The Amatller Institute of Hispanic Art was founded by Teresa Amatller in 1941, according to the wish of her father, the chocolate manufacturer Antoni Amatller i Costa, to create a research centre on Hispanic Art. It is located on the building's main floor, which was the family's former residence, and has a photo library and art book collection.

The Casa Amatller is the result of renovation work designed by Puig i Cadafalch over an existing building. His plans were presented to the Barcelona City Council in 1898 and the façade and layout of the rooms were completely remodelled. A new floor was also added and an attic was built on the roof, which was hidden by the upper part of the building and housed a studio for photography, of which the owner was a great fan.

The façade was inspired by Medieval Catalan palaces but was crowned by a Central European stepped gable roof. The entire building is an important example of the combination of architecture and the decorative arts of Modernisme and it still retains its original ornamentation and furniture.