Barcelona witnesses demolition of modernist buildings and revival of historic hotel

Two centennial modernist buildings at numbers 600 and 602 Consell de Cent in Barcelona are being removed to extend the Glòries Park. The first structure has already been demolished and the second is in a state of ruin. Local residents, including neighbourhood association member Miquel Catasús, tried to protect the sites, but Catasús said the loss is "justified" as a necessary step for the park project.

At the same time, the historic Hotel Espanya (formerly Fonda Espanya) in the Raval district has been restored, preserving its modernist details such as marble sculptures and mosaics. The hotel now houses a restaurant overseen by renowned chef Martín Berasategui and led in the kitchen by Edu Rodas, offering a contemporary take on Catalan cuisine.