History and Plans of Casa Pere Llibre in Barcelona

1. Introduction: Passeig de Gràcia and Neo-Mudéjar Architecture in Barcelona

Casa Pere Llibre is located at number 24 Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona. This famous boulevard began as a rural road connecting the medieval city of Barcelona with the town of Vila de Gràcia.

Historical 1855 map of Barcelona with the route of Passeig de Gràcia highlighted in blue — *Passeig de Gràcia highlighted in blue. Year 1855*

Passeig de Gràcia in the Mid-19th Century

As the city grew and modernized, Passeig de Gràcia evolved into a premier shopping destination, hosting some of the city's most exclusive boutiques. The avenue also became a vibrant social hub with restaurants, theaters, and other entertainment venues.

Original Cerdà Plan (1859) for the urban reform and expansion (Eixample) of Barcelona

Passeig de Gràcia in the Early 20th Century

However, during this period banks began to occupy much of the avenue, which reduced pedestrian activity. Over time, the banks relocated to other districts, and the boulevard transformed once again.

Early 20th-century vintage postcard of Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona

Passeig de Gràcia in the Mid-20th Century

Passeig de Gràcia is one of Europe's leading shopping avenues, home to some of the most prestigious flagship stores in the world. It is also a favorite destination for visitors who come to admire its Modernista architecture and other sites of historical and cultural interest.

Mid-20th-century historical photograph of Passeig de Gràcia featuring Casa Pere Llibre

Passeig de Gràcia Today

Tiffany & Co. Jewelry Store (Casa Francisco Vilumara - Domènec Balet)

Tiffany & Co. Jewelry building on Passeig de Gràcia (Casa Francisco Vilumara, designed by Domènec Balet) — In short, Passeig de Gràcia is a prime example of how a street can evolve and transform over time to adapt to the needs of an ever-changing city.

To speak of Casa Pere Llibre is also to speak of Casa Vilumara, its twin sister: Casa Pere Llibre formed part of an ensemble of two identical buildings joined by a monumental central archway leading into Passatge Maria Canals, which divided the two estates and provided access to both buildings as well as the Teatro Español.

The Neo-Mudéjar and Orientalist Architectural Style

Designed in 1871 by Master Builder Domènec Balet Nadal, the project responded to the aspirations of a rising bourgeoisie fascinated by the exotic and eager to impress fellow citizens with palatial residences that showcased their wealth.

2. Casa Pere Llibre (1872), Designed by Domènec Balet i Nadal

Main Neo-Mudéjar facade of Casa Pere Llibre at Passeig de Gràcia 24, Barcelona

Eighteen years after its construction, in 1890, Pere Llibre purchased the house (then numbered 64) and commissioned architect Pere Bassegoda Mateu to add an additional story matching the two existing upper floors. Significant changes were also made to the decoration and openings of the main floor (piano nobile), replacing the stone balustrades with wrought-iron railings. A rear pavilion resembling the main facade and rising to the first floor was also built.

Highlighted in red: Rear pavilion added by Bassegoda

Originally, this stately residence on Passeig de Gràcia followed the customary Barcelona practice of renting out the upper floors as apartments while the owner resided on the main floor (principal).

Aerial view of Casa Pere Llibre with the rear pavilion added in 1890 by Pere Bassegoda Mateu highlighted in red — Over time, residences and offices coexisted across the different floors, and successive interior remodelings led to the loss of all original interior decorative elements.

Historical Uses of Casa Pere Llibre

Established on the first floor of Casa Pere Llibre around 1909, tailor Lorenzo Ferré relocated years later to Carrer d'Avinyó, and in 1925 his son Arturo took over the business.

Enlarged detail

In 1916, Marià Andreu and Jaume Martrús decorated the classical doorway leading into the rear pavilion mentioned above; carved across its lintel is the inscription: "Taller de Joyería Manuel Valentí Gallard casa fundada 1880". Originally, this doorway served as the entrance to the very first jewelry store established on Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona. The business belonged to two Modernista master jewelers from Barcelona, brothers Manuel Valentí i Gallard (1880 – 1969) and Joan Valentí i Gallard (1886 – 1957), who created major pieces commissioned by the Spanish Royal Household. Just five years after opening, in 1921, they moved the business to another building on Passeig de Gràcia, where Joan Valentí was eventually succeeded by his son Jaume Valentí i Operé.

Tailor Shop of Lorenzo Ferré

The Valentí family were renowned goldsmiths originally from Mallorca who had settled in Barcelona in the early 19th century. Today, that historic doorway serves as the entrance to the hotel occupying Casa Pere Llibre.

Historical advertisement of Tailor Lorenzo Ferré on the first floor of Casa Pere Llibre (Passeig de Gràcia 24, ca. 1909)

Enlarged detail of Tailor Lorenzo Ferré's advertisement at Casa Pere Llibre (Passeig de Gràcia 24) — Source: Enciclopèdia Catalana

Joyería Macià: the First Jewelry Store on Passeig de Gràcia

The publishing house occupied not only the ground floor, but also the first and second floors, which housed both its commercial department and editorial offices.

This remodeling destroyed the original main floor (principal) and semi-basements, as can be seen in the following images:

Original plan. The lost main floor (principal) is highlighted in red

Historical trade card of the Manuel Valentí Gallard Jewelry Workshop at Passeig de Gràcia 24 interior

Carved stone inscription above the classical inner doorway: Manuel Valentí Gallard Jewelry Workshop, founded in 1880

Headquarters of Editorial Éxito

Photograph of the building today with the ground-floor retail space

Historical photograph by Francesc Català-Roca (COAC) of the Editorial Éxito ground-floor premises at Casa Pere Llibre

Interior offices and storefront of Editorial Éxito at Casa Pere Llibre (photograph by Francesc Català-Roca, COAC)

Photographer of the Editorial Éxito images (courtesy of COAC): Francesc Català-Roca

Offices of Editorial Éxito inside Casa Pere Llibre in the mid-20th century (Francesc Català-Roca, COAC)

Art Deco relief signed by Enric Cluselles Albertí on the ground floor of Casa Pere Llibre

When the building was converted from apartments and offices into a hotel, the specialist firm GTA Europa was commissioned to restore the facade as well as the wrought-iron work and main entrance gate.

Original architectural plan of Casa Pere Llibre with the demolished main floor and semi-basements marked in red — Existing paint layers were stripped back, and the various original sgraffito patterns were recovered and reproduced, restoring the facade's original splendor and heritage value.

Present-day photograph of the facade of Casa Pere Llibre at Passeig de Gràcia 24 with the ground-floor commercial space — Since 2019, the entire building has been transformed into the magnificent Hotel Praktik Essens

Casa Vilumara on the left and Casa Pere Llibre on the right

Restoration of the Facade and Original Elements

Today: Casa Rocamora on the left and Casa Pere Llibre on the right

The building that replaced it belonged to the Rocamora family (Antoni and Marc Rocamora), who were soap manufacturers, and was designed by the Bassegoda brothers. Crowning the top of the building is a pinnacle featuring a dragon sculpted by Eusebi Arnau, the renowned sculptor who also created the architectural sculptures for the Hospital de Sant Pau and the Palau de la Música Catalana.

Restoration of the Neo-Mudéjar arches and sgraffito on the facade of Casa Pere Llibre by GTA Europa (1) — Original architectural plans signed by Master Builder Domènec Balet Nadal in 1871.

Facade and wrought-iron balcony restoration works at Casa Pere Llibre by GTA Europa (2)

Detail of the chromatic and ornamental recovery of Casa Pere Llibre by GTA Europa (3)

Restored main facade and entrance door of Casa Pere Llibre at Passeig de Gràcia 24 (GTA Europa)

Current Use of the Building: Hotel Praktik Èssens and Perfumery

This was the appearance of the gate leading to the Teatro Español before the two houses were built

Interior and terrace of Hotel Praktik Èssens at Casa Pere Llibre (Passeig de Gràcia 24)

Landscaped garden terrace and Neo-Mudéjar rear gallery of Hotel Praktik Èssens at Casa Pere Llibre

Interior architectural detail of Hotel Praktik Èssens at Casa Pere Llibre

3. Casa Vilumara on Passeig de Gràcia

Source: Contemporary Municipal Archive of Barcelona

Historical photograph of the twin ensemble: Casa Vilumara on the left and Casa Pere Llibre on the right — Between the two buildings runs a narrow passage, at the end of which stood the Teatro Español, as can be read in the historical photograph carved above the entrance archway.

Present-day view of Passeig de Gràcia with Casa Rocamora on the left and Casa Pere Llibre on the right — *Photograph (1870 – 1889)*

The Teatro Español was designed by architect Antoni Rovira i Trias and opened on May 21, 1870. Years later, in the early hours of November 18, 1889, a fire broke out and devastated the theater.

Pinnacle crowned by a dragon sculpted by Eusebi Arnau atop Casa Rocamora, next to Casa Pere Llibre

4. Historical Architectural Plans of Casa Pere Llibre and Casa Vilumara (1870–1871)

In 1892 the theater was rebuilt by architect Ramon M. Riudor, reopening under the name Jardín Español. It hosted concerts, zarzuelas, opera arias, charity raffles, and fairs, but failed to achieve the expected success and finally closed in 1900.

It subsequently housed a leather tannery for footwear manufacturing named Tenería Moderna Franco-Española.

Original 1871 blueprint of the main facade and section of Casa Pere Llibre signed by Domènec Balet Nadal

August 1870 architectural drawing of the iron gate and entrance to Teatro Español between the two houses, signed by Domènec Balet — In 1929 a luxury automobile dealership for the American marque **Graham** opened on the premises.

Original ground-floor plan of Casa Pere Llibre and Casa Vilumara signed by Domènec Balet Nadal

First-floor architectural plan (Houses of Don José Ruiz and Don Jaime Mallol, designed by Domènec Balet)

Original side facade elevation along the passage of Casa Pere Llibre signed by Domènec Balet Nadal

Site plan on Passeig de Gràcia signed by master builder Domingo Balet on August 4, 1888

Since 2013 it has been home to the El Nacional Restaurant.

5. Teatro Español on Passeig de Gràcia

Former entrance to the automobile dealership

Entrance today

Historical photograph (1870–1889) of the passage entrance gate with the carved Teatro Español sign and ticket windows — Interior of the building during its years as a parking garage

Later historical photograph of the passage entrance without the Teatro Español sign and with walled-up ticket booths — Source: La Vanguardia - El Nacional: History of a Centenary Space

Source: mariacanals.org

Maria Canals i Cendrós
Photograph of three ladies and a gentleman on a balcony. Judging by the shape of the arches, we can confirm they are standing on the first-floor balcony, though it is impossible to tell whether it is Casa Vilumara or Casa Pere Llibre. This image provides an exceptional view of the original arch details on both the main and first floors.
Photograph of the historic entrance gate to the passage bearing the Teatro Español sign
Valentí advertisement at Passeig de Gràcia No. 78
La Publicitat, September 1, 1923