| During the industrial revolution of the 19th century | | | | references in the design to the bell towers of the |
| the neighbourhood was of great importance to | | | | Sagrada Familia and to the Hotel Attraction, a |
| both Catalan and Iberian industry. The area, which | | | | Gaudà project for a skyscraper in New York, |
| at the time was mainly factories, earned its | | | | which he never realised. |
| nickname as the Catalan 'Manchester'. | | | | Close to the Torre Agbar is the Glories shopping |
| Many of the original buildings and industrial | | | | centre on Avenida Diagonal; the tree-lined |
| chimneys still exist; however, most have been | | | | boulevard is where you will find locals out walking, |
| converted into company and civic buildings. In | | | | jogging and cycling. |
| Poblenou the industrial revolution age sits next to | | | | Poblenou also has its own version of Las Ramblas, |
| futuristic with the @22 Barcelona technology | | | | the Rambla de Poblenou is lovely pedestrianised |
| district just around the corner and the ultra | | | | street, where residents step out to stroll, shop |
| modern building that houses the ME Barcelona | | | | and chat with the neighbours. Rambla de Poblenou |
| Hotel. | | | | stretches from Avenida Diagonal down to the Mar |
| However, the most notable and futuristic of them | | | | Bella Beach. |
| all is the Torre Agbar (Agbar Tower), designed by | | | | The Carrer de Maria Aguilo, which runs parallel |
| French architect Jean Nouvel, together with | | | | with the Rambla de Poblenou is a great street to |
| Spanish firm B720 Arquitectos. This 38-story | | | | wander down. It still retains much of the charm of |
| tower is located in the Barrio Poblenou, between | | | | the old neighbourhood. |
| Diagonal and Carrer Badajoz; on its inauguration in | | | | With its close proximity to the sea, you can find |
| 2005, it marked the start of the new | | | | some great local seafood restaurants in Poblenou, |
| technological era and district that was developing | | | | in Placa Prim (Prim Square) you find Els Pescador, |
| in Barcelona. | | | | one of the best fish restaurants in Barcelona. It |
| The design of the tower was inspired by | | | | has to be experienced. |
| Montserrat, which is a mountain close to Barcelona | | | | Poblenou is by far one of the more dynamic |
| and also by a geyser shooting up into the air. It | | | | neighbourhoods of Barcelona; from its old industrial |
| could also be mistaken for the Norman Foster | | | | roots to its pioneering technological community. |
| designed 30 St Mary Axe skyscraper. | | | | The area certainly knows how to combine old |
| According to Torre Agbar designer Jean Nouvel, | | | | charm and local hospitality with the truly cutting |
| the greatest and most influential Catalan architect, | | | | edge. |
| Antoni Guadà influenced the construction, with | | | | |