Madrid’s City Hall has given Casa Árabe until September 1 to leave Escuelas Aguirre. The move follows claims of severe building deterioration and criticism of past management. The city plans to reclaim and restore the landmark.
Madrid’s City Council has formally notified Casa Árabe that it must vacate its long-standing headquarters in the Escuelas Aguirre building on Calle de Alcalá by September 1. The decision, confirmed this week, ends nearly twenty years of Casa Árabe’s presence in the iconic site. City officials cite significant structural deterioration as the main reason for reclaiming the property, emphasizing the urgent need for restoration and maintenance work.
Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida has sharply criticized the institution’s previous management, particularly under former director Irene Lozano. According to the mayor, Casa Árabe’s financial troubles and neglect of building upkeep during Lozano’s tenure contributed directly to the current state of disrepair. He pointed to reports from the Tribunal de Cuentas as evidence of alleged mismanagement, arguing that the institution was left in a precarious financial position and that essential maintenance was ignored.
The city’s move comes after months of unsuccessful negotiations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which oversees Casa Árabe. Almeida accused the ministry, and specifically Minister Albares, of failing to engage on the issue. Although the original agreement allowed the city to reclaim the building with just 15 days’ notice, officials have extended the deadline to September 1 to allow Casa Árabe more time to relocate. However, the city has ruled out offering another municipal property as a replacement, though it has pledged to assist in the search for a new location.
City Hall maintains that the Escuelas Aguirre building now faces serious structural issues, which it attributes to years of insufficient maintenance. Officials also argue that Casa Árabe’s current scale of activity and staffing no longer justifies occupying such a prominent municipal asset. The city’s stated goal is to rehabilitate the building and eventually reopen it for broader public use, potentially as a cultural or municipal facility, though no final decision on its future function has been announced.
Almeida also raised concerns about a lack of transparency regarding the building’s condition, claiming that the city has not received detailed technical reports on the extent of the damage. He stressed that regaining possession is necessary to conduct a full inspection and develop a comprehensive restoration plan.
Casa Árabe, established in 2006 as a consortium involving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Madrid City Hall, and other public bodies, has played a key role in fostering dialogue between Spain and the Arab world. Despite the current dispute, the city continues to provide premises for other cultural institutions, such as Casa de América and Casa Asia, without similar management issues, according to Almeida.
Escuelas Aguirre is a protected historic building, recognized for its architectural and cultural value. Its future use remains under discussion, but city officials have signaled a preference for making it accessible to all Madrid residents. The case highlights ongoing challenges in managing public heritage sites and the importance of regular maintenance and oversight for such properties.
