The transaction, carried out through the company Edificio Rostower, ends over three decades of abandonment for this commercial complex, which closed its doors in 1993. The property, spanning nearly 4,000 square meters, once housed around a hundred commercial units and was originally owned by dozens of individuals.

The planned comprehensive renovation aims to transform the former galleries into a large rental office space, targeting top-tier companies and financial operators. This acquisition underscores Messi's growing interest in the Barcelona real estate market, where he already holds other assets such as hotels and restaurants.

The Via Wagner Galleries first opened on November 15, 1985, establishing themselves as a high-end shopping center in the city. During their operational years, they hosted numerous leading fashion brands, catering to an affluent clientele.

However, just eight years after its opening, in 1993, the galleries were sealed by the Barcelona City Council due to progressive deterioration. The complexity of managing a property with a hundred different owners was one of the factors hindering its continuity. Furthermore, in June of the same year, an arson attack destroyed the offices, exacerbating the space's decline, which later suffered another fire incident in 2001.