Barcelona City Council is investing at least €51.8 million to transform La Escocesa, a former industrial complex in Poblenou, into a new social, cultural and economic hub.
The municipality, which owns 93% of the site, plans to convert the 11,528 sqm complex into an integrated ecosystem combining supported housing, social services, creative spaces, social-economy initiatives and food innovation facilities. The project is expected to be fully operational by 2029.
The investment will include €27.2 million in municipal funding, alongside contributions from partners across the cultural, social, business and academic sectors, including Mercabarna, Fundació AMPANS, Associació d’Idees EMA and the Generalitat de Catalunya.
The former factory complex dates back to 1852 and comprises seven industrial buildings. The redevelopment will reorganise the site around three strategic areas. The Klein and Shield buildings will focus on social-economy and innovation activities; the Birkhead, Paul and Steegmann buildings will become a centre for social inclusion and cohesion; while the Johnston and Foseco buildings will continue to support La Escocesa’s role as a creative hub.
The Birkhead, Paul and Steegmann buildings will provide more than 4,500 sqm of space dedicated to inclusion and social cohesion. The wider project will include supported housing for 30 people with disabilities and a further 42 people with specific needs.
La Escocesa will also continue its role as a creative-production centre, with more than 30 resident artists, over 40 public activities each year and regular artistic programmes expected to reach around 250 users.
The scheme is also designed to generate employment and support social and economic innovation. Plans include 22 jobs linked to operational activities and a further 38 positions supporting people using the facilities, alongside a foodtech start-up incubator and R&D projects developed with universities.
Training will form another component, with the project targeting 1,000 professionals through team-building programmes, as well as vocational qualifications and dual training initiatives.
For the surrounding Poblenou and @22 district, the city expects the redeveloped complex to attract around 15,000 visitors annually and deliver 1,702 sqm of new public space. The project is also intended to strengthen Barcelona’s social and solidarity economy ecosystem.
