Eixample

The Eixample (Catalan pronunciation: [əˈʃampɫə], Catalan for 'extension') is a district of Barcelona between the old city (Ciutat Vella) and what were once surrounding small towns (Sants, Gràcia, Sant Andreu etc.), constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its population was 262,485 at the last census (2005).

There are five administrative neighborhoods:

• L'Antiga Esquerra de l'Eixample (in the past, part of Esquerra de l'Eixample)
• La Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample (in the past, part of Esquerra de l'Eixample)
• Dreta de l'Eixample
• Fort Pienc
• Sagrada Família
• Sant Antoni

Neighbourhoods:
The district is often divided for practical purposes in two: Esquerra de l'Eixample and Dreta de l'Eixample (left and right sides of Eixample, respectively). Traditionally and officially it is divided into five neighbourhoods. These are, in addition to the areas already mentioned, Sant Antoni, Sagrada Família and Fort Pienc, also known as Fort Pius. The latter has recently become notable for the number of Asian, chiefly Chinese residents and the proliferation of Asian shops.

Some parts of Eixample are rather well-to-do neighbourhoods, especially around the central areas such as Passeig de Gràcia, Rambla de Catalunya and the Avinguda Gaudi/Sagrada Familia vicinity, but it also contains many decaying buildings inhabited by lonely aged tenants on the verge of poverty, especially in the fringe areas. It also has a large proportion of immigrant population.

Main Thoroughfares:
Passeig de Gràcia connects the central Plaça Catalunya to the old town of Gràcia, while Avinguda Diagonal cuts across the grid diagonally and Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes runs across the entire city from southwest to northeast. Other wide avenues in the area include Carrer d'Aragó, Carrer de Balmes and Passeig de Sant Joan.

Landmark Hotels in Passeig de Gràcia:

• Hotel Majestic (Barcelona), Catalonia, Spain is a historic, 5-star luxury hotel located on the Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample district. Opened as a hotel since 1918 and owned by the Soldevila family.
• Hotel Condes de Barcelona
• Hotel SixtyTwo