From the outside, this architectural eye-candy looks more like a contemporary art museum than a market. With its endless strips of vertical color, the two-tiered angular structure resembles Paris’ La cheminée de Moretti, a kaleidoscope of color among drab warehouses.
Playfully obstructing an immediate understanding of purpose, the crisp air and interior fragrance eliminate any confusion surrounding the building’s program. Spanish architectural firm, Willy Müller Architects (WMA), designed the state-of-the-art flower market in three main sections—one for cut flowers, one for plants and one for accessories.
Though buying a dozen roses isn’t an option (Mercabarna-Flor only sells to wholesale buyers), if you plan ahead you can see the striking building and its colorful contents on a guided tour.