The Barcelona authorities have acquired a residential building at 21 Alió Street, in the Gràcia district, for €2.1 million. The deal was made possible by exercising the right of first refusal and redemption, allowing the city to intervene in the sale of the property at a judicial auction. This approach was used for the first time and opened new opportunities to expand the city’s stock of affordable housing.
According to municipal officials, the Gràcia district has long faced a shortage of social housing, and opportunities for new construction here are extremely limited. Purchasing this building will increase the number of apartments available to low-income families and help partially address the shortage of affordable housing in one of the city’s most sought-after neighborhoods.
The building had previously experienced repeated illegal occupations, creating difficulties for neighbors and leading to resident complaints. In 2024, city authorities, in cooperation with the district administration, managed to vacate the premises. Now, following the completion of the deal, a comprehensive renovation is planned to bring the building up to modern standards and ensure the safety of future residents.
The municipality already has preliminary technical assessments of the property’s condition, but additional inspection will be needed to determine exact timelines and the scope of work. Once renovations are completed, the apartments will be handed over to the municipal social housing fund and distributed among those in need.
The significance of this transaction is further underscored by the fact that the city exercised its right of first refusal at a judicial auction for the first time, rather than through a standard real estate sale. This move allowed Barcelona to acquire the property at a 20-percent discount from its market value, which city officials consider a major success for the municipal budget and its residents.
Authorities note that such operations could serve as an example for other Spanish cities also facing acute shortages of affordable housing. In the near future, Barcelona plans to continue expanding its municipal housing stock, using new legal tools and opportunities to acquire property.
The purchase of the building in Gràcia is not only a step toward solving the housing problem but also an example of effective use of municipal resources for the benefit of society. Officials emphasize that they will continue to seek ways to increase the number of affordable apartments, especially in areas with high demand and limited supply.
