The comprehensive urban development plan for the area around Sant Adrià de Besòs’ iconic Tres Xemeneies (Three Chimneys) has been unveiled. This plan outlines a major transformation for one of the metropolitan coastline’s last great strategic sites. Centred around the future Catalunya Media City, the project includes over 1,700 new homes, a large urban park, and a crucial extension of the tram network.
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This ambitious regeneration project will reshape 183,000 square metres of post-industrial land, with completion set for 2032. While the core plan to convert the former thermal power station into a world-class audiovisual hub was first announced in 2022, Thursday’s announcement offers the first detailed look at the new neighbourhood growing around it.
A New Chapter for an Industrial Icon
For over a decade, the colossal structure of Les Tres Xemeneies has stood silent. Built in the 1970s and decommissioned in 2011, the former power station dominates the skyline where the Besòs river meets the Mediterranean, a landmark straddling the municipalities of Sant Adrià de Besòs and Badalona. The new plans aim to convert this symbol of a bygone industrial era into a beacon for the region’s digital future.
According to official government approval, the project will preserve the site’s heritage. The Nau de Turbines, which features the three iconic chimneys, will become an immersive museum and cultural space dedicated to reinterpreting the site’s industrial history.
Homes, Parks, and New Connections
The development will create more than 1,700 new homes. Significantly, 40% of this new housing stock will be protected, directly addressing the pressing need for affordable housing in the metropolitan area. The plan promises a sustainable and well-connected neighbourhood, rather than just a commercial hub.
In addition to housing, the project includes a large urban park of approximately 10 hectares, providing valuable green space for new and existing residents. Furthermore, a planned tram line extension will significantly enhance connectivity. Two new stations will extend the service to the Port of Badalona, better integrating the area into the wider Barcelona transport network.
The Heart of the Project: Catalunya Media City
At the core of the regeneration lies the Catalunya Media City, an ambitious hub for the audiovisual and digital content sectors. The Catalan government envisions a next-generation technology park, combining production, research, and training facilities. This hub will not only cater to film and television but also to Catalonia’s burgeoning video game industry.
The facility will feature state-of-the-art TV sets and filming areas, aiming to attract top-tier international companies. A key objective, as reported by Catalan News, aims to boost the use of the Catalan language within the professional film and media environment. This project also contributes to a growing wave of investment in the Sant Adrià area, which will also be home to a massive new 164,000 m² campus for fashion giant Inditex.
The total investment for the project is estimated at around €400 million, funded by the Catalan government, the Spanish executive, and private investors. The initial public investment for the urbanisation stands at €73 million. Additionally, €70.8 million is allocated for the development of the Media City hub itself.
