Bold claim: Palma’s GESA Building is on track to redefine the city’s skyline, not just fade into decline. But here’s where it gets controversial: the building many call an eyesore could become Palma’s next iconic centerpiece.
From inside the GESA Building | Photo: Miquel À. Cañellas
Andrew Ede Palma19/02/2026 09:05
When you visit, you notice details you won’t catch in photos. That sentiment came from one of roughly twenty architects who toured Palma’s GESA Building on Wednesday. A lot of people form negative impressions from images or from observing a structure that tends to provoke a strong reaction: it’s not pretty, it should be torn down.
But the architects see it differently. They are all contenders in a high-caliber competition to reinvent the building. One participant described the event as “a competition of the highest calibre,” and spoke about gaining direct, up-close appreciation of both the exterior and interior of a structure that is widely regarded as a 1960s icon of commercial architecture (even though it officially opened in the following decade).
Another architect praised Mallorcan designer Josep Ferragut, calling the building an architectural landmark with a bright future for the city, regardless of some residents’ opinions. “It’s a privilege to work on this competition. Restoring this building would be wonderful.”
The group comprised architects from Spain and abroad, reflecting an international competition for a landmark civic project. The plan envisions redeveloping 30,000 square meters, with the GESA Building as the centerpiece of Palma’s Culture & Innovation Bay. The target completion is by 2031, aligning with Palma’s aspiration to be named European Capital of Culture that year.
The building holds listed-status protections, meaning several elements must be preserved. In terms of uses, designers have latitude for proposals covering 20% of the space. The remaining space will be allocated roughly evenly between administrative and cultural/social functions. The project’s total budget stands at 91 million euros.
The submission deadline for architect proposals is approaching quickly, set for April 1st.
