In 1900, Miquel Salvadó, owner of the Fonda Espanya, commissioned Domènech to renovate his establishment in Barcelona's Raval district. Salvadó wanted to extend and modernise the establishment, which had been in use since 1859, to bring it up to the level of the new restaurants that were being created at the end of the century.
The work consisted of refurbishing the dining rooms and foyer of the inn, which opened in 1900, renovating the staircase and installing a lift, adapting the waiting room, the guest dining room, the music room and the living soom and the reading room, which were completed in 1903.
Although at first it was only a question of changing the interior decoration, Domènech ended up carrying out a complete refurbishment of the ground floor, rearranging the spaces and removing walls, bringing in natural light.
The walls separating the various rooms were replaced by large metal beams supported by pilasters with decorated capitals, and a large glass skylight was built.
All the interiors were lavishly ornamented, with great decorative creativity, which was adapted to each space.
Particularly remarkable are the sgraffito mermaids by Ramon Casas in the guest dining room.
In 1903 all the work was completed and a year later it was awarded the prize for the best commercial establishment in the competition organised by Barcelona City Council.
Over the years it has changed owners, and although it has undergone some modifications, a large part of Domènech's work has been maintained, always maintaining its original use.
