Last tenant of Gaudí's Casa Milà reflects on four decades living in a Unesco site

At 70 years old, Ana Viladomiu stands as the final tenant of Casa Milà, designed by Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, a UNESCO World Heritage site attracting around one million visitors each year. She settled into her apartment in 1988 with her then-spouse, Fernando Amat, who owned the now-defunct Vinçon store, closed in 2015. Viladomiu benefits from a renta antigua contract, which secures her residence until her passing, after which the not-for-profit foundation managing the site since 2013 will assume control. Although such contracts were discontinued in 1985, around 100,000 still exist in Spain. The building, commissioned by Pedro Milà and Rosario Segimon, was completed in 1910 and initially criticized for its rugged look. Over time, it has served various purposes, including a bingo hall and consulates. Viladomiu's apartment preserves original elements like brass light switches, and while she can make changes, she opts not to. Her book, 'The Last Tenant,' which combines auto-fiction with historical accounts, features interviews with former residents. Noteworthy guests have included architect Zaha Hadid and fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. In 2026, the pope will visit Barcelona to bless the newly finished Jesus Christ tower at Sagrada Família, coinciding with the centenary of Gaudí's death.