Barcelona Greenlights New Carmen Thyssen Museum for 2028

An agreement between Mayor Jaume Collboni and Junts will transform the former Comèdia cinema into an art hub.

Generic image of the facade of a historic building at the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via in Barcelona.
IA

Generic image of the facade of a historic building at the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via in Barcelona.

The Barcelona City Council has secured a political deal to transform the historic Comèdia cinema into the future Carmen Thyssen Museum, scheduled to open its doors in 2028.

The agreement between Jaume Collboni's government and the Junts per Barcelona party ensures the approval of the Metropolitan General Plan (MPGM) modification. The proposal will be voted on this Tuesday in the Urban Planning commission, backed by a majority of 21 councilors.

"We are facing a unique opportunity to strengthen Barcelona's position as an international cultural capital."

Jordi Martí Galbis · President of Junts at the City Council
The project involves the restoration of the Palau Marcet facades at the corner of Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via. The museum will span 8,860 square meters, focusing on 19th and 20th-century Catalan and international art. Commercial space within the building has been limited to 16% following negotiations.
However, the plan faces opposition from Barcelona en Comú and ERC. Critics argue the project is a speculative move that fails to address tourism congestion in the city center, while supporters emphasize the international prestige the Thyssen collection will bring to Barcelona.