Lionel Messi has added another significant asset to his growing property portfolio in Barcelona, purchasing the former Galerías Via Wagner building for €11.5 million.
The acquisition was made through his real estate investment company, Edificio Rostower Socimi, and includes plans for a full refurbishment of the long-closed site. The move strengthens Messi’s presence in Catalonia’s property market, where most of his assets are concentrated.
The former Galerías Via Wagner in Turó Park
The property, located in the Turó Park area of Barcelona, has been closed since 1993. It originally housed 87 retail units, but the complex shut down due to fragmented ownership and conflicting interests between different shop proprietors.
The building spans approximately 4,000 square metres and has remained dormant for more than three decades. Its location in Turó Park places it in one of the city’s established residential districts, an area characterised by elegant apartment blocks and proximity to green space.
The seller was Santomera Bay, a private office led by Alejandro Alcaraz.
Full refurbishment and plans for the rental market
The €11.5 million deal includes a comprehensive rehabilitation of the entire building.
Once renovated, the property will be repositioned for the rental market. While specific details of the future layout have not been disclosed, the intention is to bring the building back into active commercial use after more than 30 years of closure.
What is Edificio Rostower Socimi?
Edificio Rostower is a Spanish socimi (Sociedad Cotizada de Inversión en el Mercado Inmobiliario), which operates as a real estate investment trust structure.
The company is owned by Lionel Messi and is headquartered on Calle Urgell in Barcelona.
In early 2025, Messi took the company public on the Portfolio Stock Exchange, an alternative market. The shares debuted at €57.4 each, giving the company an initial valuation of €223.2 million. This marked a notable step in expanding his activity as a listed property investor.
Key assets in Messi’s real estate portfolio
The Rostower building in Barcelona
One of the company’s flagship assets is the Rostower building in Barcelona, which gives the socimi its name.
- Six-storey building
- Approximately 4,000 m²
- Used for office and commercial space
Other properties in Spain and internationally
Messi’s portfolio includes a mix of commercial and hospitality-linked assets:
- A 2,500 m² industrial warehouse in Sitges, currently leased to a supermarket chain
- A restaurant in Castelldefels
- Properties in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi (Barcelona), Castelldefels, Cala Tarida (Ibiza), Paris and London
MiM Hotels and hospitality investments
Beyond traditional real estate holdings, Messi owns the MiM Hotels brand. The hotels are operated by Meliá Hotels International and are located in Sotogrande, Sitges, Ibiza, Mallorca and a few other places in Spain.
His business interests also include the Hincha restaurant brand, managed by chef Nandu Jubany.
Expansion beyond Spain: US-based family office
Alongside his Spanish real estate operations, Messi has established a separate family office in the United States, where he currently resides while playing for Inter Miami.
This US-based structure manages investments in startups through a company called Play Time and diversifies capital into other strategic sectors.
