The history of Hotel Granvía is closely tied to that of the Eixample

In 1870, Don Josep Maria Serra Muñoz and Doña Dorotea de Chopitea y de Villota, both Chilean by birth and descendants of families of the Spanish aristocracy, commissioned the architect Jeroni Granell Mundet to construct their stately home in the new Ensanche of Barcelona; specifically, on the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, just beside its intersection with the Paseo de Gràcia.

Jeroni Granell Mundet (1834-1889) was licensed in 1854 as a master builder, crafter, and decorator. By 1855 he also held the title of land surveyor and director of local roads (which today would be the equivalent of a degree in civil engineering), overseeing the city’s streets, canals, and ports. He completed various works in Barcelona, including the now razed Granvia exhibition hall (1869), the altar of the Church of the Conception (1871), and the core of the Sacred Heart Hospital (1855), among others.

His work is characteristic of the Medievalist generation that gradually evolved into Eclecticism.

In 1873, the Serra-Chopitea family, the principal shareholders of the company Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima and founding members of the first Bank of Barcelona, established in 1845, moved with their 6 daughters into this palatial mansion on the Gran Via, right in the heart of the Eixample.

In 1882, following the death of her husband, Doña Dorotea de Chopitea redoubled her social commitment, turning her focus to improving the quality of life of the people of Barcelona. She became among the most influential women in the history of Barcelona, earning the honorary title of “Mother of the Poor.”

Doña Dorotea maintained a correspondence with San Juan Bosco and his successor, Miguel Rúa, and played a significant role in the founding of public works of the Salesians in Chile and Barcelona, promoting the construction of temples, schools, hospitals and residences, among them the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, atop Tibidabo, the Hospital de Sant Joan de Déu, and the Hospital of the Sacred Heart.

She was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on June 9th 1983, and her life is currently under consideration for beatification. More recently in 2009, Salesian historian Ramón Alberdi published the biography Dorotea de Chopitea y de Villota (1816-1891). Construir una Barcelona para todos (Building a Barcelona for All), released by Fundación Edebé.

Years later, the palace was sold and converted into one of the headquarters of Barcelona’s Artistic Circle, established in 1881, and known as the Watercolor Center until it reverted to its original name three years later. In 1916, King Alfonso XIII recognized it as a Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona. The entity’s central objective has always been to support and promote all kinds of cultural and artistic production.

The Circle maintained its central role in the social and artistic life of the city, particularly around the turn of the 20th century, coordinating social events, balls, and popular festivals, including functions of the Gran Salón del Palco and the Gran Teatro del Liceo.

After a major renovation, the palace re-opened as the Hotel Granvía. The reconstruction carefully conserved the façade, the grand staircase leading to the gallery and glass dome, one of the hotel’s ballrooms (Don Bosco Hall), the Chapel, and the living quarters of Doña Dorotea de Chopitea.

It very quickly became a fashionable hotel and was frequently the site of celebrations, dances, and formal functions organized by the Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona and the Gran Teatro del Liceo. Among its regular guests were renowned actors, politicians, soldiers, and members of Spanish and Catalonian high society.

In 1986, the Núñez y Navarro Group purchased the property, with the objective of renovating it and transforming it into a modern luxury hotel.

Throughout its long history, Hotel Granvia has appeared in multiple movies, television series, and other features. Among its most notable cameos are:

• “11-11-11” (Darren Lynn Bousman, 2011). A horror/thriller written by Bousman, the director of 3 sequels to the acclaimed saga Saw (II, III & IV) and Repo! The Genetic Opera.
• “23-F: El día más difícil del Rey” (RTVE, 2009). A television mini-series shot by Televisión Española depicting the life and times of King Juan Carlos I, starring Lluis Homar as the King; Juan Luis Galiardo as Alfonso Armada; and José Sancho as Jaime Milans del Bosch.
• “La silla” (Julio D. Wallovits, 2006). Spanish film distributed internationally as The Chair.
• “Inconscientes” (Joaquín Oristrell, 2004). An international coproduction distributed as Unconscious, set in Modernist Barcelona of 1913 and shot on location.
• Una mariposa sobre la espalda (Jacques Deray, 1978). French film whose original title is Un papillon sur l’epaule.

The hotel has also made frequent appearances in photo shoots for fashion magazines and catalogues including Sposa Bella, Woman, Hola, the Magazine of El País newspaper, and many others, including features by the prestigious photographer Outumuro, who has immortalized countless models and actresses within the hotel’s walls.

In the 21st century, further renovations were completed between October 2012 and May 2013. Hotel Granvía now offers 58 unique and stunning rooms, including family rooms and a spectacular JR Suite. A period style room now serves as a Library and Business Center, and leads to a magnificent 500m² terrace-garden to offer a bit of quiet in the bustling heart of the Eixample.

A historical palace for a hotel that makes history.