The city of Barcelona is set to expand its public housing stock with a new development specifically designed for senior citizens. The Municipal Institute for Housing and Rehabilitation (IMHAB) has officially launched a tender for the construction of 69 apartments on the grounds of the former Sant Andreu military barracks.
The project, located at Carrer Víctor Colomer, 6-12, carries an estimated value of €10.39 million and is expected to be completed within 34 months. This initiative is part of a broader push to address the city’s housing needs, particularly for its older residents, and to revitalise a historically significant part of the Sant Andreu district.
A New Chapter for Former Barracks
The site of the planned development, known locally as the Casernes de Sant Andreu, has undergone a significant transformation. After 69 years of military use, the Spanish Ministry of Defence sold the facilities in 1997. Following a period of abandonment and a major urban improvement plan designed in 2005, the area has become one of the city’s most active zones for public and protected housing construction.
This new residential block will join an already growing community hub. The area surrounding the plot on Carrer Víctor Colomer now includes essential public services such as the Eulàlia Bota primary school, a primary care and emergency centre (CUAP), and a Mossos d’Esquadra police station, creating a well-equipped neighbourhood from the ground up.
Project Specifications and Design
The development will consist of two interconnected buildings, standing at five and ten storeys high respectively. According to the tender documents published by IMHAB, the taller building will house four apartments per floor, while the shorter one will have six. The plans also include a dedicated space for bicycle parking, promoting sustainable transport.
The apartments are specifically tailored to the needs of elderly residents. Most will feature two bedrooms (one double, one single), an open-plan kitchen connected to the living area, and a bathroom. The units in the five-storey building will also benefit from small terraces. Additionally, five single-person apartments will accommodate individuals.
To ensure the project is completed efficiently, the city council is encouraging modern construction techniques. The IMHAB tender will prioritise bids that propose using industrialised and prefabricated off-site construction methods, which can significantly accelerate the building process.
Part of a Wider Urban Renewal
This project is a key component of the Barcelona City Council’s strategy to invest nearly €87 million in public housing within the Sant Andreu district. Half of the 12 developments planned for the area will be located in the former barracks, highlighting its strategic importance.
The site’s proximity to the future La Sagrera high-speed train station, a transport hub set to transform the entire zone, heavily influences this investment. As part of this large-scale urban renewal, the city is tackling its housing shortage head-on. This aligns with broader municipal policies, such as the recently upheld 30% affordable housing mandate for new developments and specific aid programmes, including rental assistance for seniors.
During a public address in February, Mayor Jaume Collboni detailed the city’s commitment to the area. He confirmed the city’s major priority is the transformation of the Sagrera hub, with an investment of €260 million allocated through to 2031, as detailed in a comprehensive plan for a green metropolitan centre. This grand vision, reported by media outlets including Metrópoli Abierta, aims to deliver 11,300 new homes, half of them protected or subsidised, alongside 20 new health, education, and cultural facilities in the Sagrera vicinity.
