The Three Chimneys was the most visited venue of the European Nomadic Biennial of contemporary art Manifesta 15

• The festival has made it possible to highlight projects for the transformation of cities, such as the Three Chimneys area in Sant Adriá del Besòs, which has become a symbol of urban revitalisation and sustainability.

• The 15th edition of Manifesta has opened this former industrial site to the public for the first time thanks to the free temporary loan made by the owners of the area, Metrovacesa and Endesa.

• Alfredo Sarrias, Metrovacesa’s Land Manager in Catalonia, states that ‘participation in Manifesta 15 has been a unique opportunity to highlight the transformative potential of this space, not only in terms of historical heritage, but also as a catalyst for a sustainable future’.

• With its participation in this initiative, Metrovacesa reinforces its commitment to integrate citizen participation in the design of urban projects that combine history, innovation and sustainability.

Barcelona, 28 November 2024. The iconic former industrial complex of Las Tres Chimeneas in Sant Adrià del Besòs, an area owned by Metrovacesa together with Endesa through the joint venture Front Marítim del Besòs, has established itself as the most visited venue of the European Nomadic Biennial Manifesta. In its 15th edition, held from 8 September to 24 November, the international contemporary art event, which has attracted a total of more than 290,000 people, has developed a 78-day programme with 16 venues located in 12 municipalities, including Barcelona and its metropolitan area.

Manifesta 15 has focused its attention on citizen action as the driving force of the socio-ecological transition, linking art, culture and society with the challenges of the future of European cities. In this context, the biennial has made it possible to highlight projects for the transformation of cities, such as the one that will surround the Three Chimneys in Sant Adrià del Besòs, which has become a symbol of urban revitalisation and sustainability. Likewise, the turnout of citizens has made it possible to contrast the social interest in the future of this unique urban enclave in the metropolitan area of Barcelona.

Alfredo Sarrias, Metrovacesa’s Land Manager in Catalonia, took part in the closing debate of the ‘Imagining Futures’ cluster. This meeting, focused on the Besòs River and its surroundings, addressed the opportunities for redevelopment of an 80 km² area marked by the silhouette of the Three Chimneys, nicknamed the ‘Workers’ Holy Family’. In Sarrias’ words, ’participating in Manifesta 15 has been a unique opportunity to highlight the transformative potential of this space, not only in terms of historical heritage, but also as a catalyst for a sustainable and inclusive future for the whole community. Furthermore, being able to access this unique enclave has been one of the key elements of the incredible success of this artistic event’.

Metrovacesa, through its Sustainable Urban Development department, promotes collaboration with different stakeholders to involve them in all phases of its projects. In this way, the developer establishes new channels of communication with public entities and citizens, promoting the co-design of the cities of the future.

A cultural legacy towards a sustainable future

Las Tres Chimeneas has positioned itself as an outstanding setting for contemporary culture after consolidating itself as a place where the industrial past and the sustainable future converge. Metrovacesa’s commitment to establishing alliances with entities from different fields and integrating citizen participation in the design of urban projects reinforces its objective of leading initiatives that combine history, innovation and sustainability.

Front Marítim del Besòs (FMB) has ceded the turbine hall to the Generalitat de Catalunya in advance for Manifesta and also Avinguda Eduard Maristal to facilitate the connection between Sant Adrià and Badalona. It has also recently created the Administrative Association of Cooperation of the Three Chimneys Sector with the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona to accompany the administration in the management of the project and thus face the next steps.

In this context, since the beginning of the project, FMB has worked hand in hand with the public administrations and will continue to do so in the future, actively collaborating to carry out sustainable urban development in both the social and environmental spheres in order to transform the Tres Chimeneas de Sant Adrià del Besòs into a European benchmark for urban regeneration.