The City Council of Barcelona has officially approved the project to reopen the modernist Casa Lleó Morera, a significant cultural landmark on Passeig de Gràcia. This decision comes after the building was closed to public access since 2016, following a limited opening between 2014 and 2016. The approval marks a crucial step in restoring one of the three buildings known as the ‘Block of Discord’ that has remained inaccessible to visitors.
Long-awaited approval clears path for renovations
The council had initially granted preliminary approval for the reopening in late 2025. However, final ratification was postponed earlier this year due to concerns regarding compliance with urban planning regulations, mobility issues, and environmental standards. The owner, construction firm Núñez y Navarro, was given three months to address these deficiencies.
With those issues now resolved, the council is moving forward with plans to adapt the historic building for public use. The upper floors will transition from office space to museum functions, allowing visitors to experience its architectural beauty firsthand. Notably, political support for this initiative came from various parties including PSC, Junts, PP, and Vox, while Barcelona en Comú abstained and ERC withheld their vote due to lingering concerns about certain aspects of the project.
Despite this progress, there is currently no set date for when Casa Lleó Morera will reopen or when renovations will commence. Over recent years, debates surrounding accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility while preserving protected heritage have stalled efforts to make the site visitable again.
The city believes these disputes have been resolved. David Martínez, Urban Planning Manager at the council, stated that upcoming renovations would enhance accessibility without compromising the building’s original structure or protected elements. Additionally, plans include maintaining Loewe’s store on the ground floor of number 35 Passeig de Gràcia, which has been operating since 1943.
In related news concerning cultural initiatives in Barcelona, Laia Bonet, Deputy Mayor for Urbanism, addressed inquiries regarding a proposed transportation museum during a recent commission meeting. This initiative aims to establish a museum dedicated to historical public transport vehicles within Fira de Barcelona at Plaça Espanya.
Bonet reiterated challenges associated with integrating such a museum into Montjuïc’s ongoing redevelopment efforts that involve reducing exhibition spaces in favor of residential and other facilities. She emphasized that Fira de Barcelona cannot afford to lose its historic pavilion space needed for this ambitious project.
The city is exploring alternative locations such as Vall d’Hebron where additional public spaces could be developed alongside future healthcare facilities. Bonet assured that they are also seeking another venue for storing TMB’s historical fleet that cannot be displayed due to space constraints while promising rotation of exhibited machinery.
The responses from opposition parties indicate skepticism about Bonet’s assurances regarding timelines and adherence to citizen initiatives like those proposed by Coordinadora Pro Museu del Transport de Barcelona. Concerns were raised by Vox over specifics related to opening dates while Junts criticized perceived shortcomings in respecting community input.
‘It has been more than 60 years since discussions began about establishing a transport museum in Barcelona,’ Bonet noted during her presentation.’
This long-standing aspiration remains unfulfilled despite ongoing dialogues about its potential location at Fira de Barcelona or elsewhere in the city.
The reopening of Casa Lleó Morera represents not just an architectural revival but also signifies an evolving narrative around accessibility and heritage preservation within urban settings like Barcelona. As debates continue over how best to honor both past and present needs within these historic structures, stakeholders remain hopeful that solutions can be found that respect both community desires and regulatory frameworks.
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