German real estate giant ECE Work & Live has made its first strategic move into Spain's resilient residential market, signalling a broader European expansion as the company targets dynamic metropolitan markets with persistent housing demand. The Barcelona-area development, realised through a partnership with local developer Layetana Living, represents a calculated entry into one of Europe's most supply-constrained residential markets.
The 125-apartment build-to-sell project in Cornellà de Llobregat will feature 130 parking spaces and 79 storage units, strategically positioned within Barcelona's western metropolitan corridor. What makes this development particularly compelling for investors is its integration of 1,200 m² of ground-floor commercial space, creating a mixed-use asset class that generates multiple revenue streams whilst addressing Spain's critical shortage of affordable housing stock.
The timing of ECE Work & Live's Spanish debut coincides with Barcelona's urban regeneration momentum, with the development benefiting from proximity to future public green zones and direct connectivity to central Barcelona via Cornellà Riera station. This transportation advantage positions the project within the broader metropolitan growth trajectory that has attracted international capital seeking exposure to Spain's demographic resilience.
For institutional investors, the partnership model reveals ECE Work & Live's sophisticated market entry strategy, leveraging Layetana Living's local expertise whilst deploying its proven development capabilities across 8,000 completed or planned apartments. The mid-market positioning addresses a critical gap in Barcelona's housing market, where quality affordable options remain scarce despite strong underlying demand from both domestic and international buyers.
What hasn't been widely recognised is Spain's emerging role as a European demographic safe haven, with Barcelona attracting talent migration from across the continent whilst maintaining construction costs significantly below other major European capitals. This development represents early positioning in what could become a sustained international developer influx into Spanish residential markets.
"This project is a milestone for ECE Work & Live, as it marks our very first residential development in Spain, which is a promising and attractive market for us," said Henrie W. Kötter, CEO of ECE Work & Live. Jan-Hendrik Walloch, Managing Partner of ECE Living, added: "The project fits well into our strategic focus on developing projects in dynamic metropolises in European countries with a strong economic and demographic growth trajectory and a persistent demand for affordable state-of-the-art housing." Construction commences Summer 2026, with completion scheduled for Summer 2028.
People mentioned:
- Henrie W. Kötter, CEO, ECE Work & Live
- Jan-Hendrik Walloch, Managing Partner, ECE Living
- James Wells, Managing Director, Layetana Living
Companies mentioned:
- ECE Work & Live - German real estate developer and operator
- Layetana Living - Barcelona-based residential developer
- Ashurst - Legal and tax advisory firm
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