With the opening of the market hall, festivities began on December 19th to mark the partial completion of the Metropol Parasol project
The project by J. Mayer H. becomes the new icon for Sevilla, a place of identification and to articulate Sevilla's role as one of Spains most fascinating cultural destinations. Metropol Parasol explores the potential of the Plaza de la Encarnacion to become the new contemporary urban centre. Its role as a unique urban space within the dense fabric of the medieval inner city of Sevilla allows for a great variety of activities such as memory, leisure and commerce. A highly developed infrastructure helps to activate the square, making it an attractive destination for tourists and locals alike.
The Metropol Parasol scheme with its large structures offers an archeological site, a farmers market, an elevated plaza, multiple bars and restaurants underneath and inside the parasols, as well as a panorama terrace on the very top of the parasols. Realized as an innovative timber-construction with a polyurethan coating, the parasols grow out of the archeological excavation site into a contemporary landmark. The columns become prominent points of access to the museum below as well as to the plaza and panorama deck above, defining a unique relationship between the historical and the contemporary city. Metropol Parasols mixused character initiates a dynamic development for culture and commerce in the heart of Sevilla. Full completion of the project is planned for March/April 2011.
