The CZFB will promote the transformation of new urban spaces together with Barcelona City Council

• The Plenary Session of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) approves the purchase of several properties on the seafront and at the Moda Shopping Centre for €78.7 million, as well as the submission of an offer to acquire El Centre de la Vila Shopping Centre for €18.6 million.

• The aim of this investment is to recover, revitalize and enhance these strategic areas of Barcelona, generate new economic activity, and contribute to the city’s transformation while maintaining public oversight of the activities carried out in these spaces.

• The CZFB has presented its 2027 budget, which forecasts a net profit of €32.4 million, while also outlining the progress of the DFactory Barcelona District, which is expected to become a reality in the spring.

Barcelona, November, 12, 2026.- The Plenary Session of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB), held this morning at DFactory Barcelona, has given the green light to the acquisition of a number of commercial properties located on the city’s seafront, including the Moda Shopping Centre, as well as to the submission of a binding offer to acquire El Centre de la Vila Shopping Centre.

These two transactions represent a further step by the entity, together with Barcelona City Council, in advancing a strategy aimed at recovering, revitalizing and energizing key urban spaces in the city, with the goal of creating new opportunities, boosting economic activity, and contributing to Barcelona’s economic and social development.

The acquisition safeguards the public interest and ensures that the activities carried out in these three spaces in the future will be aligned with the policies implemented by both administrations and, above all, with the needs and interests of the public. In fact, these are spaces of particular strategic importance for the city of Barcelona, especially for the waterfront area and the Vila Olímpica neighborhood, on which both administrations have been working for several months.

Thanks to the approval granted by the Plenary Session held this Thursday, the CZFB will be able to acquire these assets for a total amount of €97.3 million: €78.7 million will be allocated to the acquisition of the seafront premises and the Moda Shopping Centre, while €18.6 million will be used to acquire the Centre de la Vila Shopping Centre. Both transactions have been structured to ensure the continued financial balance and strong economic position of both institutions.

The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, stated that: “The collaboration between Barcelona City Council and the Barcelona Free Zone Consortium is a clear example of how cooperation between public administrations enables us to advance strategic projects for the city. This agreement will allow us to address long-standing demands and aspirations for Barcelona, particularly in relation to the waterfront and the Vila Olímpica neighbourhood, while at the same time ensuring public oversight of future activities carried out in these spaces and guaranteeing that they align with the needs and interests of local residents.”

For his part, the Special State Delegate at the CZFB, Pere Navarro, said: “The acquisition of the premises located along the waterfront and of the Centre de la Vila Shopping Centre, spaces with significant transformation potential, reflects the CZFB’s commitment to further expanding its contribution to the city of Barcelona. The CZFB has always been at the forefront of Barcelona’s major transformations, and these initiatives are further evidence of that commitment. We have the capacity, experience and determination to participate in projects that help recover and revitalize strategic spaces, generate economic activity and create new opportunities for the city.”

With this strategy, the CZFB aims to strengthen and expand its role as a driving force for economic promotion, urban transformation and business activity in Barcelona, leveraging its management capabilities, expertise and resources to support projects that can regenerate strategic areas, attract investment and create new opportunities for the city.

The entity’s 2027 budget forecasts a 1.6% increase in profit

In addition, the Plenary Session of the Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB),  approved the 2027 operating and investment budget, which forecasts operating revenues of €85.7 million, compared with the €82.5 million expected by the end of 2026, and a net profit of €32.4 million, representing a 1.6% increase over the forecast year-end result for the previous financial year.

The outlook for 2027 reflects the strength of the Consorci recurring business activity and the robustness of its economic model, enabling continued progress in the transformation of the Industrial Estate through the DFactory Barcelona District, while also supporting new initiatives that contribute to the economic and social development of Barcelona and its surrounding area.

Investments to Support Barcelona’s Economic and Social Development

The budget includes €110.4 million investments for 2027 to advance the CZFB’s key strategic projects and continue implementing its growth and transformation strategy. A significant portion of this investment effort is focused on the development of the DFactory Barcelona District and the expansion of DFactory Barcelona, which will grow from its current 17,000 m² to nearly 60,000 m², further strengthening its role as a leading ecosystem for digital transformation and industrial innovation. This expansion, together with the urban development of its surrounding area, will significantly increase its capacity to accommodate new companies and advanced industry-related activities.

These initiatives are complemented by the group of public buildings to be located in the Ona area, in the vicinity of Glòries, a project developed in collaboration with Barcelona City Council that envisages the creation of a publicly owned complex comprising affordable housing, administrative spaces and community facilities. The project will comprise 35,000 m² of built area, of which 10,000 m² will be allocated to affordable housing, 20,000 m² to administrative uses and 5,000 m² to community facilities.

At the plenary meeting held this Thursday, the collaboration protocol and the allocation of €3.8 million in the 2027 budget were approved to launch the project’s tendering process.

Partnership to Deliver Affordable and Social Housing

The Special State Delegate at the CZFB also reaffirmed the entity’s commitment to addressing one of Barcelona’s most pressing challenges: the shortage of affordable housing.In this regard, he highlighted the agreement reached with Barcelona City Council to grant a 75-year right of use over CZFB-owned land located in Marina del Prat Vermell and the Casernes de Sant Andreu. This agreement will enable the construction of 1,603 affordable and protected housing units. Through this initiative, the CZFB is mobilizing its land assets to address a priority need for the city while retaining ownership of the land. Barcelona City Council will be responsible for managing the development process and selecting the final beneficiaries of the housing units.

In this regard, Pere Navarro stated: “We are already making progress in turning this commitment into reality. We expect to award the first three plots between January and February 2027, enabling the development of approximately 350 housing units, representing 22% of the total planned. In addition, a further plot earmarked for direct development by the Barcelona Municipal Institute of Housing and Rehabilitation (IMHAB) will provide another 60 homes. This first phase represents approximately one quarter of the total planned development and demonstrates that the agreement is already beginning to translate into concrete actions.”

Expansion of DFactory Barcelona

The Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona (CZFB) also informed its Plenary Session about the progress of the DFactory Barcelona expansion works, one of its flagship projects aimed at consolidating Barcelona’s position as an international benchmark for digital transformation and industrial innovation.The ecosystem is currently operating at full occupancy and is home to 57 companies specialising in advanced technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, virtual and augmented reality, 3D printing, sensor technologies, IoT and cybersecurity, among others. The innovative strength of the ecosystem is also reflected in the 91 international patents generated by companies based at DFactory Barcelona, highlighting the concentration of knowledge, technology and talent that is taking shape within this environment, as well as its contribution to the transformation of the industrial and productive landscape.

In parallel, the expansion works are progressing according to schedule. By the end of November, completion of the Cubo building is expected, including the installation of its large digital screen, as well as the urban development of the main avenue and the agora area. During December, work will continue on completing the façades and roofing of Buildings A and D, together with the development of their surrounding areas, while construction of Building B is scheduled to begin in January 2027.The main milestone will come in February 2027 with the inauguration of the DFactory Barcelona expansion. From March onwards, the Cubo building will host its first official event, while activity will gradually commence in Buildings A and D. The first companies joining this new phase are expected to move in between March and April.

With this expansion, DFactory Barcelona will take a significant leap in scale, growing from its current 17,000 m² to nearly 60,000 m², further strengthening its capacity to attract new companies, technology projects and talent. This new phase forms part of a broader vision: the development of DFactory Barcelona District, which aims to reach 100,000 m² and establish a major innovation district focused on advanced industry and the Industry 4.0 economy.

The Special State Delegate at the CZFB, Pere Navarro, explained that: “Our goal is to transform DFactory Barcelona District into a new urban industry district for Barcelona, capable of bringing together advanced industry, technology, innovation and talent within a single ecosystem. We want to help Barcelona recover high value-added productive activity through an industry that is more digital, sustainable and fully integrated into the city, while remaining compatible with people’s quality of life and enhancing the city’s competitiveness and international profile. We want to create the conditions for new projects to emerge, new business opportunities to flourish and new high-quality jobs to be created.”

Update on the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan

For her part, Blanca Sorigué, General Manager of the CZFB, presented a progress report on the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, highlighting the advances achieved across several of its key strategic areas.“We are driving forward key projects such as the development of the DFactory Barcelona District, the attraction of innovative companies, the enhancement of the industrial estate’s urban environment, and the implementation of ESG initiatives. All of this demonstrates that the CZFB is a driving force for economic, social and technological transformation in Barcelona and its metropolitan area,” she stated.

In this context, Sorigué highlighted the evolution of DFactory Barcelona, which this year has welcomed 5,000 visits from professionals and organisations interested in establishing partnerships, of which 25% correspond to companies seeking a location to establish their digital hub in Barcelona or relocate their operations. “We are talking about a real ecosystem currently housed in a 17,000 m² facility, where 57 companies are already established and have generated 91 patents. These results illustrate the potential scale of its future growth with the addition of four new buildings. This is a first-class economic development initiative,” she noted.

The CZFB’s General Manager also presented the findings of a study on the impact that DFactory Barcelona is generating in areas such as business growth, innovation, employment and sustainability. According to the data analysed, companies within the ecosystem have created 470 jobs, while 76% attribute part of their growth to being part of DFactory Barcelona. Furthermore, since 2023, these companies have reduced their carbon footprint by 37%, and 84% of the energy they consume comes from renewable sources.

In the words of Blanca Sorigué: “These indicators demonstrate that DFactory Barcelona is not only consolidating a business ecosystem linked to digital transformation and industrial innovation, but is also generating a tangible impact in terms of innovation, employment, business growth and sustainability. This impact will multiply with the development of DFactory Barcelona District, creating new opportunities for companies, talent and society as a whole.”

A Commitment to Healthcare Innovation Through 3D Printing

Finally, the CZFB reaffirmed its commitment to fostering the entrepreneurial ecosystem through the Logistics 4.0 Incubator, the first incubator in Spain dedicated to Industry 4.0 within the logistics and supply chain sector. Over its three years of operation, it has already incubated 80 startups, which have generated nearly 531 jobs and an estimated €72 million in business activity. The CZFB also reported on its partnership with Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and Hospital del Mar to develop healthcare innovation projects within the 3D Incubator, further expanding the application of advanced manufacturing technologies to the healthcare sector.

Finally, the CZFB presented the calendar of its flagship trade fairs and professional events dedicated to economic development, led by the SIL Barcelona (International Logistics Innovation Exhibition). This year’s edition will take place from 9 to 11 June and will move to a new venue at Hall 4 of Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via exhibition centre. In addition, the 7th edition of Barcelona Woman Acceleration Week (BWAW) will be held in March 2027, while the 8th edition of Barcelona New Economy Week (BNEW) is scheduled for October 2027.