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Deloitte: Spain’s Office Sector Gets A Makeover

3 March 2017 – Expansión

The office markets in Madrid and Barcelona are getting ready to unveil their new image. They are preparing themselves to attract tenants that want not only good locations, but also new, high-quality products that meet the demands of today’s professionals.

At the end of 2016, the stock of offices in Madrid had a combined surface area of 12.9 million m2, whilst in Barcelona, the stock amounted to 5.9 million m2. Although still below the peaks seen before the crisis, the volume of new supply registered in Madrid and Barcelona grew by 56% during 2016 and the market is expected to recover over the next few years.

In this way, the office market will see more than 420,000 m2 of new office space opening up in these two cities between now and 2018, in addition to the 155,000 m2 of space that was added in 2016, thanks to new builds and renovations, according to a report compiled by Deloitte.

Projects underway

Specifically, this year, 180,000 m2 of new office space is expected to become available in Madrid, almost twice as much as last year. For example, Infinorsa, the main owner of Torre Europa, launched a complete overhaul of the building last year, following KPMG’s departure, which, until it moved to Torre de Cristal in March 2016, was the property’s main tenant.

The building – constructed in 1985 – is joining the league of smart skyscrapers, which are tailored to suit the needs of clients in the 21st century.

And just few metres away, on Paseo de la Castellana 77, the real estate group GMP is working on the complete renovation of Torre Ederra, with the renewal of its facilities and the transformation of all 18 of its floors.

What’s more, Madrid is not only renewing its existing supply, it is also welcoming new developments. One of the projects under construction is the property located on c/Estébanez Calderon, which is owned by Colonial. The building, which will have a surface area of just over 10,000 m2, is due be completed in the second half of 2017.

Colonial has also launched another construction project in the business district of Madrid, Specifically, the property located on Príncipe de Vergara will have a surface area of 11,300 m2 and 109 parking spaces.

Also in the capital, the family office Mazabi is restoring a building. The property located on Calle Velázquez 123 has a surface area of 2,346 m2 and benefits from a prime location in the heart of the Salamanca neighbourhood. Meanwhile, Mapfre is renovating a property on Plaza de la Independencia. The building, acquired in July 2015 from the Mutualidad Notarial for €82 million, has a total surface area of 12,000 m2, of which 4,000 m2 corresponds to three underground parking floors with more than 100 parking spaces.

In the same way, Barcelona is also reactivating its new office supply in response to the lack of available space.

According to Deloitte’s report, in addition to the six construction and renovation projects that were launched in 2016, the Catalan Capital expects to see two new projects in 2017, covering a surface area of 37,000 m2 and eight new projects in 2018, covering a surface area of 93,000 m2.

Amongst the new developments underway, the Castellví Group has initiated the construction of a new business complex on the corner of Calles Tánger and Badajoz in the 22@ district. (…).

Also in Barcelona, Colonial has launched a project next to Plaza de las Glòries and adjacent to Avenida Diagonal. (…).

Original story: Expansión (by Rebeca Arroyo)

Translation: Carmel Drake