David Bowie performed here, Carlos Sainz raced go-karts: Madrid's iconic La Ermita mall demolished for 529 homes in €77 million makeover

A shopping centre that once echoed with David Bowie's music, welcomed international rock stars and drew motorsport enthusiasts to its go-kart track is now history. Madrid's iconic La Ermita shopping centre, which became a popular entertainment destination after opening in the 1990s, has been demolished after around 18 months of work. Its 44,349-square-metre site in the city's Latina district is set to undergo a €77 million transformation, making way for 529 homes, two residential towers and new public spaces close to Madrid Río.The redevelopment marks a significant change for a property that was once associated with concerts, bowling, water parks and karting. According to Spanish media reports, the former complex in the Los Cármenes neighbourhood hosted the Aqualung concert venue, where artists including David Bowie and Iggy Pop performed. The shopping centre also housed a go-kart circuit associated with Spanish rally driver Carlos Sainz, alongside one of Spain's oldest bowling alleys and what was described as the first indoor water park in Madrid.When La Ermita was a major entertainment destinationLa Ermita was developed during the 1990s, when its combination of shopping, sports a...