The other day when I spied the goblin street artist below, I wondered if Cuba Mall could become another La Ramblas in Barcelona? La Ramblas is the most famous street in that culturally vibrant city.
Is Cuba St and its culture part of the reason Wellington’s tourist numbers are growing? La Ramblas draws its visitors in because of the variety of street activities. the partially closed street is an area for people to promenade and view the street artists. Performers are often frozen like Statue’s occasionally moving or performing surprise actions, the audience who are snapping photos incessantly are happy to throw a few euros into the buskers cups. I am not sure how lucrative it is for our buskers but I reckon there is probably room for more street performers during our cities big events.
Street artists attract visitors to La Ramblas
Cuba St statue artist
The other reason people flock to Barcelona is because of its architectural heritage, Gaudi being the main one, Spanish tapas and good Sangrias another. Between the wonderful buildings, the alfresco dinning and spectacle of the artists, La Ramblas has a huge amount on offer.
Cuba St certainly has a number of architectural beauties from different eras and the cuisine chooses are endless from top end to cheap as chips. Having some street food could be an added bonus. The coffee is some of the best in the world and wine options are award-winning.
Cuba Mall is already a place locals and those in the know visit while in town and our tourism office and accommodation providers are hopefully encouraging visitors to wander its length. The St has always got some creative characters worth watching and the numbers of alfresco options are increasing within the mall’s environs.
It’s good to see this street culture is being encouraged with the city councils policy on allowing free busking licences and more recently allowing eateries to spread themselves out into the Mall. Let’s hope that the streets cultural importance as part of the city’s profile is not forgotten in the next decade or more.
La Ramblas architectural heritage is a draw card
Mighty Mighty a cultural drawcard inside and out
IKO IKO on the earth quake prone list
The earthquake prone buildings problem has the ability to destroy this wonderful cultural precinct. Will the mall still have the same feel when a large number of the character buildings have been demolished by their owners because they can’t afford to strengthen them? What will the future look like? I really think we need to be having a conversation about this issue.
currently it is possible to engage with the council on their long term planning. I think you need to get in within the next 2 weeks before they start to vote on it etc.
Here’s a site with discussion forums the council has set up regarding the city’s long-term plan. Wellington.govt.nz/rd/next10yrs
cuba st project 
Love the way you make connections and gently remind us that our architecture is of value and of great potential value in the future if we keep it, then maintain and crow about it.
Keep highlighting the charms of Cuba St.
They look fantastic! Job well done!