Can Jorba renovation plans have finally received municipal approval, paving the way for a €200 million transformation of the iconic Portal de l’Àngel building.

The Barcelona City Council has granted the long-awaited licence to Dutch real estate firm Redevco and JV Ares, who purchased the property in 2022.

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Consequently, work is expected to begin within weeks, aiming for a grand reopening in 2027.

The project, which has been under intense technical scrutiny for fourteen months, will preserve the historic exterior façades on Portal de l’Àngel and Santa Anna streets. However, the interior and rooftop will undergo a radical overhaul. Furthermore, the redevelopment includes installing solar panels and creating large interior terraces with greenery and glass walls to flood the space with natural light.

Ambitious Vision for the Can Jorba Renovation

The 18,000-square-metre building will be repurposed into a mixed-use space. The lower floors, totalling 7,500 m², will house three large commercial units, two of which are already leased to undisclosed brands. Meanwhile, the upper floors will provide 10,500 m² of modern office space. This significant investment comes as local traders have repeatedly lamented the building’s prolonged vacancy, which has created an image of neglect in the heart of Ciutat Vella.

According to a report in La Vanguardia, the approval process was exhaustive due to the building’s unique status. The owners now anticipate a 12 to 18-month construction period. This timeline represents a delay from initial forecasts, attributed to the lengthy licence review.

The news provides a contrast to other recent urban development debates in the city centre. For instance, a separate proposal to revive the Capitol theatre on La Rambla failed to gain political support last week, highlighting the complex negotiations often required for major projects. The successful Can Jorba renovation licence, therefore, marks a positive step for the area’s commercial revival.

This redevelopment is part of a broader wave of change in central Barcelona. A recent analysis of the city’s property market identifies key neighbourhoods poised for growth, underscoring the ongoing transformation of the urban landscape. The completion of the Can Jorba renovation will undoubtedly contribute to this dynamic, bringing a landmark building back to life and stimulating economic activity on one of Barcelona’s premier shopping streets.

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