Madrid, December 16 – The Ministry of Industry and Tourism, through Turespaña, has officially authorized the tender for the public works concession contract to rehabilitate, adapt, and operate the Madrid Congress Palace. Located on the prestigious Paseo de la Castellana, the iconic venue has been closed since 2012, awaiting a comprehensive plan for its revival.
Reactivating a Landmark: A Strategic Move for Madrid
The Ministry published the tender on the Public Sector Procurement Platform today, marking a significant step in the institutional strategy to reactivate the complex. This initiative is designed to reposition the palace as a focal point for tourist, economic, and international cooperation activities within the capital.
The concession specifically targets buildings A and C, which are slated to maintain their original function as spaces for exhibitions and congresses. The overarching goal, as articulated by the Ministry in an official note, is to “restore the Palace to the central role it played for decades in the capital’s congressional life.”
Concession Details: A 40-Year Commitment and €105.7 Million Investment
Under the terms of the tender, the successful bidder will be responsible for drafting the execution project, undertaking the necessary construction works, and managing both the Congress Palace and its associated car park for a period of 40 years. This extensive concession also mandates the payment of an annual fee to Turespaña.
The allocated timeframe for the project includes 12 months for the detailed project drafting and an additional 36 months for the execution of the construction works. The estimated budget for the entire project, encompassing both the construction and subsequent management phases, stands at a substantial 105.7 million euros.
The chosen formula, a public works concession, strategically transfers the responsibility of financing, executing, and maintaining the required works, as well as the subsequent management and exploitation of the venue, to the concessionaire for the entire concession period. The Ministry emphasizes that this model promotes “responsible use of public assets,” mobilizes private investment, and ensures “efficient, sustainable, and public service-oriented” management.
Turespaña, however, retains certain rights, reserving the possibility to utilize the entire building for its own activities for a maximum of five days per year, with an additional five days reserved for partial use.
A Multi-Functional Complex: Six Key Areas Post-Rehabilitation
Upon completion of the rehabilitation, the concessionaire will operate a complex organized into six distinct areas:
- Convention Center (Building A): The primary space for large-scale conferences and events.
- Complementary Office and Workspace Area (Building C): Designed to host offices and professional workspaces.
- Back Office Services (Building D): Dedicated to supporting services and operational functions.
- Exhibition Halls Under the Garden (Building E): Providing additional space for exhibitions and displays.
- Exterior Urbanization of Plaza de Joan Miró: Enhancing the surrounding public space.
- Underground Car Park: Offering essential parking facilities for visitors.
From a budgetary perspective, the Ministry asserts that the contract does not entail direct expenditure for the Administration, as it does not generate financial commitments. The annual fee has been meticulously calculated based on a Feasibility Study, taking into account construction costs, maintenance expenses, and projected revenues.
A Long-Awaited Return: Addressing a Decade of Demand
Inaugurated in 1970, the Congress Palace served as one of Spain’s premier event venues for decades, hosting international congresses, exhibitions, and institutional events. Its closure in 2012, due to safety concerns, sparked recurring demands for its reopening from the cultural, tourism, and business sectors.
The current recovery efforts for buildings A and C complement the ongoing works in Building B, which is being prepared to house the future permanent headquarters of UN Tourism (formerly the UNWTO). Through this comprehensive revitalization of the Castellana complex, Turespaña aims to “strengthen Spain’s role as a reference center in global and congressional tourism.”
This significant investment and strategic rehabilitation are poised to bring the Madrid Congress Palace back to life, re-establishing its prominence as a vital hub for events, fostering economic growth, and enhancing Madrid’s global standing.
Source: https://www.epe.es/es/madrid/20251216/nueva-vida-palacio-congresos-madrid-ministerio-industria-luz-verde-rehabilitacion-124841641
