New Gaudí Museum to Open in Barcelona's Casa Vicens

Barcelona's cultural landscape is set to expand with a new museum dedicated to Antoni Gaudí, opening in Casa Vicens by the end of 2017. Casa Vicens, Gaudí's first private building, was designed at age 31 as a vacation home for businessman Manuel Vicens i Montaner. Located in the Gracia district, then a rural periphery, the house was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. Investment firm Armura Capital acquired the property in 2014 and transformed it from a private residence into a museum celebrating Gaudí's early career. The museum expects 150,000 visitors annually, aiming to recoup investments quickly. Casa Vicens is considered among the first examples of Art Nouveau, blending Orientalist influences popular in the late 19th century. Built between 1883 and 1888, it features colored bricks, tiles, ironwork, and vibrant colors that became Gaudí's signature. The four-level house is surrounded by a garden with plants and sculptures. Renovations were minimally invasive to preserve originality, positioning the museum as a tourist magnet. The project is managed by Mercedes Mora and Joan Abellà, the latter with experience at MACBA Barcelona. Gaudí's works across Barcelona, including Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and Casa Calvet, generate significant economic impact for the region.