The regulatory pressure on Maspalomas's outdated tourist infrastructure is not merely theoretical; its most dramatic consequences lie at the very foundation of the complexes' structures. The historic Paraíso Maspalomas apartment building, over half a century old, is now under municipal scrutiny following unlicensed construction work that has directly affected its load-bearing pillars—an alarm that resonates far beyond the dunes.
According to Canarias 7, the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council, through its Urban Planning Enforcement Department, has issued an urgent report calling for a thorough review of the structure of the eight-story building with over 400 apartments, which are already occupied. The origin of the problem lies in the basement of the Paraíso complex, specifically in a private space that formerly housed the cafeteria. The developer carried out internal demolitions—including partitions, flooring, and deep trenches—without any permits. The residents, who alerted the council, are concerned about the removal of several concrete pillars, which exposed part of their reinforcement.
Although the municipal technician, after the inspection on October 27, did not find "any significant cracks," structural concerns are extremely high. The technical report warns that the exposed concrete of the pillars was removed without the adoption of "additional reinforcement measures to compensate for any structural safety deficiencies." Furthermore, the trenches pose a risk of accidents and threaten the main sewage system.
In an area subject to the strict European Union building and safety regulations (Eurocodes), the fact that construction work with the potential to impact the load-bearing capacity of an eight-story building can be carried out illegally is a serious failure in the chain of supervision. The measure imposed by the City Council is forceful, but belated: it requires the developer to remove the debris and, crucially, to assess the serviceability of the structure and, if necessary, to shore up the supports to ensure safety.
This incident is not just a dispute between homeowners' associations; it's a reminder that the pressure to renovate tourist accommodation under European guidelines (such as the EPBD) must be accompanied by strict urban planning regulations. The image of a premium destination like Maspalomas cannot afford to have structural risk become a public threat due to inaction or non-compliance with local regulations. The focus now is on the speed and decisiveness with which the authorities will enforce the repairs and ensure the building's integrity.
