Madrid’s regional government bought a luxury penthouse in Chamberí for temporary office use. President Isabel Díaz Ayuso denies it is for personal residence. The purchase was not included in the official budget.
The Madrid regional government’s acquisition of a 485-square-metre luxury penthouse in Chamberí has drawn sharp attention after President Isabel Díaz Ayuso publicly defended the purchase, insisting the property will serve only as a temporary office. The transaction, which was not initially disclosed in the annual budget, has become a focal point for questions about transparency and the use of public funds in one of the capital’s most expensive districts.
Ayuso addressed the controversy during a press appearance at Sol, where she was also managing the ongoing wildfire crisis. She firmly rejected claims that the penthouse was intended as her personal residence, stating that no property had been bought for her own use. According to Ayuso, the space is meant for holding meetings while the Real Casa de Correos undergoes renovation work scheduled to begin in August. She described the arrangement as a logical solution given the temporary disruption to the government’s main headquarters.
The purchase, made on April 14 by Planifica Madrid—the public company responsible for managing government offices and public land—was only revealed after journalists uncovered the transaction in the Property Registry. The market value of such a penthouse in Chamberí is estimated at around six million euros. The government’s spokesperson and Presidency Councillor, Miguel Ángel García Martín, heads the agency, but the investment was not listed in this year’s official spending plan.
Following the news, a close source to Ayuso clarified that the final decision on using the penthouse as an office has not been made. Renovation work on the property is planned, and a decision about relocating staff or meetings will be taken in October or November. The same source emphasized that there are no plans to convert the penthouse into a presidential residence.
Ayuso also criticized what she described as a campaign to discredit her leadership, particularly as the region faces the aftermath of destructive wildfires. She expressed frustration at having to respond to allegations about the property purchase while residents are dealing with the loss of their homes. The timing of the revelation—three and a half months after the acquisition—has added to the scrutiny, especially since the information only surfaced after direct questions from the press.
This is not the first time the Madrid government’s real estate decisions have come under public examination. Earlier, a previous report highlighted the secrecy surrounding the penthouse deal and the lack of budgetary transparency. Such cases have fueled ongoing debates about oversight and the allocation of public resources in the region.
For context, the Real Casa de Correos is the historic seat of the Madrid regional government, and its renovation is expected to temporarily displace key administrative functions. The Chamberí district, known for its high property values and central location, has become a symbol of both prestige and controversy in this case. The episode underscores the challenges regional governments face in balancing operational needs with public accountability, especially when significant sums are involved and communication is delayed.
