Faro Santander, the transformed historic headquarters of Banco Santander, was officially opened today by His Royal Highness King Felipe VI of Spain.
Paseo de Pereda 9–12 has been home to Banco Santander since 1923. With its monumental archway, the building forms a distinctive part of the city's seafront overlooking the Jardines de Pereda and Santander Bay. Now renamed Faro Santander, it houses the Banco Santander art collection and will host changing exhibitions and events, transforming a historic banking headquarters into a public cultural venue for the city.
In his speech, David Chipperfield said: “For generations, this building was known as a bank and largely experienced by the city from the outside. Today it has been reimagined as a place of culture, encounter and public access. By this act of opening up the building and making it more accessible, Banco Santander makes a valuable gesture; a gesture showing responsibility towards Santander and to the citizens who have the fortune to live in this beautiful city.”
The building will open to the public on Tuesday 8 September and will be free to enter for the first ten days. Its first public event will be a conversation between Ana Botín and David Chipperfield on Tuesday 8 September.
Image by Xoán Vázquez González