A historic square in Barcelona’s upscale Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district is set for a comprehensive transformation this summer, reclaiming its space from cars to create a pedestrian-friendly public haven. Work on Plaça Adrià is scheduled to begin in late July, converting the charming but underused square into a single, unified platform free of traffic.
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The project, which has a budget of over €1.18 million, will eliminate the two lateral roads that currently cut through the plaza between Carrer Muntaner and Carrer Santaló. According to the publicly exhibited plans, the redesign will remove approximately fifteen parking spaces and create an accessible area of over 3,500 square metres exclusively for walkers and local residents. Once complete, vehicle access will be restricted to emergency services and municipal cleaning crews.
A Return to its Pedestrian Roots
Plaça Adrià has a long and somewhat compromised history. First approved in 1876, when Sant Gervasi de Cassoles was still an independent municipality, the square was originally envisioned as a grander space. However, pressure from landowners saw its width reduced from a planned 40 metres to the 24 metres it occupies today, a fate similar to that which befell many of Ildefons Cerdà’s iconic interior courtyards in the Eixample district.
The square’s initial design was conceived by Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí, Barcelona’s influential municipal landscape architect of the early 20th century. A crucial but often overlooked figure, Rubió i Tudurí’s portfolio includes some of the city’s most celebrated green spaces, such as Turó Park, the gardens of the Royal Palace in Pedralbes, and the landscaping around the Sagrada Família. For decades, Plaça Adrià was a social hub for the area’s well-to-do families, surrounded by stately homes. The last of these, Casa Jover, was demolished in 2020 to make way for a modern apartment block, a loss that highlighted the need to preserve the square’s community character.
Details of the Revitalisation
The renovation aims to restore the square’s role as a community gathering point and a tranquil gateway to the nearby Parc de Monterols. The project, which is expected to take around seven months to complete, will preserve several key features while significantly enhancing its green credentials.
As reported by local district publication El Jardí, the central sandy area will be retained, but the restrictive garden beds flanking it will be modified with new transversal paths to improve flow. The existing trees, which are in poor condition, will be removed and replaced with 18 new specimens planted in enlarged pits, alongside new shrubbery to create a greener, more pleasant environment.
Heritage elements will be carefully restored, including the ornamental fountain designed by Rubió i Tudurí and the 2003 monument honouring politician Manuel Carrasco i Formiguera. The popular flower stand, a long-standing feature of the square, will also be modernised and retained.
New Traffic Flows and Local Improvements
The removal of through-traffic will necessitate changes to local driving routes. Drivers descending Carrer Muntaner who wish to cross towards Carrer Santaló will now need to turn right onto Carrer Copèrnic. Those who currently use the square to travel towards the Besòs side of the city will be rerouted one block up to turn right onto Carrer Hercegovina. The City Council has confirmed the plans are feasible as no buildings on the square have private garage entrances that would require access.
In addition to the main works on the square, the project includes widening the pavements at the junctions with Carrer Camp and Carrer Vallmajor and installing improved signage for the pedestrian crossing on Carrer Santaló, enhancing safety and accessibility in the surrounding area.
The transformation of Plaça Adrià reflects a broader municipal strategy to create more liveable, people-focused spaces across Barcelona, reducing noise and pollution while fostering the vibrant neighbourhood life seen in areas like Gràcia. By this time next year, residents will enjoy a revitalised historic square, reborn for the 21st century.
