The Community of Madrid has purchased a 485-square-metre penthouse in Chamberí for Isabel Díaz Ayuso’s use during the Real Casa de Correos renovation. The deal, kept quiet for months, was not included in the official budget.
The Community of Madrid has quietly acquired a 485-square-metre penthouse in Chamberí, one of Madrid’s most exclusive districts, to serve as a temporary office for regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso. The purchase, made in April but only confirmed after inquiries from EL PAÍS, was not disclosed in the official budget and only came to light after the transaction appeared in the Property Registry.
According to a government spokesperson, Ayuso will use the property with a minimal team while the Real Casa de Correos, the traditional seat of the presidency, undergoes rehabilitation works starting in August. However, the spokesperson declined to clarify whether Ayuso intends to reside in the penthouse, the exact purchase price, or why the acquisition was kept confidential instead of opting for a rental. The nature of the planned works at the Real Casa de Correos also remains unclear, as its facade restoration was completed last year.
The penthouse, located on the ninth floor of a residential building on Paseo del General Martínez Campos, was purchased by Planifica Madrid, the regional agency responsible for managing public real estate. The agency, led by government spokesperson Miguel Ángel García Martín, did not include this investment in its 2026 budget, which otherwise details property sales and new construction projects. No additional credit extension was approved by the regional government for this purchase, and Planifica Madrid failed to report the acquisition on its transparency portal, last updated on July 20.
Market estimates suggest the penthouse could be worth around six million euros, given its size and location. The property features a 199-square-metre terrace and is situated near the Museo Sorolla and just 300 metres from Paseo de la Castellana. The seller, according to sources familiar with the deal, was economist and writer Astrid Gil-Casares. The building is known for its aristocratic residents, and none of its apartments are currently used as offices.
The purchase stands out not only for its scale but also for the lack of transparency. Planifica Madrid owns ten entire office buildings and a commercial space, most of which are historic properties in central Madrid leased to various regional departments. The agency is the successor to Arpegio, a public company previously embroiled in the high-profile Púnica corruption case, which is still before the courts. The current CEO, Pedro Corbalán Ruiz, was appointed in July 2023 and has held various roles in previous Popular Party administrations.
While the exact price remains undisclosed, calculations based on the local price per square metre in the Almagro area suggest a base value of 4.5 million euros, with the penthouse’s large terrace likely pushing the total closer to six million. Real estate experts note that penthouses of this size and with such expansive terraces are extremely rare in Chamberí, with similar properties listed between five and seven million euros.
The lack of public disclosure and the decision to purchase rather than rent have drawn attention, especially as the expenditure was not anticipated in the agency’s financial planning. The property’s previous tenants were a couple, and the building’s registry office refused to confirm the seller’s identity without a direct, legitimate interest, though sources indicate it was Gil-Casares, formerly married to one of Spain’s wealthiest businessmen.
This case echoes broader concerns about transparency and public spending in Spain’s real estate sector. For example, recent redevelopment projects in other major cities, such as the overhaul of Barcelona’s Montjuïc fairgrounds, have also sparked debate over public investment and disclosure practices. Details on that initiative can be found in coverage of Barcelona’s fast-tracked Montjuïc redevelopment.
In the context of Madrid’s property market, Chamberí remains one of the most expensive and sought-after districts, with limited supply of large, high-end apartments. The decision to allocate public funds for a luxury penthouse, especially without prior budget approval or public notice, highlights ongoing challenges in balancing administrative needs with transparency and fiscal responsibility. As the region prepares for the upcoming renovation of the Real Casa de Correos, scrutiny over government real estate decisions is likely to intensify.
