Standing across from a local architectural legend
Walking through the vibrant Ensanche district of Bilbao, you quickly learn that almost every street corner has a story to tell. Sitting precisely at Alameda de Recalde 22, right on the corner with Calle Henao 21, stands a striking residential building.
It sits directly across the street from the famous Casas Olaso complex. Rather than trying to steal the show with loud modern shapes, this building was designed to harmonize perfectly with its grand neighbors. It provides a seamless blend of classic charm and local architectural heritage.
Classic regionalist details in the heart of Bilbao
The design follows the traditional Basque regionalist style, often known locally as Neovasco. It features all the classic elements that make traditional northern Spanish architecture so welcoming.
The exterior boasts ochre plaster walls and dark window shutters. Beautiful wooden framed bay windows, known locally as miradores, extend out over the pavement to catch as much sunlight as possible. The crown jewel of the structure is a prominent octagonal corner tower topped with a steep regionalist roof, giving the intersection a touch of grand fairytale drama.
Old world looks with a modern interior layout
While the exterior looks like an untouched piece of early 20th century history, things are very different inside. The interior of the building underwent a total reconstruction in 1990.
Engineers completely modernized the living spaces and structural foundations to meet modern standards. Fortunately, they took great care to preserve the authentic character of the facade. The classic wooden decorative elements were carefully restored, keeping the exterior character alive while allowing modern city life to continue behind the historic walls.
A quiet hero of the Ensanche district
It is very easy to walk past beautiful corner buildings without noticing the clever work involved in keeping them standing. Alameda de Recalde 22 is a brilliant example of urban preservation done right. It respects the history of the surrounding streetscape without forcing residents to live in an actual museum.
