The building, owned by the State through the company Mercasa, has been put up for auction with an initial price of 25.7 million euros. The bidding will take place on June 10 at the Auditorium of the Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre. If unsold, the price could drop in two successive rounds down to 18.5 million.
“"It is a disgrace that this situation has been reached without Mercasa and the City Council agreeing on a reduction or transfer for the building to pass into municipal hands."
Neighborhood concern is heightened by the deterioration of the property, which presents maintenance problems, water leaks, cracks, and technical and safety deficiencies. This situation has coincided with a wave of closures, including the Yelmo Icària cinemas in July 2023, after 27 years of operation.
The president of the neighborhood association, Jordi Giró, estimates that there are currently more than 50 closed premises and only about 35 remain open. According to Giró, the center is a “necessity” for a neighborhood with an average age of 65 years that has few shops.
The interest of the Barcelona City Council in acquiring the site cooled last year. Although the purchase was considered in 2022, the total cost of the operation, which could exceed 80 million euros (between purchase and refurbishment), led the consistory to abandon the acquisition in mid-2025. The City Council has indicated that it will closely monitor the auction process.
