€8.5 Million Boost for Historic Can Seixanta

Barcelona City Council has approved an €8.5 million investment to accelerate the rehabilitation of Can Seixanta, a historic industrial complex in the El Raval neighbourhood of Ciutat Vella. The funding, approved in October 2026, will support phase 1.2 of the renovation and follows a previous €4.1 million allocation for initial works. The project focuses on preserving the site’s heritage while adapting it for community use. Can Seixanta is municipally owned, having been purchased by the council a decade ago for €6 million, with an additional €3 million initially committed to restoration.

Underground Space and Facade Protection

The new funding will primarily finance the construction of an underground level beneath buildings at numbers 18 and 22 on Carrer de la Riereta. This subterranean space will include archaeological reserve areas showcasing industrial remains, as well as storage and rehearsal rooms. The budget will also cover protective works on the interior facades of the complex, safeguarding its architectural integrity. These measures build on earlier structural safety improvements funded with €2.6 million, which included roof and ceiling repairs and the installation of a fire evacuation exit.

Residential Renovation and Future Phases

Phase one of the rehabilitation involves the full renovation of the residential building at number 20 Carrer de la Riereta. According to the executive project, upper floors will be demolished to regularise the building’s legal volume, with staircases and ceilings in that section removed. The apartments will be comprehensively refurbished and designated for rental use. A second phase will address the remaining warehouses in the complex, adapting them for future municipal purposes. The project is part of the city’s broader strategy to expand affordable housing and rehabilitate public buildings in dense urban areas, as outlined in the 2023–2027 Government Action Plan.

The reinforcement of Can Seixanta reflects our commitment to preserving industrial heritage while delivering social housing and community spaces in the heart of the city.

The initial phase of structural repairs was awarded in July 2023 to EUROCATALANA OBRES I SERVEIS, SL, under a contract valued at €2.0 million including VAT, with a 12-month duration.

Sources: Metrópoli, metropoliabierta.cat.