Thirty-five families and individuals have received the keys to their new homes in the Illa Glòries development, a landmark public housing project set to reshape the landscape of central Barcelona. Mayor Jaume Collboni presided over the handover ceremony on Friday morning, marking another milestone for the city’s largest-ever public housing initiative.
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These new units, located in Block D of the four-building complex, comprise 14 affordable rental flats and 21 homes under a surface-right agreement. This delivery marks the latest step in a project that has faced public scrutiny, including demands from community groups for action on pending flats in the area.
During the event, Mayor Collboni described Illa Glòries as a “very special space in the city,” emphasising its location in an area undergoing constant urban transformation. The development sits beside the redesigned Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes, a major hub connecting three of the city’s most important districts.
A Commitment to Affordable Living
The mayor reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Barcelona a city where everyone can afford to live. “We continue to search for land everywhere to build new housing,” he stated, acknowledging the pressing need for affordable options in the Catalan capital.
A key feature of the new Illa Glòries homes is their affordability. According to a Barcelona City Council statement, monthly rents for the 14 rental units range from €418.77 to €724.92, depending on the flat’s size. This initiative echoes other recent council efforts, such as delivering 44 new affordable homes in El Raval.
The Municipal Institute of Housing and Renovation of Barcelona (IMHAB), the public body executing the city’s housing policies, manages the project. The total Illa Glòries development will eventually feature 238 officially protected homes, providing a significant boost to the city’s public housing stock.
Understanding the ‘Surface Right’ Model
A notable aspect of the Illa Glòries development is its use of the ‘surface right’ (derecho de superficie) ownership model for 21 of the newly delivered homes. This system provides a more accessible path to homeownership while ensuring the property remains part of the public housing stock long-term.
As detailed in El Periódico, residents under this scheme pay an initial 20% deposit on the property’s price, which ranges from €125,352 to €212,232. They then pay monthly instalments, similar to a mortgage, for up to 30 years. The resident owns the home for a 75-year period. After this term expires, the property fully reverts to the city, allowing it to be assigned to another family in need.
The Future of Illa Glòries and City Housing
While Friday’s handover is a significant step, the Illa Glòries project is not yet complete. A further 92 homes are scheduled for delivery later this year: 67 in Block C and the final 25 in Block D. The mayor also noted that the area around the development is still a work in progress, with plans for new local facilities and amenities to be built.
This large-scale project is a central pillar of the council’s broader strategy to tackle the housing crisis. It complements other major urban renewal plans across the city, including the recent approval of the Vallcarca park and public housing plan. By expanding the public housing supply through various models, from traditional rentals to cooperative housing and surface-right agreements, the city aims to create a more resilient and accessible housing market for its residents.
