The Palau Requesens was built between the 13th and 15th centuries on top of Barcelona's Roman wall, but so many alterations were made throughout the 20th century that, from a heritage perspective, it is considered a historical forgery. Its transformation and recognition as a monument occurred at different times, beginning with the opening of Via Laietana and the creation, driven by the political desire to capitalize on the splendor of medieval Barcelona, ​​of the so-called Gothic Quarter. Thus, when the Royal Academy of Belles Lettres and the Monuments Commission obtained the usufruct of the palace in 1917, the architect Josep Domènech i Mansana carried out a restoration focused primarily on the courtyard, where he reconstructed battlements, arches, the staircase, a lobed window, and probably the gallery. To accomplish this, he mixed fragments found in municipal warehouses with new construction. According to the geographer and Doctor of Art History Agustín Cócola Gante, it is difficult to distinguish what is "original" from what is new. "The entire history of the city of Barcelona is concentrated in this building," says architect Martina Fabré of Taller de Arquitectura Les Golfes, responsible for the building's upcoming renovation along with the Brullet de Luna studio. The space will become the new headquarters of the Institution of Catalan Letters and will also house the three professional organizations in the sector (AELC, PEN Català, and ACEC) and two other entities dedicated to literary promotion: Espais Escrits (Catalan Literary Heritage Network) and IBBYcat (the Catalan Council for Children's Books). The Royal Academy of Belles Lettres will maintain its location within the Palau Requesens and will continue to occupy the main floor. The works are scheduled to go out to tender in mid-2026 with the aim of starting before the end of the year, with a budget of 4.8 million euros for the renovation. Thus, the plan is for this House of Letters to open its doors in 2028.