The historic El Molino theatre, an emblem of Barcelona’s Paral·lel avenue, will close this summer for essential El Molino soundproofing works. These renovations, estimated at €420,000, respond to noise complaints from residents and structural deficiencies. Consequently, the city council has prioritised this intervention to protect the neighbourhood’s quality of life. For context, the council previously addressed similar urban challenges when Barcelona’s historic Parc de la Ciutadella is transforming into a major hub for science, culture, and innovation.
Barcelona City Council, which acquired the venue in 2021, has launched a tender for the project’s design and management. Therefore, while the venue only reopened recently, the council has determined that structural isolation improvements are necessary. This ensures the theatre can operate without disturbing the surrounding neighbourhood.
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Home » El Molino Soundproofing: €400,000 Works for Barcelona Theatre
Cost and Scope of El Molino Soundproofing Works
According to municipal sources, the estimated value of the improvements is €419,502.59. Meanwhile, the council has tendered the contract for drafting the project and managing the works for €96,060.79 (excluding VAT). The project aims to adapt the facilities at the building on Carrer Vila i Vilà in the Sants-Montjuïc district. Specifically, it must meet both technical regulations and community needs.
The City Council stated that the intervention is designed to “consolidate the building as an emblematic cultural facility.” Moreover, it ensures that musical and stage activities do not negatively impact neighbours. The planned “structural isolation actions” should resolve sound leakage issues that have plagued the venue since its reopening.
Interim Measures and Schedule Changes
The theatre is currently managed by Barcelona Events Musicals (BEM), the company behind the Cruïlla festival. In December, the council formally notified BEM of “deficiencies” in the building’s soundproofing.
To mitigate disturbances until the summer closure, BEM has announced immediate adjustments to the programming. For example, performances will now concentrate on weekends and conclude before 23:00. These measures follow an inspection by Sants-Montjuïc district technicians in February of last year. That inspection was prompted by a neighbour’s noise complaint.
A History of Renovation
El Molino has a long and complex history of refurbishments. Originally established in the late 19th century as La Pajarera Catalana, it was later known as the Petit Moulin Rouge. The venue was a staple of Barcelona’s nightlife until it closed in 1997.
It reopened thirteen years later after a complete renovation by the architecture firm BOPBAA. That project was commissioned by the previous owner, Ocio Puro. Reportedly, it cost at least six million euros and left the ownership heavily indebted. Eventually, this led to the sale of the theatre to the City Council in 2021 for €6.2 million.
Despite the significant investment in the previous decade, the current requirement for further soundproofing highlights ongoing challenges. Specifically, it shows the difficulty of adapting historic performance spaces for modern urban standards.
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