New rehabilitation of the Portal de la Pau building
According to the Resolution of December 14, 2023, from the Secretariat of State for Transport, Mobility, and Urban Agenda, which grants aid for actions on architectural, historical, and artistic heritage of special interest linked to the Ministries of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, and Culture and Sports, this project has received public funding through the 2% Cultural Program.
2% Cultural Program
The origin of the 2% Cultural Program comes from the mandate of Law 16/1985 on Spanish Historical Heritage, which establishes the obligation to allocate at least 1% of public works contracts to conservation or enrichment efforts for Spanish Historical Heritage or the promotion of artistic creativity.
To further boost the conservation and enrichment of historical heritage, the ministries responsible for this program have progressively increased the percentage applied to public works they promote, currently set at 2% since October 2021.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, manages the program in accordance with its responsibilities as defined in Royal Decree 208/2024, which establishes the basic organizational structure of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda.
Since 2014, the funds have been distributed through a public grant program, with requirements and application procedures outlined in Order FOM/1932/2014, which regulates the awarding of grants for projects aimed at conserving or enriching Spanish Historical Heritage.
This subsidy is intended for projects focused on the rehabilitation, restoration, and/or enhancement of a property classified as BIC (Asset of Cultural Interest), fostering the preservation of Spanish Historical Heritage.
Project description
This project aims to rehabilitate the Portal de la Pau building, the official headquarters of the Port Authority of Barcelona, in accordance with a new functional program for the building.
The work includes reinforcing the existing structure, consolidating and repairing both the exterior and interior, and installing facilities to meet current energy, environmental, and safety requirements.
In the summer of 2024, the Port of Barcelona completed the first phase of the rehabilitation of the Portal de la Pau building. The historic headquarters of the Port of Barcelona now proudly displays its restored main façade, free of scaffolding. This first phase included structural reinforcement of the building and restoration of the front and side exterior façades.
To minimize potential disruptions to the 2024 America's Cup sailing competition, construction was temporarily paused between August 1 and October 31, 2024. The second and final phase began after the competition concluded, focusing on the interior to restore the building's original structure.
Once construction is complete, the building will reopen to the public and serve as an information center showcasing the port's activities.
