I was contacted through my website by a couple in their early fifties from Australia. He has Vietnamese roots and spent part of his childhood in Madrid; she is English. They had fallen in love with Barcelona—especially its architecture—and were looking for a second residence that could later be used for extended stays. Even before the purchase, they asked me to help with their apartment renovation in Barcelona Eixample. They eventually bought the apartment “blind,” with a deposit paid, and asked me to assess both condition and potential, including budget, approach, and the right local team. They were looking not only for coordination and site supervision but also for design—the entire renovation package.

First Impressions of the Eixample Apartment

The property lies in Eixample, within walking distance of the Arc de Triomf. Roughly 180 m²—above average for Eixample. Many homes of this type were subdivided over time; this one was historically large and still complete. It’s a classic modernist Eixample apartment: small mosaic floors, high ceilings, beautiful windows and divided balcony doors, and those characteristic folding wooden shutters. When I first stepped inside, I found an old yet stunning apartment with large, generous rooms and lots of light. The gallery—once partly a balcony—was spacious, and the patio lovely. At the same time, it was clearly lived-in and partly neglected—perfect for a complete apartment renovation in Barcelona Eixample.

Design Process & Floor Plan

Before any demolition, I redrew the apartment to map wall thicknesses, pipes, and proportions. The plan helped align the contractor and the building association’s architect—crucial for a smooth renovation in Eixample.

Technical Challenges in the Renovation

A visible crack in the wall showed how the building had expanded toward the neighboring church. The windows and doors were in poor condition, often overpainted and misaligned. The clients wanted to preserve original features, so I assessed carefully what could be saved—often believing more in preservation than the contractor did.

Structural Work & Building Association Approvals

The main intervention was opening a structural wall to connect kitchen and living. In Spain, this automatically involves the building association. During this apartment renovation in Barcelona Eixample, the association’s architect required an oversized steel structure according to new-building codes. It added cost and months of delay, but with the right team we complied and kept the integrity of the space.

Contractor Selection & Network

For this apartment renovation in Barcelona Eixample, I selected a contractor who is also an architect and speaks fluent English. He managed permits, coordinated with the association, and explained every technical decision to the clients clearly.

New Façade & Lighting Concept

While waiting for structural permits, we replaced the gallery façade. The old aluminum windows were replaced with a custom floor-to-ceiling sliding façade — a hallmark feature of this Barcelona renovation. It floods the living room with light while improving insulation and acoustic comfort.

The lighting plan was designed to highlight the vaulted ceilings and art deco details. Indirect lighting makes the arches glow; a decorative perimeter profile hides LED strips that add evening warmth — essential in many Eixample apartments after renovation.

Floors & Ornamentation

We uncovered beautiful mosaic floors under laminate — a pleasant surprise. In the hallway and kitchen we laid a herringbone floor that transitions smoothly to the mosaics. Ornamentation was restored in two bedrooms and referenced subtly in the living area to maintain proportion and character within this apartment renovation project.

From Design to Execution

The process followed my usual structure: concept, to-do list (clear scope without jargon), and iterative alignment with contractors. The first quotation was high, so we scaled back intelligently without losing quality — typical of an efficient apartment renovation in Barcelona.

During construction, I visited key stages on-site to ensure that drawings matched real measurements — especially in older Eixample apartments where nothing is perfectly square. A small misalignment in a wall later affected air duct routing — a reminder of why precise supervision matters in every Barcelona renovation.

Final Result

This apartment renovation in Barcelona Eixample delivered a balanced blend of historic character and modern comfort. Original mosaic floors, tall windows, restored shutters, and a bright new living space make it timeless. A clear process, patient teamwork, and good local connections ensured a result that feels both authentic and future-proof.

Lighting Plan Details

Planning an apartment renovation in Barcelona Eixample? I can help with inspection, design, permits, and execution — realistic choices, reliable teams, and authentic results.