A new housing conflict is unfolding in Barcelona: hundreds of residents gathered at a building on Sant Agustí 14 Street in the Gràcia district to prevent the eviction of tenant Txema Escorsa. The situation has become symbolic for the city, where foreign investment funds are increasingly acquiring residential buildings, converting apartments into coliving spaces, and pushing rental prices up. According to El Pais, these cases are causing concern among locals and authorities, as the issue is not just about one individual but the future of entire neighborhoods.
The authorities of Barcelona and Catalonia have strongly opposed the actions of the property owner—New Amsterdam Developers (NAD), which purchased the building in 2023. Since then, most tenants have faced refusals to renew their leases, while apartments have been offered room by room, sometimes at prices up to 950 euros per room. The city council has officially demanded an end to the eviction, and Generalitat president Salvador Illa expressed full support for residents’ right to stay in their homes. He emphasized that the Catalan government will not allow violations of housing rights and is already using all available legal tools to protect tenants.
Pressure on tenants
Txema Escorsa was the first resident to be given an eviction date. According to him, of the 11 apartments in the building, only five are still occupied by tenants, while the rest have either been converted into coliving spaces or are under renovation. Escorsa continues to pay rent and demands that his contract be renewed, but the company maintains the lease has expired and has taken him to court. Although his appeal is still being considered, the court of first instance did not suspend the eviction process.
The situation sparked a wave of solidarity: not only neighbors but also representatives of tenant rights organizations such as Sindicato de Inquilinas came to the building. They believe such cases are not isolated issues but reflect a systemic crisis in the rental market. According to activists, the transformation of regular apartments into coliving spaces undermines housing availability for local residents and drives up prices.
Authorities and public response
Barcelona City Council insists on halting all legal proceedings against the tenants of this building. Housing commissioner Joan Ramon Riera called the owner’s actions unacceptable and emphasized that the city is open to dialogue but will not allow pressure on residents. The authorities also reminded that this coliving has already been repeatedly fined for violations, and inspections will continue until it fully complies with the law.
Representatives of Sindicat de Llogateres point out that the widespread support for Escorsa sends a message to authorities and businesses: society is not prepared to accept the conversion of residential buildings into commercial properties. They question how many resources the state is willing to spend protecting the interests of foreign funds, given that the city has already declared such schemes illegal.
Parallels and consequences
The case at Sant Agustí 14 is reminiscent of the Casa Orsola story in Eixample, where two years ago mass protests and the subsequent purchase of the building by the city and a foundation managed to stop evictions. Similar situations are becoming increasingly common in major Spanish cities, where investment funds are actively buying up housing, reshaping neighborhoods and displacing long-term tenants.
As El Pais notes, Barcelona authorities continue to fine property owners who violate rental regulations and insist on maintaining residential use for buildings. The question of who should oversee the rental market—the state or private investors—remains unresolved. An analysis by russpain.com suggests that such conflicts may be crucial in shaping future housing policy.
In recent years, Spain has seen a rise in cases where tenants face eviction after a change in ownership. In 2024, a court in Santander found the Costas authority liable for the tragedy on the footbridge, setting a precedent for discussing governmental responsibility for public safety and citizens’ rights. For more on how court decisions affect city life, see the article on high-profile case in Santander. Such stories highlight that issues of housing and urban space are becoming central for Spanish society.
In recent months, Madrid and Valencia have also seen protests against evictions and rising rental prices. Authorities in various cities are seeking a balance between investors’ interests and the protection of residents’ rights, but decisions are often made under public pressure. The future of urban neighborhoods and housing affordability remains one of the most pressing issues in Spain.
