La Muralla Roja, Spanish for The Red Wall, is a housing project located within the La Manzanera development in the town of Calpe. The building was designed by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill and makes clear references have references to nearby structures but it is unusual for it to be taken to this extent. La Muralla Roja provides sheltered housing for both residents and tourists, but it also functions as a tourist attraction. It blends in to the Spanish opulence of the nearby landmarks, showcasing the beautiful architecture of the town. It’s a popular place for foreigners because of its similarity to the Alhambra, a former palace of a prestigious to the nearby palaces of the Alhambra, palace of the nearby Muslim caliphs.
It’s not unusual for buildings to make reference to nearby structures, but it is unusual to take it to this extent. La Muralla Roja provides sheltered housing for both residents and tourists, but it also functions as a tourist attraction. It blends into the Spanish opulence of the nearby landmarks, showcasing the beautiful architecture of the town. It’s a popular place for foreigners because of its similarity to the Alhambra, a former palace of a prestigious Muslim caliph.
Calpe, Spain – August 2, 2021: A view of the picturesque La Muralla Roja building, in Calpe, Spain, a colorful apartment building designed by Ricardo Bofill and built in 1972, highlighting from the natural landscape 
La Muralla Roja building in Calpe, Alicante region in Spain 
The building was designed by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill and makes clear references to the popular architecture of the Arab Mediterranean Area, a result of the architects’ inspiration by the Mediterranean tradition of the casbah (the central part of town or citadel). The striking colors that cover the outer and inner facades are selected to either contrast with nature or complement its purity.
The building appears like a kind of colourful fortress emerging from the rocky cliff it sits on and has a series of interlocking stairs, platforms and bridges providing access to the 50 apartments that form La Muralla Roja. The complexity of the project extends into the division of apartments, which is in three sizes: 60 sq m studios, 80 sq m two bedroom apartment, and 120 sq m three bedroom apartments. Bofill’s desire to provide enhanced living is seen through with the roof terraces, solaria, a swimming pool, and a sauna, all reserved for the residents’ use.
