Puerto Venecia is Spain’s largest leisure and retail destination, uniquely set amongst the beautiful pine forests of northeastern Spain’s Aragon region.
We played the role of placemaking consultant and project landscape architects, working alongside local Spanish designers to develop a vibrant public realm strategy for the development.
The project was challenged with both location and timing issues. Situated outside the key population centres of Madrid and Barcelona, Puerto Venecia was developed during an economic downturn characterized by 25% unemployment. This made our ambition to create something truly unique even more essential, with a no-holds-barred approach adopted for ideas and creativity to be discussed around the team.
After opening in October 2012, Puerto Venecia attracted 2 million visitors in the first month and now attracts over 19 million visitors a year, with the scheme receiving a prestigious MAPIC Award in 2013 for Best Retail & Leisure Development.
The leisure offer is very much integrated into the core of the scheme, with a 7500m² lake at the heart of the site. Visitors can take a boat out on the water, try out the surfing wave or relax at the waterside ‘beaches’ and restaurants.
A climbing wall, play fountains and a 120m zip wire over the lake all combine to create a truly enjoyable experience for the whole family.
Statuesque tree planting within the site echoes the surrounding Spanish pine forests with 8m tall semi-mature Aleppo Pines (Pinus halepensis) surrounding the central lake.
MAPIC Award 2013 – Best Retail and Leisure Development
Best Shopping Centre in Spain awarded by AECC at 19th Spanish Congress of Shopping Centres 2014
LEED Gold Certificate
