Barcelona, March 9 – The iconic Imax cinema building in Port Vell, a symbol of 90s modernity that had fallen into disrepair, is set for a new lease on life. It will be transformed into ‘Prisma,’ an immersive art center, before the planned construction of the Liceu Mar redefines the area. The project, led by the Stoneweg fund, will host international immersive art exhibitions for at least four years, with preparations already underway.
‘Prisma’: A New Vision for Port Vell
The new center will be named ‘Prisma,’ a nod to the building’s hexagonal shape and the optical prism’s ability to refract and decompose light into a spectrum of colors. The grand opening is scheduled for July 1st, with a ‘pre-opening’ in June for testing. This ambitious project represents an investment exceeding eight million euros, expected to be amortized by 2030. Should the opera house project face delays, ‘Prisma’ could extend its operations beyond this initial period.
Stoneweg’s Cultural Footprint in Barcelona
Stoneweg, a key player in Barcelona’s cultural landscape, is also behind other significant projects such as the Palau Martorell and the upcoming Carmen Thyssen museum and cultural center in l’Hospitalet. The company had previously attempted to establish a branch of the Hermitage museum in the port area, a proposal rejected by municipal opposition. Through its subsidiary, AC House, Stoneweg is now reorienting the Imax building, which housed the America’s Cup Experience from 2024 until this summer. To prevent the facility from falling into disuse again, the company and the port authority agreed on a new concession, aiming to keep the venue active and bolster the strategy of promoting family-friendly, daytime leisure activities on Port Vell’s central pier.
The Port’s Board of Directors approved the permit in December, initially outlining a change of phase for
