New student residence opens in Barcelona

Livensa Living has opened its fourth residence in Barcelona, adding 400 beds to the city’s student housing market. The new residence, Livensa Living Barcelona Parallel, is located at Avinguda del Paral·lel in Sants-Montjuïc, close to several universities and landmarks.

Barcelona is one of Europe’s most attractive university cities, and “we continue to see strong interest from both national and international students,” said Orianna Tosta, Regional Manager at Livensa Living.

The opening of Livensa Living Barcelona Parallel is part of the company’s efforts to address the shortage of accommodation in the city. Livensa Living’s parent, Nido Livensa Group, aims to exceed 13,000 beds following recent acquisitions, with a target of 25,000 beds by 2031 across Italy, Iberia, and Germany.

Livensa Living’s growth strategy is focused on the highest-demand markets in Southern Europe, where the company is expanding its network and strengthening its leadership. Javier Muñoz Revueltas, Operations Director at Livensa Living, notes that every new opening responds to a clear business opportunity, but also to the purpose of bringing value to the city and offering students high-quality spaces.

Beyond its physical expansion, Livensa Living has built a distinct brand identity through its Urban Art programme. The Barcelona Parallel residence features a large-scale mural titled La Distancia by Spanish artist Jay Kaes, a member of Banksy’s artistic circle. The mural is a blend of photorealism, line drawing, and digital patterns, reflecting Kaes’ unique style.

Jay Kaes has completed murals across five continents, including commissions for Netflix and American Express, and has a solo exhibition scheduled at Galería Juan Silió in Santander later in 2026.

A fourth asset in a single city within one platform’s portfolio is a clear signal of market conviction, and with Barcelona’s structural bed shortage showing no sign of easing, operators with existing local scale and institutional backing are positioned to keep consolidating share ahead of new entrants still securing sites.

Nido Livensa Group, Livensa Living’s parent platform, is a vertically integrated European student accommodation platform that owns, develops, acquires, and operates prime PBSA assets across the continent. The company combines institutional-grade investment capabilities with a resident-focused approach to wellbeing and community, making it a leader in the industry.