A luxury penthouse for Ayuso: the Community of Madrid buys her a "temporary office" of 485 meters
The property, in the Chamberí neighborhood and with a large terrace, could be around 6 million euros, according to 'El País'
BarcelonaThe Community of Madrid has purchased a 485-square-meter penthouse as a "temporary office" for Isabel Díaz Ayuso, according to published this Wednesday El País. The property, located in the residential neighborhood of Chamberí and including a 199-square-meter terrace, will be used by the Madrid president "during the renovation" of the Royal House of Correos, the seat of the regional government, according to the version given to the aforementioned newspaper by a spokesperson for the Madrid executive. The opposition has already requested explanations.
Ayuso's government has admitted that the acquisition of the apartment, which was not advertised nor included in any budget or transparency portal, was made in mid-April by Planifica Madrid, the public company that manages the Community's land, but it does not clarify how much it cost. According to the investigations of the Prisa group's newspaper, a penthouse with these characteristics is valued between four and six million euros.
The same information indicates that the penthouse is on the ninth floor of a residential building with no offices on Paseo del General Martínez Campos, next to the Sorolla Museum and Paseo de la Castellana, and states that the seller has been the economist and writer Astrid Gil-Casares, who is also the ex-wife of the president of Ferrovial, Rafael del Pino Calvo-Sotelo, one of the richest men in Spain. The article states that at the time of purchase by the Madrid government, the apartment was rented to a couple.
The official explanations provided do not clarify whether Ayuso will also live in the property and are limited to explaining that she will work there "with a minimal team" while the works at the headquarters of her executive are ongoing, which "will begin in August". However, El País maintains that this building concluded renovation works on its facade last year. The regional government also does not clarify why renting an apartment was not chosen instead of buying it, considering its supposed temporary use.
The Madrid opposition has already rushed to demand explanations. "Millions of euros from all Madrid residents for the use and enjoyment of Ms. Ayuso," criticized the minister and socialist candidate for the Community, Óscar López, via X, from where he also questioned that an office would require a 200-meter terrace. "Today they must explain how, how much, why, and for what reason," he added. "How he mocks everyone," added the also minister Óscar Puente on the same network, referring to Ayuso.
For their part, Més Madrid have delved into the president's real estate controversies. "Ayuso's third penthouse in Chamberí. This one is not paid for by Quirón, we all pay for it. Including a 200 square meter terrace 'to receive visits as president,' he says," tweeted the spokesperson for the formation in the Assembly, Manuela Bergerot.
The precedent: the use of an advisor to find an apartment
The controversy comes after in April – when the penthouse was acquired – Eldiario.es already revealed that Ayuso had used a Community advisor to search for and buy a new flat in Madrid. This is Álvaro Sanz, head of office for the Madrid presidency secretariat, and he was in charge of contacts with the representatives of at least one property, arranging viewings of the property, and even negotiating the purchase price.
In this case, the objective was a flat also in the Chamberí neighborhood of about 100 square meters and an asking price of 850,000 euros. The Madrid president visited it last December and January, first alone and then with her partner, Alberto González Amador, although ultimately the purchase – for which her advisor would also have negotiated – did not materialize.