The long-awaited Archie Living has arrived in Barcelona, a new concept of mid-stay accommodation rental for people or families who have a flexible lifestyle and want the comfort and services of a hotel.
There is a growing trend to be able to work remotely, which makes it easier for you to change your residence to get to know cities all over the world , and one of the favourite cities for digital nomads is Barcelona. In this way, Archie Living is presented as one of the best seasonal stays .
The building has 108 residences, from one to three bedrooms, with surface areas ranging from 54m2 to 80m2. In addition, there is the possibility of joining two flats, reaching almost 100m2. With a heated swimming pool on the rooftop, which can be enjoyed all year round, they also offer services such as concierge, cleaning, 24/7 customer service, among others.
The minimum stay must be 32 days, with a minimum fee of 3.000€/month, up to a maximum of 11 months. There are special cases where tenants can stay more than one year in Archie either for study or work purposes.
The reddish brick of l’Arc de Triomf is reflected in the windows of the Archie Living apartments, having one of the best views of the heart of the city.
Innovations in architecture
The architectural studio ABAA has achieved a respectful integration with the emblematic buildings around the Arc de Triomphe, the Central Catalana de Electricidad and the Estación del Norte. The building is right on top of the Arco de Triunfo metro station and this was a conditioning factor for the total weight of the building and a decisive factor for the design and construction.
Between the new structure and the existing station structure, an advanced spring damping system has been implemented to prevent the transmission of vibrations generated by the railway infrastructure. The building has been designed to be 50% l ighter in weight than a normal building, reducing the materials used.
The architectural firm ABAA was inspired by the buildings surrounding Archie to design it. For example, the ceramic finishes on the façade are reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe.
Walking through its six floors you can observe the elegance and warmth of the small details that come together from the façade to the interior. The large windows let in a warm light that illuminates the interior, highlighting the wood and white colours used in the furniture, and the reddish colour of the exterior.
Scandinavian interior design is still the perfect way to convey warmth and simplicity.
The company in charge of designing the interior design with decorative elements has been Culto Interior Design. Keeping a simple line, the chosen accessories have been selected taking into account the architectural view of the building. With a neutral colour range, they combine white, black and brown elements. All of this conveying an informal elegance, for example, the use of solid wood for the wall coat rack and small shelves. As well as the small vases and centrepieces or the mandarin cushions and custom-madeplaids for the beds.
Archie Living rooms have been designed to be welcoming spaces so that every tenant who stays with us during their stay feels at home.
The kitchen and bathrooms of the flats are fully equipped with all kinds of accessories and electrical appliances, including washing machine, tumble dryer, microwave oven, coffee machine, towels, hairdryer and bathroom amenities. In the rooms, each client can choose which bed to equip, whether single or double. In addition, all rooms are suites, i.e. they have their own bathroom and a large desk to work at.
Inside all bedrooms there is a desk for quiet work.
Each of the rooms has its own bathroom, with shower in some and bathtub in others.
The large windows, which give access to the balconies, allow direct sunlight to enter. The brightness provides more amplitude to each room, highlighting small decorative elements such as Sancal’s mandarin cushions.
Archie Living and its connection to sustainability
The building has been designed with an ecological objective in mind, implementing different elements to follow those regulations that benefit the environment. The use of reduced materials in its construction is one of them, as well as dispensing with the use of plastics. One of the elements in particular, the building has solar panels, which keep light and heat inside Archie. In addition, it also controls the temperature of the heated pool on the terrace.
The poolside relaxation area overlooks l’Arc de Triomf, as well as the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. In addition, at night, Barcelona looks more beautiful as it is illuminated. Photo: Francesc Camallonga
The spacious terrace is perfectly complemented by a large 20-metre swimming pool. The spacious rooftop offers 360º views of Barcelona, with the building surrounded by iconic landmarks such as l’Arc de Triomf, the Sagrada Familia, Tibidabo and the Agbar Tower.
The 20-metre swimming pool is surrounded by a chill-out area , and as it is such a large terrace, there is an outdoor activity area and another for meetings or private parties. The first tenants are already enjoying yoga classes, while if they wish to get together with friends or family they can use the meeting area. All while respecting the other neighbours and the furniture used, as it is a communal area.
The area for family meetings or events has great views of the Agbar Tower.
On the ground floor of the building there are three large premises where there are plans to open restaurant businesses, spaces with healthy gastronomy, for tapas and coffee in front of l’Arc de Triomf. Choosing a variety to suit all tastes.
The building is welcoming its first tenants. So far, in these first two months, Spanish occupants are the largest number of applicants, with a good reception from European, South American and American neighbours. We must not forget that Barcelona is a global hub.
Images provided by Archie and ABAA
