The renovation project for Valencia’s Town Hall Square continues to move forward, and we are getting closer and closer to seeing with our own eyes what the city’s most iconic landmark will look like. After consulting with municipal departments, local associations, and businesses in the area, the City Council has finalized the square’s design.
The new plaza will have more space and capacity to host the mascletàs, will maintain EMT bus routes, and will double the number of trees, although it abandons the “urban forest” concept proposed by the previous administration.
The redesign work will cover more than 38,500 square meters, including the square itself, the northern section of San Vicente Street, and Marqués de Sotelo Street up to its intersection with Xàtiva Street. The pavement will be adjusted so that buses travel on a platform without asphalt, and the sidewalks will be reconfigured to expand the space available for vehicle traffic.
This project, which is part of the Valentia Plan to unify the image, paving, and street furniture of the historic center, has been heavily criticized by the opposition, as its cost has risen by more than 80% compared to the preliminary proposal presented in December 2025: from 13.8 million to 25 million euros in total cost.
More capacity for the mascletàs, more shade, and more seating
The central ellipse, from which the mascletàs are set off, will be relocated to align with the City Hall façade. This adjustment will increase the capacity for the fireworks displays, although it has not yet been determined how these new spaces will be reconciled with the increased number of trees—one of the main obstacles to visibility of the shows.
In this regard, in addition to doubling the shaded areas and improving the cooling of the environment, plans call for the installation of more than 1,700 seats and two new drinking fountains, as well as the removal of the flower garden and the perimeter border around the monumental fountain. Two landscaped areas will also be created: one in front of the old post office building (inspired by the work of Joaquín Sorolla) and another in front of the Valencian Film Archive.
As for the shops, in addition to changing the appearance of the storefronts to a classic style—as previously planned—the individual layout of the flower stalls will be restored, and they will be clad in handcrafted Valencian ceramics featuring floral motifs.
The sculpture of Francesc de Vinatea will also be moved a few meters, improving its visibility from San Vicente Street, and commemorative plaques will be installed to mark four historical milestones: the route of the Via Augusta, the city’s founding, the former studio of architect Javier Goerlich, and the founding of Valencia CF across from the former Bar Torino.
