And why you can't buy a property there. Or rather why you might not want to buy a property there. Or maybe you would... Last week I went out and made a video about the five most iconic residential buildings in Valencia to live in (You can see the video at the end of this article or if you really prefer watching just scroll down). They might not be the most expensive, they might not be the most visually attractive (But some definitely are) and they might not be in the best locations but they all have something different and offer something unique. Let's start though with what they aren't. Just because it's the tallest it doesn't get in. Just because of the views it doesn't get in. Just because of a famous event, person or maybe even murder in the building it doesn't get in. The five buildings chosen are there for a reason and it's usually an architectural reason that makes it iconic. Let's start.
The Five Buildings
In no particular order of preference or favouritism the five buildings are
- The Finca Roja
- The Jewish House
- The Finca de Hierro
- The Torre Ripalda
- The Espai Vert
Now each one has it's own little history and story and in this article we shall let you know a bit more about them and then you can let us know which is your favourite and where you would choose to live if, by some miracle, an apartment came up in each of them at similar prices.
La Finca Roja
The closest thing you'll find in Valencia to a New York Brownstone building, the Finca Roja wasn't designed to look that way. It was actually based on architectural principles from the Netherlands and the grid system of Barcelona with its chamfered corners. Built between 1930 and 1934 the Finca Roja takes up a whole block and comprises 378 apartments through 14 entrances and eight towers, which were originally for storing water. The internal courtyard was initially open to the public but is now a community garden, a bit neglected to be honest. But the building is wonderful to look at even if it's not too great to live in. Why not? Well the apartments have a lot of corridors and there is a light issue in many of them. In the strong Valencian sunlight the Finca Roja is a striking building especially when you look at it against a background of the deepest blue sky.
The Jewish House
In the ten years prior to the Spanish Civil War Valencian architecture was experimental and inventive. Just like the Finca Roja above, the Casa Judía dates from the 1930s, in this case 1930 itself. Variously known as the Jewish House, the Egyptian House and many other names including "Well, that's different!" this building is an Art Deco beauty hidden just behind the Bullring in central Valencia. Why is it called the Jewish house though? Well just above the main entrance there is a Star of David and over the years, especially during the repression of Franco, Jewish residents in Valencia often gathered there for meet ups and parties (But they kept them quiet).
La Finca de Hierro
La Finca de Hierro describes the material used to buld this 22 floor icon. It also has another name locally, the "Finca dels Collons". "Collons!" being the word that people said when coming out of the main railway station in Valencia and seeing this huge hulking building rising up in front of them. "Collons" of course is Valenciano for "Bollocks" but the closest translation is probably, "F*ck me what's that!". (You have to remember that at the time it dwarfed everything else in the city) Completed in 1962 as the first building in Valencia to really take advantage of an iron framework in order to allow more floors and height, the Finca de Hierro stood as the tallest building in Valencia for many years and today is still the ninth tallest but it is one of the only ones that isn't a tall tower. Just like the Finca Roja this one takes up a whole block even though the block is smaller.
La Torre de Ripalda
Again a building with two names. The Torre de Ripalda has its official name from the fact that it stands where the old, derelict Palacio de Ripalda used to stand. Constructed between 1969 and 1973, once built it quickly earnt the local name "La Pagoda" because it looks a bit Japanese apparently. It's the curved balconies that do it and it's best seen from a particular angle from the nearby bridge crossing the riverbed in the evening sun to say "Oh yeah, now I see it". It's not just a tower though, there are 17 floors to the front and just 11 to the rear. The Pagoda represents Valencia's lost history to many Valencians and the onset of 70s brutality. To others it was a necessary step in the urbanisation of the northern part of the riverbed. Standing right next to the Jardins de Real and opposite the Turia Riverbed Park the Pagoda is well placed to enjoy a lot of what Valencia has to offer... as long as you consider yourself a part of the Bourgeoisie because it was specifically built for that part of society to live in.
El Espai Vert
The Espai Vert or Green Space is either a brutalist concrete monstrosity of vertical townhouses designed not to blend into the surrounding Benimaclet area but to dominate it or something wonderful and different. Five floors on one side and fifteen on the other the Espai Vert is an architectural marvel or a "car park looking thing with plants crawling over it" depending on your point of view. Nothing like it was bult in Valencia before and after seeing this the city elders didn't allow anything similar to be built afterwards. I think that's a shame but sort of understandable because before the plants grew it will have looked a bit sparse.
Most of the apartments in the Espai Vert have various floors and the strange dimensions and construction style mean that most have some outside space too. There is even a huge community garden and swimming pool on the fourth floor and inside, in the real concrete belly of the beast, there is a solitary and sad looking squash court. The way the building is constructed has also allowed a climbing centre to open on the ground floor at the back.
Where Would You Buy If You Could?
This is sort of a moot point because it's rare for anything to come up for sale in these buildings, except maybe for the Finca Roja with its 348 apartments. Properties in these buildings doesn't tend to hang around on sale for long. Any choice you make would normally take into account location, size, facilities and of course the biggie, price. But let's assume there is just one factor that being that you want to live in an iconic building and that is that there is availability. Where would you choose?
Maybe you'd want to walk the route first and see each place. You can do that here. Just over an hour walking or 22 minutes by bike if you don't actually stop to take in the buildings. Give yourself some time to peruse them and have a few drinks in the cafes on the way.
Prices
The last apartment we were offered in the Torre de Ripalda was about five years ago for 990k for 220m2. Prices have risen considerably since then. A property in the Espai Vert has just come on sale for 890k for 244m2 but that is divided over four floors, typical of the Espai Vert as I said in the video. Properties are often for sale in the Finca de Hierro if you want to be really central. The Finca Roja sometimes has places that come up to modernise but at the moment there is one for sale here which is modernised. Ground floor at 670k. Uff! I have only ever seen one property for sale in the Casa Judía that I can remember, we sold it through the Dutch part of our agency (And I was reminded of this after having made the video. Doh!).
Personal Choice
For me the quirkier the better and I don't mind stairs having lived over three floors for many years so can you guess which I'd choose?
The Espai Vert of course, the brutalist car park.
However, I'd probably also like just as much an apartment opposite the Finca Roja with a huge picture window to see that particular building whenever I looked up (There aren't many of those and the one in the video below is not a great choice). For me La Pagoda is the best location. It overlooks the riverbed and it's also right next to the Jardines de Real with easy access to the University area and just a ten minute stroll to the centre. And it's really weird but the Exposición area where it stands is an area we never sell in. It must be a Valencian bourgeoisie thing, or it could just be the prices compared to other areas.
I would never choose the Finca de Hierro. Again personal choice. You couldn't get more central but there's a lot of traffic there and no greenery visible (Even though there is a park just 100m away in the gardens of the old hospital) You do get superb views over the Valencia city rooftops from the higher floors and the corners do have excellent curved terraces to enjoy those views.
My order of preference therefore would be:
- Espai Vert
- La Pagoda
- Finca Roja (Or opposite)
- Casa Judía
- Finca de Hierro
What would you choose? Or is there another iconic building you would choose? Maybe the Ikon tower mentioned in the video below? Maybe the Torre de Francia? Or perhaps you would prefer an old fisherman's house in the Cabanyal?
Property of the Week
Tidy Penthouse With Terrace
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Stylish, modernised exterior penthouses with private terraces are difficult to come by in Valencia and even less so in the extremely popular Extramurs area. However, we have one here and it also comes ready to move in and fully furnished.
This is a 76 m² exterior penthouse in La Petxina, one of the most sought-after and established parts of Valencia. It has been fully renovated to a modern, practical design (Meaning of course that it has an open-plan living room and kitchen area) and as mentioned it is sold furnished, so you can move in without lifting a finger (Not exactly true as you will need to sign the cheque or at least order a bank transfer and you'll also need to turn up at the notary to sign).
The details
Fully furnished and ready to live in.
Private terrace, which is a good spot for a morning coffee or an evening with friends or even your barbecue.
Open-plan living room and kitchen, which makes the main space bright, roomy and sociable.
Two spacious double bedrooms (Spacious for Spain anyway).
One full bathroom with up-to-date finishes.
Air conditioning and ducted heating, so the temperature stays comfortable all year, plus Climalit double glazing that keeps both the heat and the street noise out.
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And yes, it does have a lift as it's fifth floor.
The location
Extramurs is a lively area that works well for everyday life. Shops, supermarkets, services and schools are all close by, and public transport links are excellent.
Worth your while taking a look? We think so.
Stepping Stone Rental of the Week
Ticks All The Boxes
The Stepping Stone Rental that ticks all of the boxes our clients are looking for when they move to Valencia: 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms - 1 of which is ensuite. There is A/C throughout the home and radiators, a lift, an amazing large terrace with open views over the city, natural light in every corner of the home and it's on the cusp of Rusafa - meaning pretty quiet but located in one of Valencia's trendiest neighbourhoods.
Comes furnished of course and ready to move in and make Valencia yours!
The lovely, popular Parc Central you'll find within walking distance as well and the British School of Valencia is around the corner.
Some Essential Reading For You
If you liked this article then we have a lot more for you on the blog. Just click on the titles or images below to find out more.
The Valencia Property Hub Page
What Insurance Do You Need in Spain?
What Everybody Asks For in 2026
Tipping in Spain
If you get good, friendly service and feel well disposed to the waiting staff in Spain you might tip. I know I do. If the bill comes to 65.40 then you leave 70 Euros and “job’s a good’un” as our Lord Robbie Fowler would say. There is no obligation to tip, no waiters following you down the street demanding extra, no resentment, nothing. However… (Read the full article on our substack)
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