During the Modernista era, Reus was Catalonia's second city thanks to good transport links and a balanced economy based on industry and agricultural production. A highlight of Reus is the series of works by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, alongside buildings designed by local architects. It is also the birthplace of Antoni Gaudí, although the great architect did not leave any major works in the town. It has preserved a comprehensive series of Modernista architectural works, with almost a hundred buildings of all types, such as urban houses, country houses, industrial buildings and civic buildings.

The Reus Tourism and Commerce Board has been working hard over the last few years to promote one of the town's major tourist resources: its Modernista architecture. The organisation manages the town's heritage, organises visits and opens spaces previously closed to the public. The latest initiative from the Reus Tourism and Commerce Board was the creation of the Gaudí Centre, an exhibition space to promote the work of this great architect.