The Spanish Government authorises work on the new UNWTO headquarters in Madrid

19-04-23

Yesterday, 18 March, the Council of Ministers authorised the conclusion of the contract for the remodelling and extension of building B of the Madrid Convention and Exhibition Centre, which is to become the new headquarters of the World Tourism Organisation. Specifically, the works will have an estimated value of 24,623,621.29 euros.

In view of this, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Héctor Gómez, has assured that "with today's authorisation we are taking a very important step towards the long-awaited reopening of this space, which is absolutely necessary for the economic and tourist development of Madrid".

The project consists of a complete interior reconfiguration of the existing volume to adapt it to the new uses, with interior demolition of partitions and installations. In addition, an additional third floor will be built with new structural elements to support the existing ones. A contemporary architectural language is sought, clearly but discreetly differentiated from the mural designed by Joan Miró. The roof will have skylights to facilitate natural lighting.

"A contemporary architectural language is sought that is clearly but discreetly different from the mural designed by Joan Miró", explained the Council of Ministers in a note, in which it added that the roof will have skylights to facilitate natural lighting.

An emblematic building in the city of Madrid

The Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones de Madrid was inaugurated in 1970 and consists of three buildings or volumes (A, B and C). It is attached to the Spanish Tourism Institute (Turespaña). In 1995, a serious fire caused the collapse of Auditorium B and the adjoining rooms located on the north façade. After the incident, the necessary work was undertaken to allow the rest of the building to function without proceeding with the reconstruction of the affected areas, which are still open and unused today.

The rest of the building continued in use until 2012, when it was decided to temporarily suspend activities, a decision motivated by a series of technical reports that determined that the safety requirements of the current regulations were not met. The suspension ceased to be temporary and became indefinite until all safety regulations were met.

Various feasibility studies have been carried out which suggest that part of the palace (buildings A and C) should be put out to tender through a public works concession to be used as a Congress and Exhibition Centre, while the other part, building B, could be ceded to the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) to house its new headquarters, which are currently located at Calle Poeta Joan Maragall 42.

On 25 March 2022, an international administrative agreement was signed between Spain and the UNWTO, by which Spain cedes building B of the Palacio de Congresos to the UNWTO for a period of 75 years, and assumes the rehabilitation of the building.