The former headquarters of the Port of Barcelona, Portal de la Pau, will resume work for its comprehensive rehabilitation soon. The board of directors yesterday awarded the works, budgeted at 15.6 million euros and with an expected execution period of 18 months, to a temporary union of companies (UTE) formed by Dragados, Urcotex and CRC. The first floor of the building will house the Port Center, an interpretation center that will explain to visitors what port life is like and the contribution of this infrastructure to the economy and well-being of citizens. The second will be used for institutional spaces and public events.
The planned intervention in this emblematic building includes the reinforcement of the existing structure, the consolidation and repair of the complex and the necessary facilities to adapt it to current energy, environmental and safety requirements. The works will be done in two phases. Between August 1 and October 31 of next year, coinciding with the celebration of the America's Cup, they will stop to minimize the impact of the work on the celebration of this sporting event.
The teams participating in the largest sailing competition in the world already have their bases in Port Vell and right next to the building that is going to be renovated, in the Moll de la Fusta, will be the village enclosure. For this nautical competition, the facades and other exterior elements must be ready and the tower crane will be removed. After the event, the interior work will continue, which is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2025. There is still no schedule for the opening of the Port Center.
The rehabilitation works of the old port headquarters were stopped in 2018 due to the appearance of problems in the structure. The contracts were terminated and it was not until the end of last year that he restarted the process to be able to finalize them.
The building, built between 1903 and 1907, was a maritime passenger station and housed the Mundial Palace restaurant, before being the headquarters of the Port Works Board, the predecessor of the current port authority. Since it was closed to undertake the reform, the institution currently chaired by Lluís Salvadó has had its central offices in the World Trade Center business complex, on the Barcelona dock.
