The Duke of Alba converts 75 flats into tourist apartments in the centro de Madrid

The Duke of Alba and his son plan to turn 75 flats on the corner of Manuel and Duque de Liria streets into tourist apartments. Tenants have received notices saying that their contracts will not be renewed “for technical and refurbishment reasons”, and they have been asked to leave the flats in the coming months. At present, the properties range from 45 to 90 square metres, and rents are between €1,000 and €1,500, below market value.

The Alba family already carried out a similar operation at the Liria palace in 2024, for which the city council had to approve a special urban planning scheme.

The initiative provoked a strong reaction from politicians. The Urban Planning delegate, Borja Carabante, described it as a “fundamental right” of property owners, while the Más Madrid group accused the family of speculative evictions: according to Rita Maestre, it involves the eviction of more than 75 families who have lived there for decades.

The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, stressed that the lawful management of property is a right of owners and must be respected regardless of surname. He also recalled the UGT project to turn its former headquarters into a luxury hotel and proposed using it for social housing.

The Alba family's operation once again raises in Madrid the question of housing affordability and the gentrification of the city centre.