The building was built as a residence between 1903 and 1908, for Pere Serra, although he never actually lived there. It has subsequently served several purposes, and is now the home of the Provincial Deputation of Barcelona.[1][2]
The section of the building fronting Avinguda Diagonal was demolished in 1981, and replaced by an office building, by Federico Correa and Alfonso Milá, to house the offices of the provincial council (1987). The contrast between the two very different styles was the subject of controversy at the time.