Barcelona's Les Tres Xemeneies to Become Catalunya Media City by 2030

The monumental Les Tres Xemeneies power plant in Sant Adrià de Besòs, near Barcelona, will be transformed into the Catalunya Media City, a hub for digital arts and audiovisual industries. The project, led by Garcés de Seta Bonet Arquitectes with MARVEL and other partners, won a competition in 2024. The design, titled 'E la nave va' as a homage to Federico Fellini's 1983 film, preserves the entire existing structure and adds a transparent technological facade. The complex will feature a 5,600 sqm turbine hall, educational spaces for 2,500 students annually, research facilities, an auditorium, immersive room, and library. The site, inactive since 2011, first opened to the public during Manifesta 15 in 2024. From June 28, 2026, it will host events for the UIA World Congress of Architects, including the opening and closing ceremonies. The project includes environmental measures such as 4,500 sqm of solar panels and artificial dunes for coastal protection. The investment exceeds 70 million euros, with completion expected by 2030.