The final phase of a major renovation project at Glòries metro station has been put out to tender for €1.6 million, marking a significant step towards creating a seamless connection between public transport and one of Barcelona’s key cultural hubs. The Catalan government’s Department of Territory announced the tender, which will complete the transformation of the L1 station’s main lobby and forge a direct underground link to the Design Museum of Barcelona (DHUB).
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This pioneering project, set to begin this summer, will make Glòries the first station in the Barcelona Metro network to feature an entrance directly inside a public facility. The move culminates a long-term collaboration between the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Barcelona City Council, aiming not only to modernise the station but also to integrate it more deeply into the fabric of the redeveloped Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes.
A Three-Phase Transformation
The station’s ambitious overhaul features three distinct stages. The City Council has already completed the first phase and is now advancing the second, which includes building a new lobby section. This new space stems from the winning design competition proposal, promoted by DHUB and the influential FAD (Fostering Arts and Design) association. These works should conclude next summer.
Managed by the Generalitat, the newly tendered third phase will integrate all elements. It will remodel the pre-existing lobby, integrating it with the new extension to ensure a cohesive and modern user experience. Official statements highlight primary goals: increasing station capacity, improving passenger flow, and enhancing comfort and accessibility.
What the Final Works Involve
The €1.6 million investment will fund tangible improvements for thousands of daily commuters. Key works include installing a new escalator and two new fixed staircases, connecting the main lobby to the central platform. Existing stairs linking the lobby to the side platforms will also be widened, easing congestion.
Beyond structural changes, the project includes a comprehensive aesthetic and functional upgrade. The entire lobby will receive new paving, wall coverings, updated furniture, modern signage, and an improved lighting system. As detailed in a Metrópoli Abierta report, the objective is to create a harmonious transition between the existing station’s classic design and the new museum entrance’s avant-garde aesthetic.
Linking Culture and Commuting
The direct DHUB connection represents a landmark for the city, physically merging daily transit arteries with its cultural pulse. The project underscores how the Glòries area has evolved from a traffic-clogged roundabout into a modern urban park and centre for innovation and design. Extensive works in the area, including the recent completion of the Glòries road tunnels, have been a long-running story. A recent multi-vehicle accident highlighted the tunnels’ importance to city traffic flow.
Work to facilitate this connection has already begun inside the museum. According to 20 Minutos, preliminary construction began on 12 February to open an entrance from the museum’s ‘Espacio B’, with a tarpaulin currently screening off the area. This initial work is scheduled for completion by late March.
This final step in the station’s metamorphosis solidifies the transformation of Glòries, both above and below ground, promising a more connected, accessible, and culturally enriched experience for residents and visitors alike. The project is part of a wider city strategy to improve public spaces, with the council investing €9m in bridge and park restoration elsewhere in Barcelona.
