ones are entertained in the contemplation of the ‘skyline’ of the city, covering with the view until the Maresme, and gaining a new perspective of the iconic luxury hotel that Ricardo Bofill designed 11 years ago as the first big bet in an area that was pending development and somewhat degraded.
Another of the star reasons for the visits are the quoted ‘selfie‘ with a Barcelona background, an image widely disseminated on social networks due to its color: from the sand to Barceloneta or the local architecture. At sunset, skaters also enjoy the area, and there are many couples perched on the viewpoint, especially with a full moon. As there have been no incidents or bottle, access remains open at night.
Gastronomic offer
At the foot of the hotel there are several restaurants with power of attraction and above all Mediterranean proposals (currently, Julieta’s, Salt and Salt Beach, Pez Vela, Tejada Mar and Gallito), behind is Maná 75 (specializing in rice dishes). And within the Marina there are a few establishments that have been able to set this area on the route of many Barcelonans and visitors, with flirty terraces. It is headed by Velíssima, the fashionable Italian inspired by the Dolce Vitta who a few days ago Messi went to have dinner with Busquets and Alba –also to have a drink–. And he has closed the gastronomic quota, just above, the brand new Anita’s, the new bet of the growing Isabella’s group, with brunch, drinks, salads and hamburgers.
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Only one more kitchen is planned in the area, although at a certain distance, in the building that will crown the urbanization of the new Rambla de Mar. This axis between Marina Vela and the Llevant dock will be for public use. In fact, the space set up between the Paseo de Joan de Borbó and the Bocana Norte will occupy some 10,000 square metres, where benches, informative elements of the port and sculptural elements will be installed. There will also be a new viewpoint, with stands, as the Port of Barcelona advanced, which will play a leading role in the Copa América de Vela in 2024.
The works, which will begin next January, will cost €2.4 millions, in charge of the management company of the marina, Port Med. Shortly before, in the last quarter, the long-awaited transformation of the Llevant sheds for educational and nautical uses will begin, budgeted at six million euros, with a duration of one year. All eyes are now on the outcome for the site that was the Hermitage, which was opposed by the Ada Colau city council.