Machines are already working at the old Campoamor market, known as the 'ghost market' due to its lack of activity. The project, which includes a Consum supermarket and a car park, will be executed over a year late.
The Campoamor neighbourhood in Sabadell saw excavators begin to demolish the old municipal market this week, a building that had been practically empty for years. Known by locals as the 'ghost market', the structure of 37 stalls barely housed two establishments that had been open for some time.
The demolition works, which are expected to last until mid-September, represent the first step of an urban planning plan announced at the end of 2023 by the Sabadell City Council. The original project planned to demolish the building after the summer of 2024, start construction in 2025, and open the new market in 2026, but the timelines have been delayed by more than a year.
The future facility, which will be managed by the Consum chain as the concessionaire of the supermarket, will feature 1,180 square metres of sales area. It will include bakery, fishmonger, butcher-deli, and greengrocery sections, as well as several additional commercial premises.
In addition to the supermarket, the building will house a space for community organisations in district 6 — which encompasses the southern neighbourhoods of Sabadell — with offices, an auditorium, a meeting room, and a storage area. A subterranean parking lot with around a hundred spaces is also planned.
The total investment exceeds 5.2 million euros, according to figures provided by the council during the project presentation. The construction will be undertaken by Consum, which will bear most of the cost in exchange for operating the supermarket during the concession period.
The new market will incorporate energy efficiency measures, such as a partially green roof, solar panels, a rainwater collection system, and improvements in thermal insulation. These features aim to reduce the building's energy consumption and align with the municipality's sustainability goals.
This initiative is part of the urban transformation of southern Sabadell, an area that has seen local commerce decline in recent years. The 'ghost market' had become a symbol of that decline, with its 35 closed stalls and only two remaining open.
The project was approved thanks to an agreement between the municipal government (PSC and Junts) and En Comú Podem, with the support of community associations in district 6. The goal, according to municipal sources, is to turn the new facility into a hub of commercial and social activity that revitalises the neighbourhood.
Residents of Campoamor had been calling for a solution for the abandoned market for years. During this time, the building had deteriorated and generated complaints due to the lack of activity and the sense of neglect. With the start of the demolition, the expectation is that the new space will bring life back to an area that needs meeting points and services.
The demolition works are proceeding without incidents, although the City Council has asked residents for patience due to the noise and disturbances typical of a demolition. It is expected that once the demolition is completed in September, the construction phase will begin, lasting several months.
The new Campoamor market aims to be an example of how to reclaim underutilised public spaces and adapt them to current needs, combining commerce, community services, and sustainability. The final opening date will depend on the pace of the works, but the council is confident it can be operational before the end of 2026.
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