The Catalan authorities have announced plans to acquire a new delegation office in Madrid, allocating an impressive sum of €27 million for this purpose. This decision follows the forced departure from their longtime premises, as soaring real estate prices in the center of the Spanish capital made it impossible to remain on Alcalá Street.
Currently, staff are temporarily based in rented offices on Ourense Street, covering 1,600 square meters. However, the regional government is determined to purchase its own building to ensure a long-term presence in the country’s key political and cultural hub. Particular emphasis is placed on location—the new delegation must be close to the Congress of Deputies as well as near Madrid’s cultural and administrative districts, such as Recoletos, Goya or La Castellana.
Requirements for the future headquarters
The potential site must meet strict criteria. The premises should cover between 2,000 and 2,500 square meters to accommodate the delegate’s offices, administrative units, and the Blanquerna Bookshop and Cultural Center, which includes three sections: a bookstore hall, a language department, and a cultural space with a 150-seat hall. In addition, provision is made for six parking spaces.
A key requirement is a residential unit ranging from 85 to 105 square meters. It must include a bedroom with an en suite bathroom, an additional room, a living room, a kitchen, and a second bathroom. The living quarters may be either inside the main building or located no more than 250 meters away.
Financial details and timelines
The purchase will be financed through extended budgets or additional loans, since the government did not have an approved budget for the current year at the time of the announcement. The maximum price per square meter for the main building is set at €10,300, while for the residential unit it is €10,600. Parking spaces are priced separately, with costs reaching up to €44,700 each.
Applications for participation in the tender are accepted until January 19. After that, the Catalan authorities plan to review all proposals and select the most suitable option by April. Officials emphasize that the new representation should not only perform administrative functions, but also become an important cultural center for residents and visitors of Madrid.
The significance of the move for Catalonia
The relocation of the delegation to a new building is driven not only by economic considerations, but also by a desire to strengthen Catalonia’s position on Spain’s political stage. Proximity to key government institutions and cultural sites will enable more effective representation of the region’s interests and foster cultural initiatives.
Thus, the Catalan authorities are betting on a long-term presence in the capital despite challenging economic conditions and the absence of an approved budget. The decision to purchase a new building underscores the strategic importance of maintaining a representative office in Madrid for the ongoing development of relations between the autonomous region and central government.
