Overview
- The Madrid city council suspended the demolition and works license on January 13 for the buildings at Calle de Cabestreros 1 and 3 and requested guidance from the Community of Madrid’s Directorate-General of Historical Heritage.
- PSOE urbanism spokesman Antonio Giraldo filed a complaint with the Madrid Prosecutor’s Office seeking an urgent halt, citing evidence the structures likely predate 1752 and may appear in the 1656 Teixeira map.
- On Wednesday morning, crews were seen dismantling the roof and removing debris despite the announced suspension, with Más Madrid publishing video and Giraldo saying an inspector and municipal police were sent to the site.
- The properties were bought for €3.5 million by promoter Javier González for a 288-bed capsule-hostel to be managed by SmartRental and developed by Urbex Arquitectura, including shared bunk cubicles and a rooftop terrace.
- Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida noted the buildings are not listed in the city’s protection catalog, while neighbors warn partial tear-down could degrade the structures as the case is reviewed within the city’s BIC-designated Historic Ensemble.