Julio Redacción

The great presence of commercial establishments in cities like Barcelona or Girona contrasts with the little support of the Administration. Despite the economic benefit of shopping tourism.

The importance of the commercial fabric in Catalonia has led to the creation of a new tool that offers useful information of the main commercial axes.

‘Center of Commercial Establishments of Catalonia’ is a document prepared by the Generalitat and the General Council of Cambres de Catalunya.

According to the census, Catalonia has 86,418 commercial enterprises and a total of 101,319 establishments. An economic fabric from which an average commercial density of 13.47 stores per thousand inhabitants is extracted. This figure exceeds cities such as Barcelona and Girona with more than 16 shops for every 1,000 residents.

In this context, the good health of shopping tourism is fundamental for the survival of a good number of shops. In fact, according to a recent study shops in the city of Barcelona must one in five euros to tourism. And its disappearance would lead to the closure of 1,200 of the commercial establishments.

An economic benefit worth protecting!

Business establishments in Catalonia

The census of the distribution of shops in the Catalan geography puts in value their role in the local economy. Especially in those cities with the greatest number of inhabitants. Those with more than 75,000 inhabitants.

Among them stands the city’s highest commercial density: Girona. With less than 100,000 inhabitants, Girona has 16.67 commercial establishments for every 1,000 residents. In addition to considerably large establishments (2,274 m2 / 1,000 inhabitants).

The second densest city is Barcelona, with 16.24 shops. And a total commercial area of 2.7 million square meters.

Not in vain, two of the major commercial hubs of Barcelona are among the three most exclusive in Spain. The Portal de l’Àngel (280 € / m2 per month) is the national leader and Paseo de Gracia (250 € / m2 per month) is third behind Calle Preciados.

The case of the province of Girona not only affects the capital, but also to the other regions that raise the average to 15.40 shops per thousand inhabitants. In fact, Alt Empordà (18,84 est) and Baix Empordà (17,81 est) surpass the capital of Gironès.

While in the province of Barcelona, other areas near the city of Barcelona such as Sabadell (12,44 est.), Terrassa (12,21 est.), Hospitalet de Llob. (11.79 est) or Sant Cugat (10.73 est) also has a significant presence of shops.

Importance of shopping tourism

The international impact of cities such as Barcelona is closely related to tourism. The arrival of numerous visitors, whether for holidays or business, affects a large number of shops and services. Not to mention the benefit for sectors such as real estate.

‘Economic impact of tourist purchases in the city of Barcelona’ , a study by RBD Consulting Group estimates that the turnover of shopping tourism is about 2,000 million euros per year. A volume of sales that in Barcelona supposes 19% of the total.

In fact, its disappearance would entail the closure of at least 1,200 commercial establishments. A negative impact on both the economy and the employment or investment that Barcelona currently receives.

Really, the city needs is just the opposite. To put in value the importance of the tourist in the local economy, and to develop in this way other commercial axes like the Avda Diagonal and Gran Via.

Two large arteries of commercial connectivity that could increase up to 5% the turnover of commercial establishments.

The importance of shopping tourism for shops makes the most sought after shopping streets are precisely the best known by visitors.

Barcelona has several shopping centers frequented by all types of visitors, from lovers of culture or music to participants in congresses.

To the profitability of the main commercial streets of the city condal is added the great amount of visitors that can congregate in a few days. Tourists looking for the big firms. Like those of the Mobile World Congress, for which it has come to enable shuttle buses for shopping.

During the last months, several studies have coincided in pointing out the importance of the visitor for the commercial axes of Barcelona. Avenues, boulevards and shopping streets that stand out among the most important in Europe.

Although the Portal de l’Àngel and Paseo de Gracia are still the most quoted by the brands. Detail that makes the difference in rental income.

Tourist as the king of shopping

The tourist record of 2016 has had an undoubted impact on the economy of cities like Barcelona.

The trade association Barcelona Oberta is working on a report on the impact of the visitor on the main purchasing axes of the city. A report, which is still in the process of being drawn up, is already bringing forward data of interest. Among them, that the most frequented streets should from 30 to 60% of their turnover to tourism.

Here are the main avenues of the Eixample, such as Paseo de Gracia and Rbla Catalunya, areas bordering the Ciutat Vella, such as Pl Catalunya and Pelai Street, and large axes of the Old Town, such as La Rambla or part of the Born.

All of them above other areas like the rest of the Quadrat d’Or and the renewed Avda Diagonal. Indeed, the arrival of tourists has managed to compensate for the slow recovery in domestic consumption.

A matter of which some axes like the Paseo de Gracia can give good account. This emblematic boulevard, desired by all luxury brands, owes more than 80% of its turnover to the foreign visitor. But it also attracts other audiences: investors.

The high concentration of commercial streets in Barcelona, opposite Madrid, is perfect for the tourist to enjoy a great showcase in the blink of an eye. Therefore, the Paseo de Gracia is home to millionaire investments, in front of axes like the Born.

Why the tourist always looks for the reference boulevard, while the local buyer looks for alternative places.

Elite in the commercial streets of Barcelona

On the second anniversary of its renovation, what differentiates Avda Diagonal from Paseo de Gracia?

Much more than it seems. La Diagonal has managed to be a viable and commercially profitable axis. But despite the short distance, it is still far from the Barcelona walk of reference.

The new design and the pacification of the traffic have managed to give life to the section that goes under Sant Gervasi-Galvany. Most of its premises have a tenant and incomes have risen 22% a year. However, this figure is only a fifth of the rent in the Portal de l’Àngel or the Paseo de Gracia.

Two axes located in the elite of the European shopping streets, as Ascana recalls.

These are data very similar to those published by Cushman & Wakefield. In which both the Diagonal and Paseo de Gracia are clear examples of two rising axes.

Although, with the current rate of rise in prices, the Diagonal can climb positions very soon. As long as the tourist gets carried away, and not only is territory of local consumption.

Introducing plant envelopes in urban buildings allows not only green cities, but also more efficient buildings and healthier environments.

It is demonstrated that people living surrounded by green areas have a greater longevity and a better quality of life.

From physical and mental health to general well-being, plant elements are basic in the so-called green cities that are committed to sustainability.

The report ‘Cities Alive: Green building envelope’, prepared by Arup, reflects on some solutions applicable to buildings. Measures that aim to bring greater welfare to residents. In addition to making cities more sustainable.

This document is the result of a total of eight expert working groups from around the world. Specialists in architecture and urban planning who study how the growth of cities demands greater resources and construction has a direct impact on biodiversity.

The work evaluates the benefits of integrated plant elements in buildings of five capitals. Ways to integrate vegetation, provide energy efficiency and improve quality of life.

Cities facing pollution

Global urbanization is growing to such an extent that by 2025, about 75% of the world’s population will live in cities.

A group of people capable of consuming 70% of the world’s energy and posing a challenge for architects. But also a unique opportunity for today’s cities to be ready for tomorrow.

The issue is more urgent than it seems, since issues such as air pollution affect 1.780 million people. Originating all kinds of diseases.

The report, prepared by Arup, studies the multiple benefits of so-called plant envelopes in all types of buildings.

From facades, vertical gardens and covered to systems of food and energy storage or natural corridors.

Plant elements in green cities

The ‘Cities Alive’ study takes five green cities around the world: Berlin, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne and Hong Kong. Based on its climatology, morphology and geographical location, different architectural solutions are proposed:

1.- Air pollution: Implementing green facades in buildings reduces urban pollution. The vegetation elements of the facades can filter the pollutants, reducing the local concentration of particles of the urban helmet between 10% and 20%.

2.- Acoustic impact: Green facades can reduce the general noise level, absorbing it and avoiding its impact on human health.

3. The urban psychological effect: The vegetal elements contribute to reduce noise, giving a calm feeling, and evoke sounds of nature, such as the singing of birds and the wind hitting the leaves.

4.- The lowest energy consumption: Facades and vegetable roofs mitigate the high levels of solar radiation. In dense cities you can reduce the ambient temperature by 10 ° C. While energy consumption is reduced by 2% to 8%.

All these solutions must be accompanied by projects beyond the urban center, peripheral neighborhoods. This is the only way to create green cities with optimal conditions to ensure sustainability and reduce environmental impact.

Overcoming the worst years for construction, new aspects in the residential market begin to gain weight, such as sustainability and efficiency. And the wooden houses respond to both.

The end of the crisis and a concern for the environment, have put into value things that once seemed superficial. This is the case of building systems committed to sustainability and energy efficiency.

After a deep drought in real estate activity, many builders have had to abandon and some have survived. But nothing will ever be the same again.

The need to industrialize the process to make it profitable and the new requirements that demand greater efficiency and sustainability in the building have changed an entire industry.

In the middle of this change, some companies have started to offer a different product: buildings with wooden structure. Systems that until now were relegated to second homes and now reach multi-family buildings with urban character.

Some examples are seen in Gracia, Sants or Poble Sec. Although the most ambitious is yet to come. The building constructed in wood with greater height of all Spain.

Wooden houses with urban character

Examples of wooden houses are not new in Barcelona. The first project was the neighborhood of Coll, in the district of Gracia.

The construction was a single family house with a total area of 346m2, between a ground floor, two floors, a loft and a roof.

In Sants neighborhood, very close to the station, a multi-family building with four houses was also built. The project, located in the street Melcior of Palau, preserved the original facade for preexisting a listed farm.

Also remember a project in the street calle Magalhães in Poble Sec. It was the construction of a corner building, with double facade, two medianeras and even lift. The finca was divided into six houses distributed on 4 floors.

All these projects announce not only a new way of building but also the return of another: wooden houses.

A type of construction in line with a requirement that will be mandatory in 2018. In less than a year, all public buildings must have a virtually zero consumption. Will we be prepared for it?

A building of reference in Barcelona

The old factory complex of Can Batlló has set in motion an experience that wants to serve as a model for future constructive projects. The Borda cooperative has begun to build a block of 28 homes, seven per plant with 24 meters in height.

This project will be built on a lot ceded by the Barcelona City Council. The assignment, for a period of 75 years extendable to 15 more, responds to an associative project but also sustainable and efficient.

It is an entirely wood construction, developed by a team of architects. A project that will be built with methods of proven reliability and that poses a minimum environmental impact.

To finance the construction of the block, budgeted at 3 million euros budget and with a lead time of about 14 months, the cooperative has had to turn to banks. In addition to the contributions of the partners, they cover 20% of the total expenditure.

The recovery of consumption, the rebound of the real estate market and a record year for tourism have been key to positioning the main commercial streets of Madrid and Barcelona.

Barcelona and Madrid position some of their great avenues in the international map of the ‘retail’.

The ‘Ascana 2016 Report’ has been almost a decade as one of the main reference guides for the sector as far as commercial premises are concerned. Annual study from which the Ascana Index is extracted.

This is an analysis of the main shopping streets of Madrid and Barcelona, where the security and profitability of investment in prime rents is compared.

The latest edition of the report continues to raise rental income over the previous year. This time with an average increase of 7.3%, leaving the average return for the investor by 4%.

Great news for the real estate market!

Main shopping streets in Madrid

Madrid is experiencing a great moment in the commercial sector. Both by demand of premises in prime areas as by the rebound of rental income in the main shopping streets.

The average capital of prime rents has increased by 5.8% per year, driven by large investment operations in the capital.

In that sense, Preciados street stands out as the most exclusive with an income of 275 € / m2 per month. Followed closely by Calle Serrano (245 € / m2), Gran Vía (225 € / m2), and Ortega y Gasset (190 € / m2).

Also note Fuencarral street (145 € / m2) and Goya Street (115 € / m2).

At the activity level, most of the streets are below the ten operations, with the exception of Fuencarral and Gran Vía with a score of annual transactions.

While profitability is around 4%, only surpassed by Fuencarral (4.4%), Ortega y Gasset (4.5%) and Goya (5%).

Main shopping streets of Barcelona

Barcelona has experienced an exercise marked by the great interest of investors. The large volume of demand and the scarcity of supply are straining excessively to the retail sector.

The city of Barcelona has a rise of 8.6% in prime rents, although the average profitability remains at 4%.

The most expensive artery, not only of Barcelona but of all Spain, is the Avda del Portal de l’Àngel. Its average rent is situated at 280 € / m2 per month, ahead of the emblematic Paseo de Gracia (250 € / m2).

Below 150 euros we find Portaferrisa Street (145 € / m2) and Pelai Street (130 € / m2).

Plaza Catalunya and La Rambla, a new landmark for brands, are also positioned. Both with 105 € / m2. While the Avda Diagonal is ‘off’ with 55 € / m2.

At the level of profitability, the highest profits are distributed between Pelai Street, Plaza Catalunya and La Rambla with 5.1%. And above all, Avda Diagonal, with 5.6%.

Reference route that put the Spanish retail on the map of the international prime rents.