A conflict is brewing in Barcelona over the future of homes located opposite the iconic Sagrada Familia. The issue involves not only architectural heritage but also the fate of hundreds of families who could lose their homes due to plans to build a new facade and staircase as envisioned in Antoni Gaudí’s project. This situation is already affecting property values and causing concern among local residents.
Plans and concerns
The construction of the Sagrada Familia is nearing completion, with the next phase being the building of the de la Glòria facade on Mallorca Street. This project could lead to the demolition of several residential buildings, raising serious concerns among homeowners and tenants opposite the basilica. According to El Pais, residents have not received clear answers about how many buildings will be demolished, how the relocation will be organized, or what compensation is being offered.
The construction commission insists on building the staircase, which they say was originally envisioned by Gaudí. However, in 2018, residents presented a 1975 Ministry of Culture document stating the architect did not plan for a staircase or a square in front of the basilica on Mallorca Street. This discovery cast doubt on the necessity of demolishing the buildings, but discussions about the project continue.
Role of the authorities and negotiations
City authorities, led by Mayor Jaume Collboni, state that they will defend the interests of residents under any scenario. Officials promise that if it becomes necessary to affect residential buildings, the number of people relocated will be kept to a minimum and everyone impacted will be offered new apartments nearby. The patronage of the basilica will be responsible for financing the relocation. Negotiations are ongoing between the municipality, the construction committee, and resident representatives, but no concrete decisions have been made yet.
Deputy Mayor and Eixample district adviser Jordi Valls emphasizes that any changes to the urban environment will be coordinated with residents, and the basilica must share responsibility for the consequences of its projects. The authorities promise to publish exact figures on the number of affected families and solutions to the issue by 2027. However, construction work continues and uncertainty remains.
Living in anticipation
The exact number of families who may be at risk of relocation is still unknown. At various times, figures ranging from 100 to 1,000 people have been mentioned. Many residents hesitate to renovate their apartments, fearing their investments may be in vain. Falling property values and rising rents are forcing some tenants to leave the neighborhood.
In 2019, the Sagrada Familia purchased a large plot of land from Aguas de Barcelona just one block from the basilica. This raised hopes that new homes would be built there to relocate residents, but there have been no official confirmations yet. Most of those potentially affected are residents of the Núñez y Navarro building, located directly opposite the Facade of Glory. According to community president Fernando Díaz Lastra, the church trustees are interested in the two blocks bounded by Marina, Sardenya, Mallorca, and Aragó streets.
Social impact
Residents complain about constant noise, a surge in tourists, disappearing shops, and uncertainty about their future. Posters have appeared on entrance doors asking tour guides not to spread false information about building demolitions. People fear not only losing their homes but also damaging the reputation of the basilica itself. The neighborhood residents’ association is closely following the negotiations and hopes for a fair outcome, but prefers not to disclose details to avoid harming the dialogue.
In recent years, Spain has repeatedly seen debates over major construction projects affecting local residents’ interests. For example, in Madrid, plans to redevelop historic neighborhoods have sparked protests and required compromises between urban development and preserving familiar surroundings. Barcelona has previously faced situations where infrastructure changes necessitated relocating residents, with each such case involving lengthy negotiations and significant public reaction.
