Stunning new Encants market opens to acclaim
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06 February 2015Barcelona has unveiled a stunning new market: the new Encants Barcelona flea market, which opened last September 25th.
The new Encants market facility is both a commitment to the quality of the Encants markets and the future of markets as key socioeconomic drivers in Barcelona.
When the city council and stallholders agreed five years ago to move the Encants Market across the road from its previous Glòries location, few could have imagined the result would be so stunning.
Designed by architect Fermín Vázquez as an open square blending with various levels of surrounding streets to create slightly inclining ramps, the new market cost 57 million euros, financed by the city council, via council-led companies BIMSA and the Municipal Markets Agency IMMB, with a contribution from stall-holders.
Over 90,000 people visit Els Encants market every week, and you can find practically everything except food retail.
The vast majority of stall holders have moved with the new Encants from the original La Fira de Bellcaire site just nearby to its new location at 73 Av Meridiana.
The 280-odd stalls located at the new site offer a wide range of shopping choices from ironwork to perfumes. And while the word flea market does apply to the new Encants, its products and services offer much more, with eateries, bars and ancillary services, not to mention the amazing array of products on sale.
Shop opening hours have also changed with the new location, and opening times on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are from 9 am to 8 pm, staying open midday. There will be some public open days and this new Barcelona icon is expected to take an active role in the cultural promotion of the city.
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