From left to right: Isabel Sabadí, Director of 22@Network Barcelona; Javier Bernades, President of the Urban Planning and Territory Commission of 22@, International Partner and Director of the Office Sector at Cushman & Wakefield; Susana Prado, President of 22@Network Barcelona; Aina Maragall, Senior Associate at Cuatrecasas; David Martínez, Urban Planning Manager at Barcelona City Council; and Albert Alcober, Chief Operating Officer at Inmobiliaria Colonial.
At the 22@Breakfast organized by 22@Network Barcelona, Javier Bernades, President of the Urban Planning and Territory Commission of the association, International Partner and Director of the Office Sector at Cushman & Wakefield, presented the "Transparency 22@" report, prepared by the real estate consultancy C&W. The analysis offers a detailed view of the trends and key data that defined the office market in the 22@ district in 2024.
The report highlights that the district holds 21% of the total office stock in the city of Barcelona and, at the end of 2024, concentrated 32% of the total office space contracted in the city, reaching 93,000 m², double that of 2023. The development of strategic sectors such as IT, telecommunications, gaming, AI, cybersecurity, and Life Sciences has been key in driving this growth and consolidating 22@ as a leading innovation hub.
Quality continues to be a determining factor in occupancy decisions, with 90% of the contracted space corresponding to category A and B+ buildings, reinforcing the need to maintain a high-level offer. In parallel, the district's development continues to advance, with 90,000 m² currently under construction and the forecast to add nine new projects before the end of 2026.
22@ has demonstrated its resilience, with direct investment of 26.5 million euros in offices and 32 million in land operations in 2024. In the last quarters of the year, the availability rate in the district has decreased from 22.5% to 19.3%, aligning with the general trend in Barcelona, where it went from 10.29% to 9.16%.
Boosting the district's vitality is essential to reinforce its attractiveness and competitiveness, creating an ecosystem where economic activity coexists with urban life. This is one of the great challenges still facing 22@, with a vitality index of 26 out of 100, highlighting the need to move towards a more balanced model where offices, housing, commerce, and public spaces coexist harmoniously.
Looking ahead to 2025, the outlook is optimistic, with an expected increase in investor demand, especially from international capital and family offices, which identify 22@ as a solid long-term growth opportunity.
During the presentation of the report, the President of the Urban Planning and Territory Commission, Javier Bernades, highlighted: "22@ has a great opportunity ahead to consolidate itself as a reference district not only in the business field but also as a complete and attractive urban environment. Moving towards a more balanced model, combining offices with housing, commerce, leisure, and services, will better meet the new expectations of companies and talent. While there are challenges such as the need to improve urban vitality or update part of the office stock, the foundation is already in place: a dynamic, innovative ecosystem with strong international projection. Betting on quality, sustainability, and diversity of uses will be key to continuing to grow successfully."
For her part, the President of 22@Network Barcelona, Susana Prado, emphasized that "urban planning is the backbone of the development of our cities, and in a district like 22@, its role is even more crucial. This space, conceived as a hub of innovation and business growth, is constantly evolving, adapting to the new needs of the market and society. The city model promoted by 22@ not only seeks to attract investment and talent but also aims to create a sustainable, balanced, and functional environment for companies, workers, and residents.”
Following the presentation of the report, a round table was held moderated by Aina Maragall, Senior Associate at Cuatrecasas, with the participation of David Martínez, Urban Planning Manager at Barcelona City Council; Albert Alcober, Chief Operating Officer at Inmobiliaria Colonial; and Javier Bernades, President of the Urban Planning and Territory Commission of 22@Network Barcelona and International Partner at Cushman & Wakefield.
During the round table, David Martínez emphasized that "22@ remains a strategic project for Barcelona and for all the city's stakeholders." Albert Alcober highlighted the importance of services and vibrancy, stressing that the district should leverage its proximity to the center of Barcelona to grow even further. Javier Bernades pointed out the need to advance towards the consolidation of 22@ as a complete neighborhood, noting that "it is necessary to have more restaurants and other services that make 22@ a more attractive place to live and work.”
