Tarragona Block tenants have secured a crucial three-year reprieve in their battle against tourist apartments in central Barcelona.

Residents at number 84 on Tarragona Street have reached an agreement with property owner Inmobiliaria Gallardo to extend ten rental contracts that were due to expire in 2026.

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This pact ensures a decade of families can continue living in the 120-unit building, located just metres from Sants station and Plaça d’Espanya.

The building became a symbol of the city’s wider housing conflict when the company attempted to convert the entire block into tourist accommodation. According to recent reports on tourist flats, this pressure exacerbates Barcelona’s residential shortage. The situation dates back to late 2022, when remaining residents began organising with the Sindicat d’Habitatge de l’Eixample (SHSC).

Tarragona Block Campaign Marks Historic Precedent

After months of mobilisation, the campaign achieved a historic victory in May 2023. Consequently, they successfully reversed 78 tourist licences, reducing the number of flats for that use to just 33. This was the first case in Barcelona where such a high volume of licences was annulled in a single building. Furthermore, the agreement announced this week was reached without institutional mediation, following renewed negotiations that began in February.

“First we managed to stop 78 licences, and now we have guaranteed three more years of housing for ten families,” said Rebeca, spokesperson for the Sindicat d’Habitatge de l’Eixample. She acknowledged the problem isn’t fully resolved, as the block still contains tourist flats. However, she stated the agreement “provides stability for families and sets a precedent.”

The original push for conversion was enabled by licences granted under the previous city council. This triggered the progressive departure of neighbours and ignited the ongoing conflict. Residents have since denounced the difficulties of coexisting with a constant flow of tourists and the uncertainty over their residential future.

This case highlights the intense pressure tourist accommodation places on Barcelona’s housing market. The city’s broader housing emergency involves thousands of at-risk homes. Therefore, the Tarragona Block struggle represents a microcosm of city-wide tensions between residents, property owners, and institutions amid a severe shortage of affordable rental options.

The story of the Tarragona Block, as reported by El País, has become one of the most visible examples of tourism’s impact on residential life. Ultimately, this tenant victory offers a glimmer of hope for other communities facing similar pressures across the city.

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