Casa Vidal

Casa Vidal, a striking example of Catalan Modernisme, is nestled at the corner of Carrer Gran de Sant Andreu and Carrer Pons i Gallarza, opposite the bustling Plaça del Comerç in the vibrant Sant Andreu district of Barcelona. This architectural gem, classified as a Local Cultural Heritage Site, stands as a testament to the rich cultural tapestry and historical significance that permeates this charming neighborhood.

The Architectural Beauty of Casa Vidal

Casa Vidal is a marvel of design, boasting a ground floor, four upper stories, attics, and a rooftop terrace. Its façade is adorned with expansive, arch-shaped windows at street level, offering glimpses into the renowned Bar Versalles. This establishment, with its Catalan vaulted ceilings supported by iron beams and columns, utilizes its impressive height to create a mezzanine, enhancing its spacious interior. Although the bar’s furnishings are not original, they evoke the early 20th-century charm, adding to the building’s nostalgic allure.

The main façade is a symphony of style, featuring three doors per floor that open onto wavy, continuous balconies. These balconies, with their intricate wrought iron railings and ceramic trencadís in hues of yellow and green, are a hallmark of Modernisme. The walls are painted a soft green, embellished with white floral sgraffito, and the windows are framed with smooth moldings, topped with decorative friezes. The attic windows align with the vertical axis of the lower openings, crowned by a molded cornice with naturalistic designs, and a wrought iron railing interspersed with undulating pillars.

The Distinctive Corner and Side Facade

The building’s corner is rounded at the base but elegantly chamfered on the upper floors. A rounded balcony graces the first floor, supported by a gracefully diminishing molded bracket. The second floor hosts a smaller balcony, while from the third floor upwards, a semi-column rises, culminating in a pinnacle, adding a vertical flourish to the structure.

The side façade mirrors the main one, yet features a rhythmic combination of windows and balconies. Though smaller, these balconies share the same ornate wrought iron and trencadís decoration. The façade is topped with an overhanging eave supported by brackets, adorned with blue and yellow ceramics. This side also houses the entrance to the residential units, marked by a portal decorated with ceramics and intertwined natural motifs, and a Catalan vaulted ceiling. The staircase, made of wrought iron, is similarly adorned with sgraffito, and the residences boast Catalan vaulted ceilings and hydraulic tile flooring.

A Glimpse into History

Casa Vidal was constructed on land once occupied by small houses owned by Margarida Guardiola. In 1906, her nephew Francesc Guardiola i Jubany commissioned a new building, designed by architect Miquel Pascual. However, it is believed that the actual mastermind behind the design was Francesc Berenguer, known for his work on the Casa Francesc Cama.

The Legacy of Bar Versalles

Bar Versalles, originally known as Petit Versailles, likely opened in 1915, as evidenced by an advertisement in the Sant Andreu de Palomar festival program. In 1939, under Franco’s regime, all commercial establishments were required to adopt Spanish names, thus becoming Versalles. The bar operated until 2024, when it closed its doors, with plans to reopen later in the year as a brasserie.

Casa Vidal stands as a beacon of architectural elegance and historical intrigue, offering a glimpse into the artistic and cultural heritage of Barcelona. Its intricate design and storied past make it a must-visit for anyone exploring the rich tapestry of the city’s architectural landscape.