The redevelopment of Palma’s former prison has taken a new step forward. The Ajuntament has approved the preliminary project to transform the building into a professional residence with 139 endowment housing units for people who carry out their professional activity in the city.

The Junta de Govern has also given the green light to the procurement process for the drafting of the basic project and the execution project for the works, as well as for the site management and health and safety coordination.

Palma prison

Exterior view of the former prison. Photo: Ajuntament de Palma.

According to the spokesperson for the governing team, Mercedes Celeste, “with this agreement we are taking another step towards making a strategic initiative a reality, one that will allow us to continue expanding Palma’s housing stock and offer housing solutions adapted to current needs“.

The approval of the preliminary project comes after the Ajuntament regained full possession of the property following the completion of the repossession process launched in recent months. Last week, the people occupying the building were evicted, in an operation backed by a court ruling that allowed the council to move forward with the transformation of the former prison.

From student residence to endowment housing

The future of Palma’s former prison has undergone several changes in recent years. In September 2023, the governing team ruled out the student residence project linked to the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) and announced its intention to allocate the site to public housing.

At the time, the councillor for Urban Planning, Housing and Strategic Projects, Óscar Fidalgo, said there was no signed agreement or guaranteed funding to develop the university residence initially planned. The Ajuntament argued then that building homes was a better response to the city’s current needs. More information at this link.

Almost three years later, the project is taking shape as a residence that will house 139 endowment housing units for specific professional groups working in Palma.

A building marked by safety problems

The condition of the building had caused growing concern in recent years. Last March, Emaya removed more than 71 tonnes of waste accumulated inside the site during an intensive clean-up operation aimed at reducing the risks of fire and insanitary conditions.

According to municipal figures, since the start of the legislature emergency services have carried out more than 300 interventions related to the former prison, including actions by the Policia Local and Bombers de Palma. More information at this link.