The building, which was built in 1926, was headquarters of the old Fòrum Vergés, cultural centre of reference in the city, which belonged to the Companyia de Jesús.In 1987 it was sold to an association of the widows of stock and bill brokers. Three years later, with the failed plans to convert the building into the Barcelona Stock Exchange Headquarters or a four-star hotel, it was purchased by the Government of Catalonia. Later, in 1990, UPF assumed ownership.

Renovation

Renovation for university use dates from 1990. On 8 October of the same year, 316 students of Law and of Economic and Business Sciences began the first year at UPF in the classrooms of the Balmes building. In 1992 work was carried out to extend the building which housed the Continuing Education Institute (IDEC) between 1997 and 2015. Currently it hosts the UPF Barcelona School of Management.

The architect of the building was Enric Sagnier, and the renovation and new works were Jaume Llobet and Josep Benedito. The constructed surface is 1,548 m2, with an occupied surface area of 1,548 m2 and a constructed and renovated surface area of 12,229 m2.