Project Approved Amid Heritage and Urban Planning Talks

The Catalan government has approved a protocol of intentions to convert the former Bank of Spain building in Tarragona into a Parador de Turismo, a state-run luxury hotel, marking a major step in revitalising the city’s cultural and tourist infrastructure. The Consell Executiu de la Generalitat authorised the agreement on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, paving the way for collaboration between the Generalitat, the Spanish government, the Tarragona City Council, Turespaña and Paradores de Turismo de España. The building, located at number 101 on Rambla Nova at the intersection with Avenida Pau Casals, was constructed in 1928 and is recognised for its architectural and historical value. It has been owned by the city council since 2010 and is classified as a local asset of cultural interest (Bé Cultural d’Interès Local, BCIL).

59-Room Hotel with €20.1m Investment

According to a 26-page technical study signed on 9 April 2026 and obtained by Diari de Tarragona, the Parador will offer 59 rooms, accommodating up to 118 guests. The project includes a full restoration of the historic building and the construction of a new four-storey, 4,000-square-metre building at the rear, between Rambla Nova, Pau Casals and August streets. The total investment is estimated at €20.1 million, to be funded by the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism under Minister Jordi Hereu (PSC), with direct involvement from Catalan President Salvador Illa (PSC) and Tarragona Mayor Rubén Viñuales (PSC). The two buildings will be connected to form a single complex with access from both sides.

No Need to Wait for New Urban Plan

Crucially, the project will not be delayed by the ongoing revision of Tarragona’s new municipal urban plan (Pla d’Ordenació Urbanística Municipal, POUM). According to a report by city secretary general Joan Anton Font, the transfer of the building to Turespaña will proceed via a 'mutación demanial', a change in public domain use, similar to the process used for the Tabacalera library project. This legal pathway means no urban planning changes are required. However, because the building is heritage-listed, approval will depend on a report from the Department of Culture and necessary archaeological surveys. The city council recommends initiating talks with the Department of Culture immediately to assess potential impacts and requirements.

Timeline: Opening Expected by Late 2030

The project timeline outlines key milestones:

  • Formal transfer of the site to Turespaña: between Q1 and Q2 2027
  • Drafting and tendering of basic and executive project designs: during 2027
  • Development of the detailed site study and consultations with heritage authorities: 2027
  • Construction permits and final heritage approval: 2028
  • Opening: expected by late 2030

A monitoring commission will be established, chaired and secretariat-led by the Tarragona City Council, with representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the Generalitat’s Directorate General for Tourism, Paradores and Turespaña. It will meet every six months.

Boost for Tarragona’s Tourism and Economy

The Parador is expected to enhance Tarragona’s high-quality tourism offer, leveraging its UNESCO World Heritage status, granted in 2000 for the archaeological ensemble of Tarraco, and stimulate economic activity and job creation. Mayor Viñuales has confirmed the building will not be used for alternative proposals, such as the ERC-backed plan to house the Casa de la Festa, which will remain under debate at the municipal plenary on 18 September.

Primary sources: cultura.gencat.cat, patrimoni.gencat.cat, govern.cat. Reported by diaridetarragona.com, diarimes.com, diaricatalunya.cat, europapress.es, es.wikipedia.org, Tarragona21, Tarragona Ràdio, Infocamp, bde.es, elliberal.cat.