Overview
- Barcelona’s government approved a bid offering the former Ramon Llull residence at the Escola Industrial, backed by the Generalitat and the Diputació de Barcelona.
- The modernist building provides over 8,000 m²—exceeding the roughly 4,000 m² required—but will need major refurbishment before full occupancy.
- The proposal foresees a 500 m² area ready in the second half of 2026 for an initial team and a complete rehabilitation within five years financed by Catalan administrations.
- The national process, launched via the BOE after the November 18 Council of Ministers decision, sets criteria such as meeting spaces, an auditorium and strong air and high‑speed rail links to key cities.
- Multiple cities are competing, including Granada, Oviedo, Zaragoza, León, Murcia, Lugo and Salamanca, as the agency plans a phased start with current Madrid‑based units (CCAES and CNE) before expanding to around 300 staff with no decision date yet announced.