Cases Cerdà
A Forgotten Cornerstone of Barcelona’s Eixample
Amid the bustling streets and grand boulevards of Barcelona’s Eixample district, where architectural masterpieces by Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner steal the limelight, there exists a lesser-known but historically significant cluster of buildings: the Cases Cerdà. Located at the intersection of Carrer de Roger de Llúria and Carrer del Consell de Cent, these elegant residential blocks serve as a window into the earliest days of the Eixample expansion—an ambitious urban plan that transformed Barcelona from a congested medieval city into the sprawling modern metropolis we see today.
Despite their relatively modest appearance compared to the whimsical, nature-inspired forms of Gaudí’s creations, the Cases Cerdà are remarkable for their historical significance, architectural refinement, and their direct link to Ildefons Cerdà’s visionary urban plan. As one of the first residential developments constructed within the Eixample grid, they embody the ideals of Cerdà’s expansion plan while also offering a glimpse into the social and economic realities of 19th-century Barcelona.
This essay explores the history, architectural significance, and contemporary legacy of the Cases Cerdà, highlighting their importance not only as architectural relics but as living pieces of Barcelona’s urban fabric.
To understand the Cases Cerdà, it is essential to first understand the man whose ideas shaped modern Barcelona: Ildefons Cerdà. In the mid-19th century, Barcelona was in crisis. Its medieval walls, originally built for protection, had become a stranglehold, causing extreme overcrowding, poor sanitation, and rampant disease. With industrialization accelerating, the city’s population was booming, yet there was no room for expansion within the walled city.
Cerdà, a Catalan engineer and urban planner, saw the solution in expansion. His Pla Cerdà, approved in 1859, proposed a rational, grid-like city layout characterized by wide streets, chamfered corners, and uniform residential blocks with spacious interior courtyards for ventilation and sunlight. His design prioritized hygiene, mobility, and social equality, rejecting the chaotic medieval street patterns in favour of a meticulously planned urban grid.
However, Cerdà’s plan faced considerable resistance. Many landowners, developers, and local authorities opposed it, favouring more lucrative and less regulated alternatives. Nonetheless, the plan was implemented—albeit with significant modifications—and Eixample gradually emerged as Barcelona’s new residential heart. The Cases Cerdà were among the first buildings constructed within this framework, making them a vital link to the initial phase of Eixample’s development.
The Cases Cerdà were built in 1864, just a few years after the implementation of Cerdà’s expansion plan. The project was commissioned by Josep Cerdà i Soler, a landowner who, despite his surname, had no familial connection to Ildefons Cerdà. This coincidence, however, only adds to the intrigue of these buildings and their place in Barcelona’s history.
Originally, four identical buildings occupied each corner of the intersection, creating a harmonious urban ensemble in line with Cerdà’s vision. However, over the decades, one of the buildings was demolished and replaced with a modern apartment block in 1960, disrupting the original symmetry of the site. Today, three of the original structures remain, preserving an important fragment of Barcelona’s 19th-century architectural landscape.
The Cases Cerdà are particularly significant because they represent the first wave of residential development in Eixample—before the flamboyant Modernisme movement took hold. Unlike the later masterpieces of Gaudí, these buildings reflect a more restrained, neoclassical aesthetic, which was typical of early Eixample architecture. At first glance, the Cases Cerdà may appear unassuming compared to Barcelona’s more famous architectural wonders. However, their design encapsulates several key principles of Cerdà’s urban philosophy.
One of the most defining aspects of the Cases Cerdà is their strict adherence to Cerdà’s planning guidelines. The buildings have a relatively shallow depth—approximately ten meters—ensuring adequate light and ventilation. This was a crucial aspect of Cerdà’s vision, as he aimed to create healthier living conditions compared to the dark, poorly ventilated tenements of the medieval city.
The structures are four to five stories tall, aligning with the uniformity that Cerdà envisioned for Eixample. This consistent height maintained a sense of visual harmony along the newly created streets, reinforcing the idea of a balanced and functional city.
While the overall form of the Cases Cerdà is simple, the facades exhibit a degree of ornamentation that elevates their aesthetic appeal. The most striking feature is the use of sgraffito—a decorative plastering technique that involves layering different colours of plaster and then scratching through the top layer to reveal the contrasting hue beneath.
These sgraffito designs, attributed to Italian artist Raffaello Beltramini, feature elegant classical motifs, including human figures, floral patterns, and ornamental borders. This artistic embellishment reflects the taste of the mid-19th-century bourgeoisie, who sought to express refinement and sophistication in their residential buildings.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Cerdà’s urban plan was the introduction of chamfered corners (xamfrans), which are clearly visible in the Cases Cerdà. Unlike the sharp right angles typical of most city intersections, these corners were cut diagonally, creating a more open and spacious street layout.
This innovation had multiple benefits: it improved visibility for pedestrians and vehicles, allowed better air circulation, and provided small public spaces at intersections. Over time, these chamfered corners became defining features of Eixample, contributing to its distinct urban character.
Over the decades, the Cases Cerdà have evolved along with the city. While they were originally designed as residential buildings for Barcelona’s emerging middle class, their function has shifted over time.
One of the buildings has been transformed into the Hotel Catalonia Eixample 1864, a four-star hotel that preserves many original architectural elements while catering to modern tourists. This adaptive reuse reflects Barcelona’s broader transformation into a global travel destination, where historical structures are repurposed to meet contemporary needs.
Despite their survival, the Cases Cerdà have not always received the recognition they deserve. While buildings such as Casa Batlló and La Pedrera attract millions of visitors, the Cases Cerdà remain relatively obscure, even among locals. However, their historical and architectural significance was formally acknowledged in 2015 when the Generalitat de Catalunya declared them a Bé Cultural d’Interès Nacional (Cultural Property of National Interest)—one of the highest forms of heritage protection in Spain.
The Cases Cerdà are more than just old buildings—they are symbols of a pivotal moment in Barcelona’s history. They represent the city’s transition from a medieval past to a modern future, embodying the ambitions and struggles that shaped Eixample.
Furthermore, their survival raises important questions about urban heritage and conservation. In a city where real estate pressures are intense, how can historical buildings be preserved while allowing for modern development? The Cases Cerdà demonstrate that adaptive reuse—such as converting buildings into hotels or commercial spaces—can be a viable strategy for maintaining historical structures while ensuring their economic sustainability.
Additionally, the Cases Cerdà remind us that architectural history is not just about the famous names and iconic landmarks. While Gaudí’s masterpieces are rightly celebrated, Barcelona’s built heritage is also composed of less flamboyant yet equally important structures that tell the story of everyday urban life.
The Cases Cerdà may not be the most famous buildings in Barcelona, but their significance is undeniable. As some of the first residential blocks built within Cerdà’s visionary expansion plan, they served as a crucial link to the city’s transformation in the 19th century. Their elegant yet restrained architecture, combined with their historical importance, makes them worthy of greater recognition and appreciation.
For those who truly want to understand Barcelona’s urban evolution, a visit to the Cases Cerdà is essential. These buildings stand as quiet witnesses to the city’s past, offering a glimpse into the origins of Eixample and the ideas that shaped one of Europe’s most remarkable urban landscapes.
Thanks for highlighting these beauties. I have friends who live in the residential block but unfortunately the entire interior of the building was “modernized” at some point, maybe 60s-70s?
Fantastic piece here, I'd like to see a follow-up on the modernist architecture of the city 😉