Building acquired by pre-emption and right of first refusal at Camp de l'Arpa del Clot
This acquisition is part of the municipal government’s strategy to expand the public housing stock by all available means and ensure the right to decent and affordable housing for residents.
The Barcelona City Council has exercised its right of pre-emption and first refusal to acquire a residential building in Camp de l’Arpa del Clot. The property, located at Calle de Las Navas de Tolosa 339, consists of four residential units, a commercial space, and an attic. It has a total built area of 495 square metres, of which 343 square metres are designated for residences and common areas, and 152 square metres for the shop and attic.
The purchase has enabled the City Council to secure and maintain a property that is part of the city’s public heritage and was in danger of being lost to private ownership. It also guarantees housing for the three families currently living there and will provide a new home for a family waiting for a public social rental.
The right of pre-emption and first refusal gives the City Council priority to purchase properties in private transactions at the price agreed between the parties.
An inspection of the building concluded that there are no structural problems, but recommended a complete refurbishment of the apartments, including changes to the floor plans and common areas. As a result, the total investment rose to €1,188,300, of which €460,000 was for purchase and €728,300 for renovation. This brings the total cost to €2,644.19 per square metre, 34% below the neighbourhood average.
Public housing grows
This is one of five properties owned by the Hospital Clínic that were auctioned in October, and the only one that received an offer from a buyer. This was a necessary step for the City Council to exercise its right of pre-emption and first refusal, as it had committed to do, to ensure that the families living there could remain and that the homes would remain in the city public housing stock.
As for the remaining four properties at auction, the Generalitat has agreed to purchase them in order to maintain public ownership of 51 homes in areas of Barcelona where it is difficult to build new housing. In these areas, the right of pre-emption and first refusal is a valuable tool for expanding the public housing stock.
