An example of nonexistence of a Steiner point in a Banach space (Q1957080)

For any \(n\) points \(x_1,\dots,x_n\) in a metric space, the function \(x\mapsto\sum_{k=1}^nd(x,x_k)\) is continuous and bounded below, but may or may not attain its infimum. Here, a single Banach space (in fact, a function space) is exhibited which, for every \(n\geq3\), contains an \(n\)-element subset for which this function does not attain its infimum. Of course, the space is not reflexive.