Argentine footballer Leo Messi has acquired the former Via Wagner shopping centre, located in the Turó Park area in the upper part of Barcelona, for €11.5 million.
The buyer was the SOCIMI Edificio Rostower, owned by Leo Messi himself. This corporate structure is the one the footballer uses to manage his property investments and other business assets. According to the seller of the property, the transaction was handled through Alejandro Alcaraz’s private office, Santomera Bay.
The former Via Wagner shopping centre had been closed since 1993 due to the complex ownership situation, with up to 87 premises and owners with differing interests. This situation had for decades hindered any attempt to reopen or redevelop the building. The property was therefore lying derelict despite its prime location.
The plan following this acquisition involves a comprehensive refurbishment of the building, which covers approximately 4,000 sqm. The aim is to convert the space into an asset for office lettings. In this way, the property will move away from its original commercial use to adapt to current market demand.
The selling company has indicated that the project has already attracted interest from several leading players in the financial sector. However, it has not yet been decided which company will ultimately occupy the building once the works are complete. The transformation is at an early planning stage. Santomera Bay, the firm that sold the asset, had acquired the building in 2025 after receiving interest from various institutional investors and family offices. According to this company, the property’s location and historical value made it a particularly attractive asset. Ultimately, the deal was finalised with the award to Leo Messi’s SOCIMI.
This purchase comes just a few weeks after another major investment by the Argentine footballer was made public in mid-April: the acquisition of UE Cornellà, a fifth-tier Spanish football club. With this move, Messi is strengthening his investment presence in Barcelona and its metropolitan area. His strategy aims to diversify his interests beyond the strictly sporting sphere.
“When an investor of Leo Messi’s stature and global recognition chooses Barcelona, it sends a signal to the international market that places the city in the spotlight for major institutional investors”, noted Santomera Bay. Such transactions, they added, reinforce the Catalan capital’s position as a leading destination for high-end property investment.
