Can Regent

Can Regent is a historic masia (traditional Catalan farmhouse) in Montgat, a small coastal town in the Maresme region, a short distance northeast of Barcelona. The building stands on Carrer de l'Onze de Setembre and is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia under record number 08126-14.

What kind of building is this?

Can Regent, formerly known as Can Carreres, is an old basilical-plan masia with a ground floor, two upper stories and an attic, built on a square layout. Its generous scale and solid construction point to the prosperity of the family who built it. Early 20th-century photographs show the farmhouse with its original basilical roofline and stone-framed door and window openings — features that later disappeared during renovation.

What does it look like today?

In the second half of the 20th century the building underwent a major renovation that reshaped its appearance. The façade gained a modern three-tier gallery structure supported on pillars. The original semi-circular arched portal, however, has survived and remains the most recognizable trace of the older building. The walls are plastered and painted cream, sitting on a stone base. The structure is in good condition overall, though it holds no formal legal protection despite its place in the heritage inventory.

Can visitors go inside?

Can Regent is private property, now divided into several independent dwellings within a gated residential development. There is no public access to the interior, but the building can be viewed from the street it faces.

Where does the name come from, and what is its history?

Around 1945 the estate was acquired by developer Joaquim Nebot i Montoliu, acting on behalf of a company called Torre del Regente SL — a name closely tied to the building's current one. Nebot subdivided the old farmland: the portion falling within Tiana became the La Virreina development, while the part on the Montgat side opened on 21 October 1990 as the Urbanització Camí d'Alella. From the original estate, only the perimeter wall and a small chapel dedicated to Sant Joaquim — also known as Mare de Déu de les Neus (Our Lady of the Snows) — have survived.

Where exactly is it located?

The building sits on Carrer de l'Onze de Setembre in Montgat, in the Maresme region of Barcelona province, at approximately 41.4742 N, 2.2800 E.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Can Regent a museum or tourist attraction? No. It is a private residential building split into several dwellings, with no exhibitions or organized visits.

Is the building legally protected? It is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia, but according to available records it has no formal heritage protection status.

What is worth noticing from the outside? The original semi-circular arched portal and the modern pillared gallery added to the façade are the most distinctive features, standing in visible contrast with the older structure.

Is there a chapel connected to Can Regent? Yes, a small chapel dedicated to Sant Joaquim, also known as Mare de Déu de les Neus, survives on the former estate grounds.