A transformed space
After four years of intense works, the Port Olímpic of Barcelona reopened its doors this Sunday, transforming into an area of 20,000 square meters dedicated to the blue economy, nautical and gastronomy. This renovated space puts an end to the problems generated by nightlife, which had caused numerous complaints among neighbors.
History and legacy
As a legacy of the 1992 Olympic Games and one of the venues for the Copa América, the new Port Olímpic offers various family activities to celebrate its inauguration. The restaurant area, known as the Balcó Gastronòmic, will open its doors at the end of August and September, with eleven new restaurants and three shops that are in the final phase of preparation.
Boost to the maritime economy
Barcelona City Council plans to install around 50 companies linked to nautical, innovation and maritime services in the Port Olímpic, generating approximately 150 jobs. The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, has stressed the importance of this new stage that seeks to reconnect the city with the Mediterranean Sea.
Mestral Pier
The former site of restaurants and nightclubs on the Muelle de Mestral has been transformed into an 8,000 square metre plaza, intended to house companies related to the blue economy. During the inauguration, Collboni highlighted the need to rehabilitate and recover spaces that connect the city with the sea, highlighting nautical activities with facilities such as the Municipal Sailing Centre and the holding of regattas.
Copa América and future events
In approximately one month, the Copa América will begin and the Port Olímpic will be one of the main venues for this prestigious sporting event, reaffirming its relevance in the nautical field.
Farewell to nightlife
One of the main innovations celebrated by the community is the elimination of nightlife at Port Olímpic. Jordi Giró, president of the Olympic Village residents’ association, has highlighted the difficult coexistence of recent years and has positively valued the consensus reached to develop this new project. The port returns to the plans originally planned for 1993, when it opened.
Commitment to sustainability
Sustainability is a fundamental pillar within the new Port Olímpic. The facilities have four photovoltaic pergolas over the restaurant area, forming the largest urban photovoltaic complex in the city with a total area of 3,560 square meters. This infrastructure will generate 825,000 kWh/year, equivalent to the average annual consumption of 360 homes.
Conservation of the environment
In addition, the partial naturalization of the 2,000 concrete blocks that protect the Abrigaño dock has been carried out and 50 underwater biotopes have been submerged to promote marine flora and fauna, evidencing the Port Olímpic’s commitment to sustainability and conservation of the environment. maritime.
A promising future
The ambitious Port Olímpic remodeling project, started in April 2020, was projected to be completed in 2027, but thanks to the acceleration of works linked to the Sailing America Cup, it has been completed in just four years. This new chapter of Port Olímpic offers a renewed space that looks to the future with positive expectations, strengthening the city’s relationship with the sea and offering new economic and leisure opportunities for its inhabitants.