MADRID | The latest thoroughfare to emerge from Madrid’s ongoing and, for
those near construction sites, headache inducing “pedestrianization” of downtown
streets has to come as a welcome relief to urban hipsters looking to fill out their
wardrobe with the latest in international sportswear and trendy togs.
Despite having some of the highest commercial rents in all of Spain, Calle Fuencarral
was the opposite of a posh boulevard. Narrow, noisy, and choked with traffic at all
hours of the day and night, it was more like a retail war zone, with shoppers jostling
for space on narrow sidewalks.
But that all ended this summer when several of the street’s most shop dense blocks,
those between the intersections of Calle Hernan Cortes to Gran Via, were reborn as a
tree shaded pedestrian avenue. Since you’re no longer required to fight for
your life on the sidewalks it’s all sidewalk now strolling, or even ambling,
are now accepted forms of transport.
While about half of the stores are international brands like Puma, Diesel, Muji, and
Kiehls, there are many Spanish designers as well, like Custo Barcelona (No. 29; 34,91,
360,4636). Less well known brands include Fun & Basics (No. 43; 34,91,522,0795), which
stocks bags, backpacks and luggage, all with a environmental bent. The label has just
launched a line of products made of fabric that is processed from 100 percent recycled
plastic water bottles (they say 83 bottles makes one bag), and the store’s trolley
bags and purses are also fully recyclable. www.bellbestpuma.com






