The new GESA building will be finished by the end of 2029 and will include more green areas

PalmaThe remodeling of the GESA building will be finished by the end of 2029 "if action is taken with diligence." This was explained this Friday by one of the architects responsible for the project, Antonio Cruz, during the presentation of the proposal at a press conference held in the vicinity of the building itself, with the presence of the mayor, Jaime Martínez, and other authorities. The project provides for minimal intervention and more green areas.

The firm Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos won the ideas competition last June for the rehabilitation of the old Gesa building and the transformation of its surroundings. The project, budgeted at 76.5 million euros, plans to convert this space on Palma's seafront into a large cultural and innovation facility, with the city's future central library, an auditorium, and various spaces for cultural and business activities.

During the press conference, Cruz explained that his intention "is to maintain the current appearance of the building with minimal changes" and connect it to its surroundings. "Currently, the building's situation is very isolated. It has always been a very individualized building," he remarked. In this sense, he explained that the work extends from the building itself to the Pocoyó park.

The project affects an area of about 30,000 square meters. The proposal suggests recovering the old Gesa building, closed for 15 years, and allocating it to different uses. The first and second floors will house the future central library of Palma, while the third and fourth will be destined for the Municipal Institute of the Arts. The building will also incorporate shared workspaces, business incubators, and facilities linked to the Palma Culture & Innovation Bay project.

Furthermore, Cruz explained that during this new phase it is necessary to "reflect on several things", such as the distance of the building from the road or the state of the accesses, which have been reduced and deteriorated, over time respectively.

The mural by Lluís Castaldo

Cruz also explained that creating an exhibition area is perhaps "not the most appropriate," because part of the facade would have to be changed to achieve an enclosed environment while attempting to "make modifications that are in favor of the building." In addition, he also said that the suitability of the locations of the ceramic mural designed by Lluís Castaldo and the large lamp by José Ferragut should be studied.

Furthermore, Cruz has rejected the criticisms regarding the loss of green space. According to him, the space will be converted into a green area distributed over two levels. "There will be no loss of green area; the project contemplates maintaining and expanding it," he asserted. In fact, he remarked that, regarding the proposed detailed study, the possibility of building two new buildings has been eliminated. A reduction in the size of the initially planned underground parking or the installation of glass panels to take advantage of solar energy in the cladding has also been proposed.

For his part, the mayor explained that "with this intervention, they want Palma to be a benchmark in the Mediterranean for innovation and culture." The project also includes an auditorium, new exhibition spaces, a panoramic terrace for cultural activities, and an energy interpretation center. "This is where the electricity of Palma and Mallorca was born," remarked Martínez. Outside, the project foresees the creation of a large public square facing the sea.

One of the largest elements is the construction of an underground parking lot with a capacity for 960 vehicles. New pedestrian connections between Carrer de Joan Maragall and the Ma-19 are also proposed, as well as actions to improve the surrounding cycling network.