Casa Pérez Samanillo and the Círculo Ecuestre.

An Art Nouveau Mansion Preserving the Splendour of a Bygone Era

At the intersection of Avinguda Diagonal and Carrer de Balmes, in the heart of Barcelona, stands Casa Pérez Samanillo, the current headquarters of the Círculo Ecuestre. This remarkable mansion is one of the most distinguished examples of Barcelona’s bourgeois residential architecture from the early 20th century, a period when the city was undergoing profound urban, economic and cultural transformation.

Its architecture combines the elegance of European residential models with French-inspired eclecticism and details characteristic of Catalan Modernisme. Behind its distinctive façade lies a story that connects the splendour of bourgeois Barcelona with the evolution of one of the city’s most traditional social institutions.

More than a historic building, Casa Pérez Samanillo represents an architectural expression of prestige, identity and social life.

History and Origins: The Splendour of Early 20th-Century Barcelona

Casa Pérez Samanillo was built between 1910 and 1911 as the private residence of the Pérez Samanillo family, at a time when Barcelona’s industrial and financial bourgeoisie was commissioning elegant residences along the city’s principal avenues.

The project was designed by architect Joan Josep Hervàs i Arizmendi, with Joan Esteva contributing to the decorative work. The result was a stately residence conceived to combine an impressive exterior with richly ornamented interiors.

At the time, Barcelona was experiencing a period of expansion and modernisation. Avinguda Diagonal was emerging as one of the city’s principal urban thoroughfares, while affluent families commissioned distinctive buildings that reflected their social standing and artistic sensibilities.

Casa Pérez Samanillo emerged from this context as an outstanding example of refined residential architecture, where every detail contributed to an atmosphere of elegance and exclusivity.

Architecture: Between French Tradition and Catalan Modernisme

One of Casa Pérez Samanillo’s greatest attractions is its architectural language, which combines references to French architecture with elements characteristic of Catalan Modernisme in the early 20th century.

Its composition reflects an eclectic aesthetic in which the grandeur of European mansions, the decorative richness of Modernisme and a carefully considered arrangement of architectural volumes come together.

Among its most distinctive features are:

• The large oval window: One of the building’s most remarkable architectural elements, facing Avinguda Diagonal and reflecting its distinctive Modernista character.
• The façade composition: Carefully articulated volumes and ornamental details that give the building depth and individuality.
• French architectural influences: Evident in the mansion’s stately character and in several aspects of its exterior design.
• Interior decoration: Featuring fine craftsmanship and ornamental details that reflect the refined tastes of the period.

The interplay of these elements makes the building a distinctive presence along Avinguda Diagonal, where European influences are reinterpreted through Barcelona’s own artistic sensibility.

An Award-Winning Work of Architecture

The architectural significance of Casa Pérez Samanillo was recognised shortly after its construction. In 1911, the building received Barcelona City Council’s award for the best building of the year, confirming its standing within the architectural landscape of the time.

This distinction highlights the importance placed on design quality, urban integration and artistic value in Barcelona’s emerging architectural scene.

More than a century later, its distinctive character remains evident along Avinguda Diagonal, where it stands as a notable surviving example of the grand private residences that once characterised this part of the city.

From Private Mansion to the Círculo Ecuestre

The building’s history is closely connected to that of the Círculo Ecuestre, an institution founded in 1856 that has played a prominent role in Barcelona’s social and business life.

After occupying several locations throughout its history, the institution moved into Casa Pérez Samanillo in the late 1940s, establishing its headquarters there in 1950.

Adapting the property to its new purpose involved a significant architectural transformation. In 1948, architect Raimon Duran i Reynals directed renovation and extension works, incorporating additional spaces for the institution’s activities.

These interventions made it possible to preserve the historic mansion while adapting it to the needs of an organisation dedicated to social, professional and cultural exchange.

The result is an architectural complex that brings together different chapters of Barcelona’s history: the residential elegance of the early 20th century and the subsequent transformations associated with the evolution of urban life.

The Círculo Ecuestre: Tradition, Culture and Social Connections

Since its foundation, the Círculo Ecuestre has maintained a close relationship with the history of Barcelona’s bourgeoisie. Over the decades, the institution has evolved into a meeting place for professionals, business leaders and representatives from a wide range of social and cultural fields.

Its headquarters features elegant salons and spaces for meetings, institutional gatherings, cultural activities and social events.

The institution’s presence at Casa Pérez Samanillo adds another historical dimension to the building. Its interiors preserve the memory of a former bourgeois residence while continuing to play an active role in contemporary Barcelona.

The combination of architectural heritage and present-day activity makes the complex an example of historical continuity, where past and present coexist within the same setting.

Architectural Evolution and Heritage Conservation

Casa Pérez Samanillo has undergone several transformations since its construction. Its adaptation to institutional use involved changes to parts of the original layout and the incorporation of additional architectural volumes.

These interventions reflect one of the central challenges of heritage conservation: preserving a historic building’s identity while adapting it to the changing needs of a modern city.

In this case, the coexistence of the original mansion and subsequent extensions reveals different architectural languages and illustrates how Barcelona has adapted historic buildings to new purposes over time.

Casa Pérez Samanillo is protected as a Local Cultural Heritage Asset (Bé Cultural d’Interès Local, BCIL), a designation recognising its heritage value and contributing to the preservation of its importance within Barcelona’s urban landscape.

Location: A Prestigious Setting on Avinguda Diagonal

Its location at the intersection of Avinguda Diagonal and Carrer de Balmes places Casa Pérez Samanillo in one of the most representative areas of modern Barcelona.

Avinguda Diagonal is one of the city’s principal thoroughfares, lined with buildings from different periods, architectural styles and uses. Within this setting, Casa Pérez Samanillo stands out for its historic character and the contrast between its stately architecture and the contemporary buildings surrounding it.

Its proximity to other areas of architectural interest makes it an excellent addition to a walking itinerary exploring bourgeois Barcelona, Catalan Modernisme and the city’s urban development.

For architecture enthusiasts, pausing to admire its façade offers an opportunity to appreciate details that might otherwise go unnoticed, particularly the distinctive oval window facing the avenue.

Discover Bourgeois Barcelona with Magic Dreams Barcelona

Discover Casa Pérez Samanillo and the Círculo Ecuestre from a deeper perspective with Magic Dreams Barcelona. Our team of professional local guides creates personalised experiences that reveal Barcelona’s architectural, historical, artistic and cultural richness.

Our services include:

• Private architectural and historical tours, exploring the evolution of bourgeois Barcelona and its principal artistic movements.
• Personalised cultural visits, tailored to each visitor’s interests.
• Private door-to-door transport, with comprehensive planning for a comfortable and seamless experience.
• Private and themed gastronomic experiences, inspired by local and international culinary traditions.
• Cultural activities and exclusive experiences, designed around each occasion.
• Tailor-made stays and itineraries, offering an intimate, authentic and distinctive way to discover Barcelona.

We offer our services in Spanish, Catalan and English. With advance notice, experiences can also be arranged in other languages.

Access to the interior of Casa Pérez Samanillo and the facilities of the Círculo Ecuestre is subject to the institution’s visitor policies. We therefore recommend checking availability and access conditions in advance.

Discover Barcelona Through Its Architecture and History

Casa Pérez Samanillo is much more than an elegant building on Avinguda Diagonal. It is a testament to early 20th-century Barcelona, the architectural ambitions of its bourgeoisie and the city’s ability to preserve its heritage while continuing to evolve.

Its distinctive architecture, artistic details and association with the Círculo Ecuestre make it a particularly interesting destination for those wishing to discover a less obvious side of Barcelona, beyond its best-known monuments.

With Magic Dreams Barcelona, every itinerary becomes an opportunity to experience the city from a different perspective, bringing together architecture, history, culture and lifestyle.

Discover the elegance of bourgeois Barcelona and uncover the stories hidden within its most remarkable buildings.

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