The history of Roca cannot be explained without naming Gavà. The city of Baix Llobregat saw the birth of the group's first factory in 1917, from which they began to produce cast iron radiators for domestic heating and, later, the bathroom products that made it grow worldwide. One hundred years later, the group, which already has more than 81 production plants worldwide, and more than 21,000 employees, does not forget its origins in the Catalan city. Roca Group will transform the land around its factory with the construction of a new neighborhood based on sustainable criteria between Gavà and Viladecans.
The urban and economic transformation of this space is a macro-plan that Roca has been pursuing for years, and which now materializes after the Consell Metropolità has initially approved the modification of the Pla General Metropolità de Barcelona. The forecast is that works could begin in 2027, with the idea that this new neighborhood could be a reality by 2030 or 2031.
In total, up to 32 hectares will be transformed, 6 of which belong to Gavà and 26 to Viladecans. Most of these lands already belong to the group but, in recent decades, they have been underutilized due to the transformation of the company's economic activity. For the transformation of this space, the company plans to invest up to 250 million euros, of which 150 million euros would be used to redevelop the surroundings.
The remaining 100 million euros will be invested in the modernization and improvement of the company's two porcelain and faucet factories in the area. The group wants to electrify its industrial activity and decarbonize it, as it already did last year in Austria with the installation of the first electric furnace.
40% of these 32,000 square meters will be allocated to housing construction, with up to 2,700 new apartments ---for sale and rent---, half of which will be subsidized housing. The remaining 60% of these lands will be allocated to economic and mixed activity. In addition to hosting the company's facilities, which plans to relocate its registered office to these lands ---which until the 70s was located in Gavà but is now located on Avenida Diagonal in Barcelona---, the multinational's purpose is for the new lands to serve as a pole of attraction for other construction and industry 4.0 companies.
"We want to stay in Gavà, but in a more intense and active way than before, managing to transform ourselves into an economic engine for the city and its surroundings," defended Roca's CEO, Albert Magrans. On the land, coworking spaces and facilities for start-up companies will also be built, as well as a knowledge center on new technologies for the construction and industry sector.
The project is committed to the creation of the new neighborhood under sustainability criteria with the construction of green areas. Photovoltaic panels will also be installed on the roof of the factories to make them self-sufficient. In addition, up to two kilometers of bike lane and a bridge over the train tracks will be built, connecting the new neighborhood with the C-32 highway. These changes will completely transform the landscape and the city of Gavà and Viladecans, and will manage to tear down the physical wall that currently separates them.