Building work begins on the Port Olímpic Restaurant Deck

The demolition of Moll de Gregal wharf’s old structures signals the start of the new restaurant zone’s development 

Also progressing at a good pace are the construction of the access point that will improve the Port’s connection to the Vila Olímpica, the adaptation of the blue economy spaces and the new urban development that will turn the Dic de Recer breakwater into a promenade - viewpoint

Demolition work began in February marking the start of the construction of the Port Olímpic Restaurant Deck. The work being carried out on the Moll de Gregal wharf involves a steady dismantling of its old restaurant and bar premises, whose activity ended in January this year. Other elements that had given the Port Olímpic its distinctive appearance up to now will also be pulled down, such as the steps and the pergolas above the former area’s restaurant and bar terraces. In addition, building work will start on the new access point that will connect to Nova Icària beach, inviting greater dialogue between activities in the Port and the city’s coastal area. 

The dismantling work will not interfere with activities at the Municipal Sailing Centre, where renovation work is set to start this spring. 

The demolition work will continue until mid-summer, followed immediately by construction work on the new restaurant and catering spaces. They are eleven restaurants and three food shops that will be located along a modern and accessible promenade up to the Mediterranean shores. The wharf will incorporate three vertical blocks where stairs and lifts will be installed, to strengthen accessibility and connections between the Port’s various areas. There will be three squares, each inviting visitors to enter and enjoy views of the sea. 

Contracts have already been awarded for 80% of the eateries making up the future Restaurant Deck's culinary offerings, with work still in progress for the rest. The Restaurant Deck will open to the public in the summer of 2024.  

A new access point for connecting the Port to the city

The rest of the Olympic Port’s transformation work is moving along at a good pace and starting to make this new stage visible to city residents. According to the Third Deputy Mayor and Chair of B:SM, Laia Bonet, “the Port Olímpic is at a key point where we can imagine the impact that this new stage is going to have on the city. We are building a living, dynamic Port Olímpic that is open to the surrounding area and in constant dialogue with the coastline. In a few months’ time we’ll be able to start enjoying a new public space designed for people and an Port Olímpic where sailing, the blue economy and food will be the epicentre of activity”. 

One of the clearest examples of the project’s progress is the opening of the new access point connecting Moll de Mestral wharf to Avinguda Litoral. 

The current state of the work already allows us to see what the new underground road system crossing Passeig Marítim and creating a new entrance for pedestrians will be like. It will also be the only access point for vehicles, once the current ramp along Carrer Marina has been removed. Vehicles will have direct access from this new entrance to the B:SM Litoral Port car park. This will minimise wheeled traffic through the Port Olímpic interior. Work on the new access point is expected to finish at the start of the summer. 

Blue economy hub and a new promenade-viewpoint by the sea

From night-time leisure to economic activity linked to the sea. Spaces are being laid out not so far from the new access point, at Moll de Mestral wharf, which are to house the enterprises and entrepreneurial projects that will form part of the blue economy hub. Work is presently focusing on adapting the interiors of the twenty or so premises envisaged and on constructing a conference hall that will help to revitalise the Port’s activity. 

As for the outside, works has also begun on the installation of the pergola that will bring shade and help with creating rest areas and turning Moll de Mestral wharf into a large space for city residents to enjoy. The work on Moll de Mestral wharf is expected to finish towards the end of this summer and over the next quarter the process to select the enterprises that will form part of this economic activity space will get underway. These enterprises will be specialised in four priority sectors: sailing activities; sailing services; innovation, research and technology and the circular economy. 

Clear progress has also been made in the work on the Dic de Recer breakwater. The work has already provided the space that is to be occupied by 28 premises for business activity and 70 small storage rooms for sailing vessel material, which will be located under the breakwater. In addition, progress is also being made on the new urban development, both on the Port level and on the city level. 

The most notable result of this work will be an extensive 500-metre-long viewpoint that will offer a privileged view of Barcelona’s coastline. It will incorporate, what is more, two sets of steps that connect the promenade with the wharfs located at a lower level and which are also being renovated. The Dic de Recer breakwater will be completely renovated by the first quarter of 2024.  

The Port Olímpic: a transformation looking to 2024

The Port Olímpic is in the middle of a transformation process that Barcelona City Council has commissioned Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (B:SM) with running. The goal is to turn the Port Olímpic into a space committed to the city where the blue economy, sailing and food coexist as key economic- and social-activity hubs. 
A good part of the work has been speeded up with a clear target date: the holding of the America’s Cup in 2024. The space will be the base port for the women’s and youth competitions, to be held in the months of September and October.