The company 
Torre de
Collserola S.A.

Beginnings

Barcelona’s government, in anticipation of the communications requirements of the 1992 Olympic Games and with an aim of bringing together the telecommunication services scattered across the region, promoted the construction of a large telecommunications complex that could also serve as a new symbol for the city.

The idea

Since it was the local government who authorized a single communications tower on the Collserola mountain range, two major players (Telefónica and TVE) were brought in to develop a joint project. Together with the Barcelona City Council, these two companiesdefined the project’s basic parameters, which also included a public viewing platform as required by the local administration.

The bidding process

Once the preliminary plans were developed in November 1987, Torre de Collserola, S.A. was established and announced a design BIDDING PROCESS among internationally renowned designers in order to choose the best project to develop. Four first-rate projects with extremely diverse solutions –from more classic towers to structurally innovative proposals– were presented in March 1988.

The project

The bid was finally awarded to the proposal by architect Norman Foster, which focused on a streamlined design, innovation, the adaption of the structure to the landscape and a minimal visual impact with acable-stayed tower featuring large overhanging platforms. Foster’s design incorporated an already advanced structural calculation as a result of his collaboration with the Ove Arup engineering firm.

Construction

In light of the possibilities offered by the winning project, a new layout of the design criteria was drawn up and the company formed a Technical Commission composed of representatives from the partner companies, who periodically met with the members of the Design Team, which included the architectural and structural project managers (Foster and Arup).

The basic design that was presented for the required building license in February 1989 was already the result of a joint effortsby users, designers and structural professionals who, according to Norman Foster, were symbolically represented in the three radial arms that supported each platform.

Architect Norman Foster defined it as “A new symbol for the city, a tower that stands its ground yet adapts to each moment and changes with each new perspective”. 

1987 

• Torre de Collserola, S.A. is founded and the technical parameters for the project are approved.

1988

• Design bidding process for the tower. The bid is awarded to British architect Norman Foster, together with the OVE ARUP engineering firm.

1989

• Final design prepared by Foster Associates Ltd. and Ove Arup, with the collaboration of CAST engineering firm.
• Selection of the site in Turó de la Vilana.
• First land survey.
• Construction competition, involving eleven major companies across Europe.
• Geological survey of the terrain.
• The construction bid is awarded to Cubiertasy MZOV, S.A.

1990

• The variation order is signed.
• Placement of the first stone by Barcelona Mayor Pasqual Maragall.
• Main concrete slab.
• Slipform shaft work begins.
• The tube and latticework are inserted into the shaft.
• Provisional cable-stayed work and the construction of the metal structure on the ground.

1991

• The concrete slipform shaft is completed.
• The platform is raised 77 m in the air.
• Placement of the G1 and G2 cables is completed, and the provisional staying system is disassembled.
• Positioning of the G3 struts is completed.
• The tube is completed. The tower reaches its final height.
• The toweris lit up like a gigantic Christmas tree, which earns it a Guinness Record.

1992

• The installation of the radiant systems, transmitters and UHF multiplexers is completed.
• All TV channels start broadcasting from the Torre Collserola.
• Opening day.
• The Torre de Collserola wins the “Puente de Alcántara” International Award.

1993

• FM radio begins broadcasting from the tower.
• The public viewing platform (El Mirador) opens.
• Leasing infrastructure services to various users (taxi, transportation, service companies, security, etc.) begins.
• FAD Architecture Award and FAD Opinion Award.

1994

• Substitutions and additions to the radio link capacity.
• Digitalization of links.
• Installation of private FM stations.
• Increase in the number of the tower’s clients and users.

1997

• First experimental tests broadcasting digital radio and television.

2009

• A renovation and expansion of all the complex’s general facilities is launched.

2010

• Digital terrestrial television (DDT) is implemented.
• Analog TV is switched off.