We live under the dictatorship of the ephemeral. A strange era in which everything is so fleeting that it makes it nearly impossible to keep up with the pace of consumption and public debate: fads last days, weeks at best, and anyone who remains oblivious to the trend of the moment seems to be living in a parallel world.
In a society like this, where novelty trumps all other qualities and the old only generates interest if it can be labeled “vintage” or “retro,” there are clear losers: older people, who have come to play a token role in popular culture.
And, although a definitive solution seems far off, there are initiatives that help restore common ground and improve the lives of these individuals. In this regard, the Barcelona City Council has invested 18 million euros to convert the Espacio Quiró (the former clinic that closed in 2007 and was demolished in 2014) into a residential and community complex for older adults.
The plan proposes the construction of a complex with 83 public housing units for seniors, all with balconies opening to the outdoors, a care facility for dependent individuals, and a community center for residents of the Gràcia neighborhood.
A new, more ambitious project, featuring an auditorium and an urban garden
Although work to renovate this area began in 2022, the project came to a standstill in 2024 following the construction company’s bankruptcy. However, construction has resumed this week with a more ambitious plan, as the previous one did not include the interior of the community center or the creation of a care facility.
The 11,000-square-meter space will combine public housing with an entrance lobby, an auditorium designed for cultural events (movie screenings, concerts, plays…), technical and rehearsal rooms dedicated to artistic creation, a central courtyard, and a neighborhood community center to revive the spirit of community in one of Barcelona’s most gentrified areas. In addition, plans call for the creation of a community urban garden on the fifth floor of the building.
