In 1827, the new lane was 42 metres wide and quickly became a favourite place for aristocrats to demonstrate their horse riding skills and display their expensive horse-drawn carriages throughout the 19th Century. In 1906, the architect Pere Falqués i Urpí created the famous ornate benches and brazen street-lights which are still the main features of the avenue. By that time Passeig de Gracia was the trendiest street in Barcelona with its splendid buildings designed by such famous artists as Antoni Gaudí, Enric Sagnier, Lluís Domènech i Montaner and Josep Vilaseca. Apart from the city’s most renowned pieces of architecture, the boulevard also boasts numerous expensive haute couture boutiques of such designers as Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint-Laurent, Burberry, Ermenegildo Zegna, Bvlgari, Armani, Chopard, Armani and Max Mara. It is no wonder that Passeig de Gracia is nowadays known as the most expensive street, not only in Barcelona, but in the whole Spain. Despite numerous modifications to adapt the alley to the changing times, Passeig de Gracia hasn't lost its characteristic atmosphere of the past. In every corner you will find typical cafes with outdoor terraces where you can sit and admire the city's most prominent masterpieces of architecture such as the Batllo house and the Mila mansion by Antoni Gaudí.