Marbella’s 5-Star Hotel Project Halted After Seven Years
The Junta has withdrawn its final approval for a new 5-star hotel in Marbella, despite the project being in progress for seven years. The luxury hotel, known as ‘Las Dunas Club’, is part of the W hotel chain and has been under development since 2016. The project was initially approved by the then-mayor, Jose Bernal.
Location and Development of the Luxury Venue
The upscale venue was planned to be situated on the Real de Zaragoza beach. The project’s commencement followed the Partido Popular government’s decision to modify the 1986 General Urban Development Plan (PGUO) after coming to power in 2018.
Green Light Turned Red for the New Hotel Complex
The new hotel complex was given the go-ahead in January 2022. However, despite provisional approval, the Junta has now halted the project. The Andalucian Government has supported this decision, which was made on October 23, 2023, by government advisors.
Reasons for the Suspension of the Project
According to an official statement, the Junta suspended the plans due to a significant lack of information that needs to be rectified. This includes a justification for why the project should be exempt from providing 30% affordable housing in its residential development. Developers will also need to explain their plans to regenerate a 60-metre-long strip of dunes that the hotel will cover, among other changes to comply with local planning laws.
Next Steps for the Developers
Following the Junta’s decision, developers now have to correct the issues or file a complaint. The €300m investment was made by Hong Kong-based Platinum Estates, led by Harry Mohinani. The hotel was originally set to open its doors in 2021, after becoming part of the Junta’s accelerated growth plan for ‘Projects of Strategic Interest’.
