Final stretch in negotiations over derelict shopping centre
Negotiations between Barcelona City Council and Mercasa, the state-owned company that manages the Centre de la Vila in the Vila Olímpica, are entering their final phase, with an agreement expected imminently. The potential deal would mark a turning point for the long-abandoned shopping centre, which has deteriorated over the years despite being the main commercial hub for the Poblenou district. The council’s fourth deputy mayor for Economy, Jordi Valls, has led the negotiations since 2021, when the city first sought to reacquire the space. Talks have accelerated following the failure of a public auction in June 2026, during which no buyer offered the 18.5 million euros Mercasa had set as a minimum. That figure was already a significant reduction from the 50 million euros initially demanded in 2021.
Councillor confirms imminent solution
During Thursday’s municipal plenary session, David Escudé, councillor for the Sant Martí district, responded to a proposal from Junts per Barcelona by expressing optimism about the ongoing talks.
We are about to find a solution that I believe will be to everyone's liking to repurpose this space,
he said. Several sources confirm to ARA that a public announcement could come within days, though the exact terms of the agreement remain undisclosed.
Centre in severe disrepair, occupancy below 42%
According to documentation submitted by Mercasa during the auction process, the building suffers from significant structural and technical issues, including underground water leaks, cracks due to lack of maintenance, and safety deficiencies in its high-voltage systems. The parking area, in particular, is the subject of an ongoing legal claim by residents, who cite poor hygiene, safety hazards, and water infiltration. Official figures from Mercasa indicate that only 35 out of 83 commercial units are currently occupied, approximately 42%, a number believed to have dropped further since. The closure of the Yelmo Icària cinema complex in summer 2023 dealt a major blow to foot traffic.
Future use still undecided
Options under consideration include the council purchasing the site outright, either to retain or refurbish and resell, or receiving it via transfer from Mercasa. Valls has consistently stressed any acquisition would be at “the lowest possible cost.” In June, he estimated that the total cost of purchase and renovation could reach around 40 million euros. While the council previously considered converting the space into a municipal market, Valls noted in June that early assessments suggest the surrounding population density may not support such a facility. The municipal plenary session on Thursday approved a motion from Junts per Barcelona calling for a comprehensive recovery plan, including cleaning, security improvements, and the acquisition of the centre, with a specific intervention planned for the deteriorated underground parking levels.
Sources: Ara, Ajuntament de Barcelona.
