Más Madrid has formally asked the Tribunal de Cuentas to examine the Community of Madrid government’s purchase of a luxury penthouse in Chamberí. The party is seeking clarification on whether public funds were misused in the acquisition, which exceeded €6 million. The property, initially intended for use by Isabel Díaz Ayuso during the renovation of the Real Casa de Correos, was put up for sale shortly after the transaction became public.
In its complaint, Más Madrid argues that the purchase may have resulted in a loss of public assets and questions whether there was a genuine public need for such an expensive property. The penthouse is on the ninth floor of a residential building on Paseo del General Martínez Campos, in one of Madrid’s most exclusive districts, a short walk from the Museo Sorolla and close to Paseo de la Castellana. The seller was economist and writer Astrid Gil-Casares. At the time of the sale, tenants occupied the property.
The controversy intensified after EL PAÍS reported details of the purchase, prompting Planifica Madrid, the public company responsible for the acquisition, to list the penthouse for sale. Internal sources say the search criteria were highly specific: a luxury penthouse in Chamberí or nearby, measuring 250 to 400 square meters and featuring a large terrace. Those requirements closely matched the apartment Planifica Madrid ultimately bought.
Despite repeated questions, the regional government has not clarified who authorized the search for a property in Chamberí, an area closely associated with Ayuso, or why it chose a luxury real estate agency in La Moraleja, which specializes in exclusive residences rather than office space. The Ministry of the Presidency, which oversees Planifica Madrid, has also not explained the rationale behind these decisions.
Más Madrid’s submission to the Tribunal de Cuentas raises several concerns: the property may not have been necessary or suitable for public use, and additional expenses may have been unjustified. The party also warns that selling it for a price similar to the purchase cost, plus taxes and fees, could result in a financial loss. It calls for the disclosure of all reports related to the operation, arguing that the lack of a thorough assessment of the property’s suitability could have accounting implications.
The complaint does not claim that financial harm has already occurred. Instead, it asks the Tribunal to conduct its own investigation to determine whether public funds were lost. The Community of Madrid, meanwhile, maintains that the opposition is pursuing unfounded allegations and has requested that Miguel Ángel García Martín, the Minister of the Presidency and head of Planifica Madrid, appear before the Assembly to explain the purchase.
The case echoes other recent scrutiny of public-sector decisions in Spain. A previous investigation into hiring practices at the Diputación de Valencia, reported in a related case covered by russpain.com, also raised questions about the urgency and transparency of public spending, though investigators ultimately found no irregularities.
In Spain, the Tribunal de Cuentas oversees the legality and efficiency of public-sector financial management. Its investigations can lead to administrative or legal consequences if misuse of funds is confirmed. The outcome of Más Madrid’s complaint could set a precedent for scrutiny of similar property acquisitions by public bodies, particularly those involving large sums and high-profile officials.
