After a long hiatus, the town’s cultural installations are evolving as work continues on the remodelling the old Patronat d’Acció Social, to turn it into the long-awaited bookstore with a space for events related to the world of books. In addition, the newly renovated Escorxador (the old ‘slaughterhouse’) has recently been inaugurated.
Sitges Town Council pushed for the work on the Patronat, with financing from the European Next Generation funds. The project will see the entire transformation of the 298-square-metre interior plus 269-square-metre exterior space of the building that dates from 1900.
Total cost of the project is expected to be €860,250. Work will continue uninterrupted throughout the summer, but the Town Hall assures neighbours, shops and restaurants that they will suffer as little disruption as possible, with the builders not using cranes and always taking away debris early in the morning along Primer de Maig street heading down to the promenade. The building work is scheduled to go on until December.
The Patronat is a protected site with the status of ‘cultural asset of local interest’. It is to house a bookshop on the ground floor along with areas upstairs for cultural gatherings, book presentations and the like. There are as yet no clear plans for the patio but it will also accommodate a variety of cultural events.
The structure of the indoor space is clearly defined, however. The bookstore will have shelving and tables that will leave an open, diaphanous space with sightlines straight through from the inner patio to the street. Moreover, the premises will be both as accessible and as energy-efficient as possible, making the place comfortable and welcoming for everyone.
There will be solar panels and plenty of natural light, accessible stairways, elevator and washrooms. At the same time, all these renovations will aim to conserve the unique nature of the original modernista building.
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