Barcelona Metropolis

A number of new initiatives aimed at halting the decline of Barcelona’s old theatre boulevard are offering fresh hope. The new Paral·lel is beginning to take shape, not just through its theatres, but also with the arrival of student accommodation and office spaces near the Drassanes end. Meanwhile, around Plaça d’Espanya, world-class dining is taking hold, and this gateway to the avenue is set to become a far more welcoming space in the future.

For years now, Barcelona’s historic theatre boulevard has been trying to restore some of its former splendour. But in truth, it’s unlikely that Paral·lel will ever regain its past status or again win over the hearts of as many locals. Nor will it return to being that lively promenade that, on Sundays, once rivalled even the Rambla at its peak – immortalised for decades in black-and-white photographs.

The political twists and turns of recent years, along with successive city councils of differing political leanings, have made it difficult to chart a clear course forward. Indeed, Paral·lel has been the scene of many disputes and even outright clashes, some quite intense. Yet the avenue’s future no longer looks inevitably bleak. The post-pandemic recovery in this part of the city was far swifter than expected. Today, a number of projects and initiatives are already shaping the future of this unique artery. What follows is a snapshot of the new face of Paral·lel.

The student avenue

Paral·lel’s troubles seem to ease as you head downhill, though the avenue also grows more desolate. Our walk begins at its most dismal stretch. Do you remember the Brisas del Caribe nightclub? Fights were a regular occurrence here, until a daylight robbery attempt at its doors ended in a fatal stabbing. That incident led the City Council to finally shut it down. Today, on this mountain-facing side of the avenue, work is under way on a new student residence with 334 rooms and 538 beds, which the developers say will open next academic year.

Just opposite, on the Raval side, two similar student housing developments are also advancing. Early next year, two new buildings will be constructed – one ten storeys high, the other five – offering 164 places across 5,564.2 m² and 184 places across 6,533.13 m². Together, the three student residences on either side of Paral·lel will provide a total of 886 places. These developments, however, have sparked local controversy. Many residents believe that the arrival of hundreds of university students, willing to pay at least €1,000 a month for a room and an array of services, will bring new energy to the avenue and its surroundings. Others, however, are convinced these buildings will function more like covert hotels, and that such a large influx of transient residents will only exacerbate problems like over-tourism and gentrification.

Still, no one should be under any illusions. The new Arnau won’t have the capacity to host major, Broadway-style productions. That said, the City Council already has El Molino and Paral·lel 62 on the avenue, as well as the Tantarantana nearby in the Raval neighbourhood. To those, we can add the Apolo, the Condal and the Victòria – the avenue’s three private theatres. Sector sources are optimistic, noting that sold-out shows are now far more common than before the pandemic, and that the arrival of El Mago Pop, following his purchase of the Teatre Victòria, gave a major boost to ticket sales.