Madrid CapitalNorte MetropolitanoEste MetropolitanoSur MetropolitanoOeste MetropolitanoSierra NorteNordeste ComunidadSudeste ComunidadSudoeste ComunidadSierra SurSierra CentralZona NorteZona SurZona OesteCorredor del HenaresSierra de MadridMadrid CapitalNorte MetropolitanoEste MetropolitanoSur MetropolitanoOeste MetropolitanoSierra NorteNordeste ComunidadSudeste ComunidadSudoeste ComunidadSierra SurSierra CentralZona NorteZona SurZona OesteCorredor del HenaresSierra de Madrid
ES|EN
La Voz de Madrid logo

La Voz de Madrid

Judicial Halt to Baobab Building Demolition in Madrid

The TSJM halts construction works due to the possibility of buildings having high historical value, contradicting previous reports.

Facade of a historic building in Madrid with scaffolding and construction barriers.
IA

Facade of a historic building in Madrid with scaffolding and construction barriers.

The Superior Court of Justice of Madrid has temporarily halted the demolition of the Baobab building and its associated hotel project, admitting urgent interim measures.

The Superior Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) has ordered the suspension of construction and demolition works for the building known as Baobab, located at Calle Cabestreros, numbers 1 and 3. This decision follows the admission of urgent interim measures requested by the PSOE and various heritage defense associations, citing the possibility that the properties hold significant historical value.
A recent expert report contradicts the resolution issued in late May by the Community of Madrid, which had dismissed any form of protection for these buildings. That resolution had previously greenlit the demolition to make way for a 260-bed hotel, a project now put on hold.
Socialist councilor Antonio Giraldo announced the judicial halt, explaining that while the ruling is temporary, it provides crucial time to demonstrate alleged inconsistencies in the regional government's decision. The PSOE suspects the resolution might be based on a biased report prepared by the hotel's development company.
The hotel project had previously received a favorable demolition opinion in 2022 from the Commission for the Protection of Historical, Artistic, and Natural Heritage of the Madrid City Council, based on the absence of protectable elements. However, an earlier complaint by the PSOE and citizen associations at the start of the demolition works, just after last Christmas, had already halted the work initially.
At that time, the Madrid City Council consulted the General Directorate of Heritage of the Community of Madrid, leading to a temporary suspension. The Community of Madrid had then stated it would consider environmental protection for the building, but this protection ultimately did not materialize. The Ministry of Culture argued that the buildings had undergone significant alterations since their origin, dating their construction to the mid-19th century rather than the 17th or 18th centuries.
Antonio Giraldo had previously described the lack of protection as a "disastrous piece of news for Madrid's heritage," warning of "contradictory data" and "inconsistent dates" in the Community of Madrid's resolution.

Related News