The building of Hotel Granvia was built in 1870 as bourgeois palace, by 19th century Catalan architect Jeroni Granell. It was commissioned by the Serra-Chopitea family, primary owners of the Maquinista Terrestre y Marítima Company and founding members of the First Bank of Barcelona, established in 1845.

The original owners of the palace, Josep Maria Serra Muñoz and Dorotea de Chopitea y de Villota, both born in Chile as descendants of Spanish aristocracy, had six children. In 1873, they moved into the palace-house Gran Via in the heart of the Eixample neighborhood and in 1882, lady Dorotea, now widowed, began to devote more of her energies to improving the lives of her fellow Barcelona citizens, and supporting various social projects, particularly the construction of churches, schools, hospitals and residences, such as the Tibidabo Temple or the Children Hospital San Joan de Deu. She maintained regular correspondence with Saint John Bosco and his successor, the Blessed Miguel Rúa, and also contributed generously to the founding of other projects in Chile and in Barcelona. She was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on 1983, and her possible beatification is currently under review. Her biography, by Salesian historian Ramón Alberdi, was published by Edebé Publishing House.

In addition to serving as the residence of the Serra-Chopitea family, the palace was also one of the headquarters for the Artistic Circle of Barcelona, founded in 1881, also known briefly as the Centro de Acuarelistas (watercolor painters’ center). In 1916 King Alfonso XIII honoured it as it the Royal Artistic Circle of Barcelona. Its enduring principal objective is to promote and support all forms of cultural and artistic expression. The Organization played a leading role in the artistic and social life of Barcelona, particularly towards the end of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century. It coordinated many cultural and artistic festivals, dances, and folk celebrations. Its presidents have included most of the Catalan literates and personalities of the period, such as painter Santiago Rusiñol.

During its long and interesting history, Hotel Granvia has served as location on numerous films, TV serials and photo magazines.