Sant Antoni Market is one of Barcelona’s most emblematic buildings. Inaugurated in 1882 and designed by Antoni Rovira i Trias, it has served for over a century as a central meeting point for neighbourhood life. Its recent rehabilitation has restored the building’s heritage value while adapting it to contemporary needs, preserving its original character and reinforcing its role as an urban and social catalyst.
After nearly a decade of construction, the new market emerges as an open, functional, and contextually integrated space, bringing together three markets — food, flea, and Sunday — alongside new commercial, sports, and community areas. The project preserves the building’s characteristic Greek-cross structure while reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens that blends architectural tradition with modern energy efficiency and accessibility standards.
The intervention has also enabled the enhancement of the archaeological heritage uncovered during construction — including the Roman Via Augusta and remains of the Sant Antoni bastion — integrating these elements into the interior route as part of an authentic open-air museum.
In this rehabilitation process, Breinco contributed with customised Wetcast® architectural concrete solutions, specifically developed for the handrail capping elements. These units not only accommodate the staircase’s incline but also provide a texture and finish that harmoniously integrate with the building’s original architecture.
Additionally, the Superstep® tread has been incorporated — a monolithic, durable element that combines functionality and design within the market’s central staircase. Its smooth surface and warm tone complement the overall geometry, providing visual continuity and resilience in a high-traffic area.
