The Pritzker laureate turns Banco Santander’s former headquarters into Faro Santander - a multi-layered institution fusing art, technology, and gastronomy on Cantabria’s coast

A Grand Architecture Reimagined

In the port city of Santander, the historic Pereda Building has long stood as an icon of financial gravity. Today, through a subtle and masterful transformation led by David Chipperfield Architects, Banco Santander’s 10-storey, 10,000-square-metre former headquarters has reopened as Faro Santander - a dynamic cultural centre that shifts the urban spotlight from commerce to civic engagement.

Rather than replacing the historic fabric, Chipperfield’s architectural intervention sensitively opens up the building to the city. The restructured interiors feature spacious exhibition galleries, dedicated creative hubs, and flexible spaces designed for educational and community programming. By linking the Pereda Gardens directly into the grand entrance, Faro Santander bridges local identity with international ambition, establishing a compelling new anchor for Northern Spain’s cultural landscape.

Art, Culture, and Technology in Dialogue

At the core of Faro Santander is a dialogue between legacy and modernity. The museum launches with three major inaugural exhibitions. Masterpieces from the Banco Santander Collection, curated by María Dolores Jiménez-Blanco, spans five centuries - from Renaissance masters like Titian and Velázquez to modern figures including Picasso, Miró, and a newly acquired Cubist gem by Santander-born pioneer María Blanchard.

Meanwhile, Modern Mexico in the Gelman Santander Collection brings iconic works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo across the Atlantic. Adding a poignant historical link, The Symptomatic Surreal: Leonora Carrington unveils the newly discovered canvas Villa Pilar, painted during Carrington’s wartime stay in Santander. Beyond historical collections, the museum actively embraces technology and participation through four dedicated internal spaces:

• Cubo: A specialized venue dedicated to experimental media, digital art, and technology.
• Llamita: A creative studio focused on play, education, and family workshops.
• Marisma: A collaborative laboratory for projects tied directly to Cantabria’s regional arts community.
• Diálogos Faro: An ongoing forum for talks, concerts, and multidisciplinary performances.

Elevated Gastronomy and Retail

Reflecting Monocle’s appreciation for thoughtful hospitality, Faro Santander offers hospitality across its top two levels, overseen by chef Nacho del Corral. Los Jardines de Faro offers a panoramic terrace experience looking over Santander’s historic bay, while Lumen delivers refined seasonal dining grounded in local Cantabrian produce. At ground level, a curated design store in the foyer stocks international architectural publications, local craft, homeware, and textiles, completing a holistic destination for design-conscious travellers.

Visitor Information

Address: Paseo de Pereda 9-12, 39004 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
Admission: Standard €14 | Concession €7 | +Faro Membership €30