Address Carrer Sol Naciente 18 Country Spain Height 111 m Opened 1963 | Town or city Albufereta, Alicante Floor count 30 Floors 30 Province Province of Alicante | |
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Alternative names Torre Vistamar de la Albufereta Similar Costa Blanca, Estudiotel Alicante, Mount Benacantil, Gran Sol, Canelobre Caves | ||
El Barco (The Ship) is a residential apartment tower in Albufereta, Alicante, Spain. It is formally called Torre Vistamar de la Albufereta, meaning "Albufereta Sea View Tower".
Map of El Barco, 03016 Alacant, Alicante, Spain
El Barco was one of a cluster of buildings erected in the former village of Albufereta for "Pied-Noirs", or residents from France and other European countries, during the Franco regime. It was completed in 1963. The building was designed by Juan Guardiola, inspired by the Pirelli Tower designed by Giò Ponti in Milan. It takes its common name from its boat-shaped floor plan. El Barco is one of the most distinctive buildings of Alicante. It has an unusual lattice-work facade protecting the rear wall and windows, which was preserved during renovations completed in 2011.
As of 2013 El Barco ranked in height as #370 in Europe and #34 in Spain. At 111 metres (364 ft) El Barco is the second tallest building in Alicante, after Estudiotel Alicante at 117 metres (384 ft). The third tallest is Gran Sol at 97 metres (318 ft).
In December 2006 the building was effectively isolated from vehicle access when the Sol Naciente access road collapsed, requiring construction of a new retaining wall along the beach.