Montjuïc fairgrounds transformation will create a new neighbourhood for 1,300 residents as part of a major redevelopment marking the centenary of the 1929 International Exposition.

The ambitious project will replace sections of the exhibition space with over 500 new homes, primarily affordable rentals, alongside community facilities and green spaces.

Consequently, the plan represents one of Barcelona’s most significant urban regeneration initiatives in recent years.

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The city aims to begin construction in 2029, with completion targeted for 2033. This timeline coincides with the historic exposition’s 100-year anniversary, creating a symbolic link between past and future.

Montjuïc Fairgrounds Transformation: Demolition and Construction

To make way for the new community, demolition will first target a large pavilion at the corner of Avinguda Paral·lel and Carrer Lleida. Authorities describe this structure as having little architectural or heritage value, being a later addition to the original 1929 site. Its most prominent feature, the columned facade along Paral·lel, will disappear.

Furthermore, the cleared space will accommodate three blocks of residential buildings. These will include 500 affordable rental units and 48 social housing properties. Additionally, the development will feature a new primary healthcare centre and other community equipment, addressing local service needs.

Meanwhile, one existing pavilion on Avinguda Rius i Taulet will be preserved and converted into a local sports centre. Another building, currently called the Italian Pavilion and used as a sports hall, will be demolished to create new green space. The existing Firefighters’ Space (Espai Bombers) and the Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer school will remain operational within the new neighbourhood.

The Montjuïc fairgrounds transformation also involves significant changes to the local street network. A key element is extending the current Guardia Urbana street, which currently ends at Rius i Taulet, all the way to Paral·lel. Moreover, a new road will connect Carrer Lleida with Avinguda Maria Cristina through what is now Plaça de l’Univers.

Subsequently, a future phase could see this route extended further, crossing Avenida Maria Cristina via the Metallurgy Palace to reach Carrer de Mèxic. This would improve connectivity between the Poble-sec and Font de la Guatlla districts. The long-term vision also includes the eventual arrival of the Metro L2 line extension through Montjuïc towards the Marina area and Barcelona Airport.

This transport upgrade aligns with broader regional ambitions, as detailed in the recent Catalonia infrastructure growth plan. Integrating new housing with improved mobility is a central pillar of sustainable urban development.

The new district will be administratively integrated into the existing Poble-sec neighbourhood. The project’s scale and focus on affordable housing come at a critical time, as the city continues to grapple with a pressing housing challenge affecting its diverse population.

Therefore, the Montjuïc fairgrounds transformation is more than a physical renewal. It is a strategic response to Barcelona’s need for integrated, accessible communities. If the schedule holds, the first of the 1,300 new residents could be moving into their homes by 2033, marking a new chapter for this historic part of the city.

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