The Antigua Escuela de Comercio building, in the centre of Gijón, was designed in 1911 by architect Manuel del Busto and housed the Escuela de Comercio, a school founded in 1899, until the school moved to the former Universidad Laboral in January 2007. It was the first building in the city with a metal structure, which was combined with craftwork in stained glass, tiles and other decorative elements.

Ruiz+Nicieza Arquitectos restored it in 2017 for Gijón City Council, and the project received the 2018 COAA Building Award from the Official College of Architects of Asturias. The restoration turned it into a municipal documentation centre and a base for cultural associations. It has a basement archive, a 123-seat auditorium and spaces for multipurpose use and exhibitions, which the City Council lends free of charge for cultural, educational and social activities. It is also home to the Oficina de Información Juvenil (youth information office), the Espacio Joven, the Biblioteca/Hemeroteca Luis Adaro and a study room for 60 people.