Azkuna Zentroa
A boldly reimagined 20th-century wine market transformed into a vibrant culture and leisure hub by Philippe Starck, blending Bilbao’s industrial heritage with contemporary design.
At a glance
Azkuna Zentroa (Basque for Azkuna Centre) is a multi-purpose cultural venue housing a cinema multiplex, fitness centre, library, auditorium, showrooms, shops, and restaurant. Originally a wine market (alhóndiga), the 1909 building stood abandoned for decades before its landmark conversion by French designer Philippe Starck in collaboration with Thibaut Mathieu. The centre opened to the public in stages between May and October 2010.
History
Built as a wine market in 1909 by Basque architect Ricardo Bastida, the Alhóndiga Bilbao once bustled with commerce. By the 1970s, however, the building fell into disuse as a new warehouse replaced its function. Decades of uncertainty followed—various proposals surfaced for public housing, a modern art museum, or demolition, but none materialised.
In 1994, the Basque Government chose renovation over erasure, committing to transform the structure into a sports and culture centre. Four years later, in 1999, the building was officially declared “Public Property of Cultural Interest.” Philippe Starck’s renovation preserved the industrial shell while inserting contemporary spaces within, preserving architectural memory.
In March 2015, the venue was renamed Azkuna Zentroa in honour of Iñaki Azkuna, the late mayor of Bilbao.
What you see
Starck’s intervention respects the original brick and iron structure while introducing sleek modern elements. The design balances preservation with innovation—the shell of Bastida’s market remains legible, yet the interior functions as a contemporary cultural complex. Spaces flow between historical materiality and contemporary design language, creating dialogue between eras.
Cultural significance
The venue embodies Bilbao’s broader reinvention as a cultural destination. Rather than demolishing industrial patrimony, the city chose adaptive reuse—a model that has defined urban recovery projects across Europe. Azkuna Zentroa demonstrates how heritage buildings can serve living communities through flexible programming, housing cinema, fitness, learning, and leisure under one roof.
Key facts
- Location: Bilbao, Spain (43.259939°N, 2.936487°W)
- Original building: 1909, designed by Ricardo Bastida
- Renovation: Designed by Philippe Starck & Thibaut Mathieu
- Opening: Staged opening, May–October 2010
- Status: Declared “Public Property of Cultural Interest” (1999)
Practical information & getting there
Azkuna Zentroa is centrally located in Bilbao and accessible by public transport, including metro and bus services. Check the venue’s website for current opening hours, exhibition schedules, and events. The building houses multiple facilities; individual attractions may have separate admission fees or programmes.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una fotoDo you manage this place?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Keep it accurate — and make it work for you. Free for non-profit heritage institutions.