The Madrid regional government faces scrutiny after buying an attic for €6.3 million. Feijóo insists the purchase must be justified, as the property cannot be used as an office. The sale follows public outcry and legal complaints.
The controversy surrounding the Madrid regional government’s purchase of a luxury attic in Chamberí for €6.3 million has intensified, with Partido Popular leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo calling for a clear explanation from the region’s Patrimonio department. The property, initially acquired as a temporary office space during renovations at the Real Casa de Correos, cannot legally be used for that purpose, raising questions about the decision-making process and the use of public funds.
Feijóo, speaking in an interview with Europa Press, stated that he was aware since April that the regional government was searching for a location to relocate the president’s secretariat and cabinet during the planned works at the Puerta del Sol headquarters. However, he emphasized that the responsibility for justifying the purchase lies with Patrimonio de la Comunidad, which must clarify why a property unsuitable for office use was selected.
The issue gained public attention after EL PAÍS revealed the details of the transaction. In response to the backlash, the government led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso put the attic back on the market, now asking €6.7 million. Officials claim the proceeds will help fund reconstruction efforts in the Sierra Oeste, an area hit by wildfires over the summer.
Feijóo described being invited to an informal meeting in April, where he was told about the need for temporary relocation due to building maintenance issues, including plumbing and air conditioning failures. Despite these explanations, the lack of transparency around the purchase has fueled speculation about the real intentions behind acquiring the five-bedroom, six-bathroom property with panoramic views. Some sources suggest it was considered as a potential official residence for the presidency, though this has not been confirmed.
Legal and regulatory barriers further complicate the situation. The building’s regulations prohibit its use as office space, and it is also unsuitable as an official residence. The purchase was made by Planifica Madrid, a public company under the regional Patrimonio umbrella, on April 14. Notably, the transaction was not listed on the transparency portal or in the company’s annual accounts. The day after the scandal broke, the property was listed for sale at a higher price. Meanwhile, Ayuso’s partner, Alberto González Amador, also put his own attic in the same neighborhood up for sale.
The legal dimension escalated when lawyer Javier Flores filed a complaint with the Tribunal de Cuentas, alleging possible misuse of public funds. He argues that the justification for the purchase—renovation works—was invalid, as the contract for those works was only awarded on August 7, nearly four months after the attic was bought, and without a public tender.
Planifica Madrid, the entity at the center of the controversy, has a complex history. Established in 1991 and previously known as Ciudad de la Imagen de Madrid S.A., Arproma, and Obras de Madrid, it manages public assets and infrastructure projects for the region. The company is the successor to Arpegio, a public land developer linked to past corruption investigations, including the high-profile Púnica case. Since 2022, Planifica Madrid has operated under its current name, with a board led by Miguel Ángel García Martín, a close ally of Ayuso, and Pedro Corbalán Ruiz as CEO since July 2023.
Despite the mounting questions, Planifica Madrid has not issued any public statements beyond managing the resale of the attic. Only García Martín and Ayuso have commented, and only when directly asked. The lack of transparency and the sequence of events have kept the issue in the spotlight, with calls for accountability continuing as the property remains unsold.
In Spain, public scrutiny of government real estate transactions has grown in recent years, especially when large sums and high-profile officials are involved. The case highlights the importance of transparency in public asset management and the potential consequences when procedures are not clearly followed. As the investigation progresses, the outcome may influence future oversight of regional government spending and the operations of public companies like Planifica Madrid.
