David Chipperfield is tasked with transforming the Santander bank's iconic Paseo de Pereda, which is the bank headquarters. The aim is to provide the city with modern spaces for culture, technology and entrepreneurship. The estimated time frame for completion of this project will be 36 months.
Proof of the entity's commitment to the environment and fight against climate change is that the project has been designed to be sustainable and energy efficient, receiving the BREEAM certificate for excellence.
The building on Paseo de Pereda dates back to 1795 and was acquired by the bank in different stages. It is currently the institutional headquarters of the financial institution and, after the restoration work, it will be opened to the city, with cultural and open spaces reinforcing the historical and heritage legacy of the bank in Santander and Cantabria, while becoming a new place of interest for tourists, which will contribute to social and economic development and create new jobs. Its characteristic arch will be the key element of the building, strengthening its powerful image, which will host the Santander Museum, a hall and a terrace-viewpoint, among other spaces, as well as Santander Group's private art collection.
Over 1,000 works, including paintings by Rubens, El Greco, Van Dyck, Picasso, Chillida, Sorolla and Miró and theworld'slargest and best private collection ofworks by José Gutiérrez Solana,which are currently exhibited in the art gallery in Santander Group City in Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, will be transported to Santander to be put on display at the headquarters, which will also exhibit sculptures and works of decorative art, collections of tapestries, ceramics, furniture and timepieces and a collection of banknotes and coins. In addition, temporary exhibitions will be held after signing agreements with private collections in the countries in which the bank is present and with prestigious international museums. Technology and art will be the centrepieces of this space. The aim is to develop educational and cultural activities for all groups so that visitors can enjoy the works in different settings.
