Barcelona's Eixample district demands future for historic cooperative building

The century-old Unió Cooperatista building has been closed for five years as neighbors warn of asbestos risks.

Generic image of the facade of a closed historic building with visible roof damage.
IA

Generic image of the facade of a closed historic building with visible roof damage.

The former Unió Cooperatista Barcelonesa building in the Eixample district has reached five years of closure, sparking neighborhood demands for the Archdiocese of Barcelona to address its deteriorating state.

The property, owned by the church, is currently mostly vacant except for a small food distribution center. Plans by Hospital Clínic to build a research center were scrapped after the building received level C heritage protection in 2023, which mandates the preservation of its theater and facade.

"It is a neighborhood with very few facilities for organizations; many entities do not have their own space to develop."

Xavier Becerril · Salvem la Unió Cooperatista Platform
Recent windstorms have damaged the asbestos roof, prompting Barcelona City Council to demand urgent safety measures. The Archdiocese stated that a project to replace the roof is currently undergoing verification for final approval.