Type Multi-purpose venue Location Bilbao, Basque Country Construction started 1905 Phone +34 944 01 40 14 | Architectural style Modernism Country Spain Completed 1909 | |
 | ||
Address Arriquíbar Plaza, 4, 48010 Bilbo, Bizkaia, Spain Hours Open today · 8:30AM–12AMSaturday8:30AM–12AMSunday8:30AM–11PMMonday7AM–11PMTuesday7AM–11PMWednesday7AM–11PMThursday7AM–11PMFriday7AM–12AM Similar Zubizuri, Plaza Nueva, Bilbao Fine Arts Museum, Bilbao Cathedral, Guggenheim Museum - Bilbao Profiles | ||
Los espacios de azkuna zentroa
Azkuna Zentroa (Basque for Azkuna Centre), previously known as Alhóndiga Bilbao ([aˈlondiɣa βilˈβao]), is a multi-purpose venue located in the city of Bilbao, Spain. It was designed by French designer Philippe Starck in collaboration with Thibaut Mathieu and was opened to the public in stages between 18 May and 24 October 2010. The venue, labeled as a "Culture and Leisure Centre", consist of a cinema multiplex, a fitness centre, a library, showrooms, an auditorium, shops, and a restaurant. In March 2015 its name was officially changed to Azkuna Zentroa in tribute to the late mayor of Bilbao Iñaki Azkuna.
Contents
Originally a wine warehouse (alhóndiga in Spanish), it was designed by Basque architect Ricardo Bastida and inaugurated in 1909. However, in the 1970s, a new warehouse was planned and the Alhóndiga was abandoned. Several projects were suggested, ranging from public housing, a museum of modern art, or even demolishing the entire building, but all were scrapped. Finally, in 1994 it was decided to renovate it and build a sports and culture centre. The Basque Government decided to declare the building "Public Property of Cultural Interest" in 1999.