Does Barcelona’s international image help or hinder long-term real estate investment? Do investors view the city as a stable and transparent real estate market? To debate this topic, Iberian Property hosted an Editorial Breakfast, with the support of Cushman & Wakefield, Barcelona Investment Office and Barcelona City Council, which took place on the 1st of October at the new C&W headquarters on Avenida Diagonal.
Paco Hugas, Partner at Conren Tranway, spoke with the authority of experience: “We’ve invested over €1.5 billion in Barcelona in the past decade, that gives us a long-term perspective on its cycles and challenges.” He acknowledged that administrative slowdowns often ripple through private investment. “When planning processes stall, transformation slows,” he observed, urging greater agility and collaboration to unlock the city’s full potential. Yet his tone remained constructive and forward-looking.
For Paco, the key is to combine confidence with communication. “Cities like Malaga promote themselves brilliantly — even when their product isn’t as strong. Barcelona already has the fundamentals and an institutional base of renowned investors deploying capital; what we need is to channel that energy to attract more.”
He also highlighted the need to link housing and talent. “Right now there are between ten and fifteen universities seeking to establish a base in Barcelona. That’s extraordinary,” he said. “But for that to translate into long-term impact, we need housing — for students, researchers and professionals. Otherwise, we risk losing the advantage.”
Ultimately, Paco sees opportunity rooted in lifestyle and culture: “Spain has something others can’t replicate — a Mediterranean rhythm of life that’s becoming a real competitive advantage. Barcelona already has what global talent seeks: creativity, climate, and community. We just need to keep pace with those who want to come.”
Conren Tramway was founded as a partnership between Tramway Capital, a Spanish real estate investment firm, and CONREN Land AG, a German investment and asset management company specialising in the office segment. Shortly after launching its first office development in Barcelona’s 22@ district, the company expanded into a development and investment programme across the office, residential and mixed-use sectors, operating under a co-investment model supported by its investors.
