The old headquarters of the port of Barcelona at the Portal de la Pau will soon resume work for its comprehensive rehabilitation. Yesterday, the board of directors 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 host 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 the 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 security requirements. The works will be done in two phases. Between August 1 and October 31 next year, coinciding with the celebration of the America's Cup, they will stop to minimize the impact of the works on the celebration of this sporting event.
The teams participating in the biggest sailing competition in the world already have their bases in Port Vell and right next to the building that will be renovated, on the Moll de la Fusta, there will be the village grounds. For this nautical competition, the facades and other exterior elements must be ready, and the tower crane will be removed. After the event, interior work will continue, which is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2025. There is no timetable for the opening of the Port Center yet.
The rehabilitation works of the old port headquarters had to be stopped in 2018, following the appearance of problems in the structure. The contracts were terminated and it wasn't 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 seat of the Port Works Board, predecessor of the current port authority. Since it was closed to undertake the reform, the institution currently chaired by Lluís Salvadó has its central offices in the World Trade Center business complex, on the Barcelona pier.
