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Alarms raised over the imminent demolition of a historic building in Palma

The Consell approved the protection of the façade and the original elements, but Cort maintains the demolition permit in force.

Unverified translation
The Gaspar Bennàssar building on 31 de diciembre street in Palma.
The Gaspar Bennàssar building on 31 de diciembre street in Palma. Isaac Buj
H.R.
15/09/2025
2 min

PalmThe Socialist group on the Consell de Mallorca (Mallorca Council) has submitted a formal request to the Department of Historical Heritage to halt the imminent demolition of the building designed by Gaspar Bennàssar in 1926 on Calle del 31 de Diciembre, on the corner of Antoni Marquès, in Palma.

Although the Technical Committee and the Island Heritage Commission approved its protection in January 2025—at least for the façade, tiles, and woodwork—the Palma City Council has not included the building in the municipal catalog, and the demolition license remains in effect.

The property owner wants to demolish the Bennàssar building on December 31st Street.
L'edifici del carrer 31 de Desembre, a Palma, pendent de demolició.

The Socialists accuse the PP of lack of interest and claim that the demolition would mean "the loss of architectural value and the identity of the Eixample neighborhood." The Modernist building is one of the 200 properties left without protection following the collapse of the last term's Detailed Planning Plan, they have criticized.

For his part, Socialist councilor Joan Ferrer does not understand "the inaction of the Consell de Mallorca in not demanding that the City Council comply with the mandate of the Heritage Commission and demand a halt to the demolition," when it could have acted ex officio.

Work has already begun on the interior of the Gaspar Bennàssar building.
Work has already begun on the interior of the Gaspar Bennàssar building. I.B.

On the other hand, the Socialist councilor of Cort, Pepe Martínez, explained that this building is "an example of the two hundred buildings that have been left unprotected due to the inaction of the Popular Party, which let the Detailed Development Plan of the General Plan approved last term fall."

ARCA considers the proposal to demolish the December 31 building and replicate the Bennàssar façade "unacceptable."
ARCA rebutja la intenció de demolir l'edifici de 31 de desembre

According to Martínez, "this term, the PP has only protected the fascist monument at Feixina and a building so it can be converted into a boutique hotel." "That's the PP's hallmark," the councilor concluded.

Building from 1926

The building, designed by architect Gaspar Bennàssar in 1926, is considered a prime example of the city's modernist architectural heritage. At the time, the heritage organization ARCA defended the external architectural values of the façade and other elements of the building, such as the hydraulic flooring and woodwork, before the Consell's Heritage Commission.

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