Once the bustling heart of its neighbourhood, the Centre de la Vila in Vila Olímpica now stands as a monument to decline. The majority of its shops are shuttered, corridors are empty, and the once-popular Icària Yelmo cinema is dark. Now, its state-owned parent company, itself mired in a major international corruption scandal, is putting the dilapidated shopping centre up for auction with a starting price of €25.7 million, sparking outrage from residents and local politicians.
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Opened in the wake of the 1992 Olympic Games, the centre was the primary commercial hub for a new neighbourhood with few other shops. Over the years, however, it has fallen into a state of severe disrepair. Of its more than 80 original establishments, well over 50 have closed. According to a report by Tot Barcelona, the building suffers from significant maintenance issues, including water leaks that have damaged facilities and structural elements.
The Shadow of Scandal
The owner of the centre is Mercados Centrales de Abastecimiento SA (Mercasa), a state-owned enterprise founded in 1966. While the auction is not directly linked to the company’s legal troubles, Mercasa faces a corruption trial and is awaiting a verdict. The case involves an alleged conspiracy of 17 individuals and several associated companies accused of paying illegal commissions to officials in countries like Angola to secure lucrative public contracts, such as the construction of a wholesale market in Luanda.
The instructing judge in the case previously described it as showing an “absolute contempt for the law,” an attitude “even more unacceptable in a Spanish public company like Mercasa.” Though a change in the Penal Code made public companies non-liable, Mercasa as a corporate entity was eventually removed from the indictment. Nevertheless, the scandal casts a long shadow over its operations and asset management.
Political Backlash and Calls for Municipal Control
The planned auction has drawn unified condemnation from Barcelona’s political opposition parties, who demand that the city council intervene. Esquerra Republicana (ERC), Barcelona en Comú, and Junts per Barcelona have all called for the auction’s suspension and for the property to be transferred to municipal hands.
ERC, which has long campaigned for the city to take control, argues that the corruption case is an “aggravating factor” that should prevent the sale. ERC’s mayoral candidate, Elisenda Alamany, recently posted a video on Instagram showcasing the centre’s derelict state, labelling it a “ghost shopping centre” at risk of being sold to the highest-bidding investment fund. Her colleague, councillor Jordi Coronas, has pushed for a “cession” of the building to the city, aiming to revitalise it for residents. This follows previous efforts by the party to halt the auction.
Marc Serra of Barcelona en Comú echoed these sentiments, stating that the “serious accusations of corruption… show that for many years the priority of this state company has had nothing to do with promoting commerce.” He called it “inadmissible” that after years of “appalling management” that led to the centre’s decline, the proposed solution is to “auction off public heritage.”
City Hall’s Stance: A Matter of Cost
Despite the mounting pressure, Mayor Jaume Collboni’s government has so far ruled out a municipal purchase, citing prohibitive costs. Jordi Valls, the deputy mayor for the economy, explained that buying the centre would involve “public resources and the taxes of Barcelona’s citizens.”
Even at the €25.7 million starting price-which could drop to €18.5 million if it fails to attract bidders-the city estimates it would need a further €20 to €25 million for a complete renovation. This total, approaching €50 million, marks a significant drop from an €80 million estimate four years ago. However, the current administration still considers it excessive. As Barna.News previously reported, Barcelona won’t buy the Vila Olímpica mall at auction under the current terms. The council states it will continue to negotiate with Mercasa, but a free transfer of the property is seen as highly unlikely.
A Neighbourhood in Limbo
For the residents of Vila Olímpica, the future of their local commercial centre hangs in the balance. Jordi Giró, president of the local residents’ association, called the auction a “disgrace” and warned that the few remaining businesses continue to close. “I think there are about twenty shops left open,” he said.
Giró has proposed an alternative: Mercasa could retain ownership while the City Council, through its Institute of Markets, takes over management and investment. He also suggests the vast, empty spaces could house municipal services, particularly for the neighbourhood’s ageing population, where the average age is between 65 and 67. With the auction of Barcelona’s ‘ghost mall’ now underway, the community awaits to see if their calls for a public-focused solution are heard.
