Planifica Madrid bought a luxury penthouse for Ayuso’s temporary office while a similar-sized office stood empty. The purchase triggered controversy over transparency and necessity. The government’s explanations remain under scrutiny.
Planifica Madrid, a public company owned by the city, spent €6.3 million on a luxury penthouse in Chamberí for Isabel Díaz Ayuso’s temporary office, even though it already owned a vacant office of nearly the same size just steps from Plaza de Castilla. This detail, uncovered by EL PAÍS, has raised new questions about why the penthouse was needed and how the purchase was handled.
The unused office, at Pedro Moreno 3, measures 478 square meters—just seven less than the penthouse. It sits on a busy pedestrian street across from the Plaza de Castilla courts. Built in 1989, the property has seven offices, three bathrooms, and shared spaces. Planifica Madrid’s website lists it as ready for use, but it has been closed for years, its entrance covered by a grey gate and a sign with the company’s old name, Obras de Madrid.
After the EL PAÍS investigation, Madrid authorities publicly admitted that Ayuso or a member of her team only visited the Chamberí penthouse after the purchase was completed, not before.
When news of the penthouse purchase broke in July, the regional government said it was needed as a temporary office for Ayuso and a small team during unannounced renovations at the presidency’s Sol headquarters. Officials have not explained why the existing office was ignored. As of publication, the presidency’s spokesperson had not answered questions about this choice.
Planifica Madrid manages 12 properties, including historic buildings used by six ministries, the former home of poet Vicente Aleixandre, and a business center in Fuenlabrada. The Chamberí penthouse is the only residential property in its portfolio. The Pedro Moreno office was previously used for processing building rehabilitation grants but has mostly sat empty, except for a brief period when it was reportedly rented to an events company. Neighbors remember seeing activity last winter, including people dressed as the Three Kings, but the space soon went quiet again.
Official records show the Pedro Moreno office is still owned by the Community of Madrid, though it is registered under the housing agency Ivima. Planifica Madrid’s 2024 annual report mentioned plans to sell the property, but it remains listed as available for sale or rent, with a promotional video highlighting its location near the future Madrid Nuevo Norte financial district.
According to Spanish media citing city regulations, the Chamberí penthouse cannot legally be used as a full office or public service space, but only as a limited professional office linked to residential use. This legal ambiguity has fueled further skepticism about the official justification for the purchase.
The government says it has given enough explanation for the penthouse purchase, but the deal was kept secret until EL PAÍS reported it on July 29. The required public contract file has not been published, so basic details remain undisclosed. The official reason—that the penthouse would serve as a temporary office—has been questioned, since city rules do not allow converting such homes into offices. The penthouse was put up for sale just 33 hours after the news broke, with proceeds promised for wildfire recovery, which only added to doubts about the original plan.
Opposition parties suspect the penthouse was meant to become a new official residence for Madrid’s presidents, pointing to Ayuso’s earlier comments about the need for such housing. In response to criticism, Ayuso released an email to OkDiario showing her recent rental contract for a different apartment, dated July 22, to counter speculation.
The issue is expected to dominate the next regional parliamentary debate, the first direct clash between Ayuso and the opposition since the story broke. The government’s handling of the penthouse purchase will likely remain under scrutiny, especially during the scheduled appearance of Planifica Madrid’s responsible minister, Miguel Ángel García Martín, on September 17.
Madrid’s real estate and political scene has faced similar attention in recent years, as reported earlier in the context of luxury property trends and public sector involvement.
The facts are clear: Planifica Madrid chose to leave a fully equipped office empty and instead bought a multimillion-euro penthouse, keeping the deal secret until it was exposed. The government’s shifting explanations and quick reversal have only deepened public mistrust. In a city where public resources and political credibility are closely watched, this episode has raised serious questions about accountability and the real reasons behind official decisions.
