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Date Published: 27/08/2025

Cartagena city centre will soon look very different as redevelopment projects slowly reshape the old town

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Tourism-focused building projects on derelict plots are slowly beginning to change the cityscape

Cartagena city centre will soon look very different as redevelopment projects slowly reshape the old town

The city centre of Cartagena is currently undergoing a buzz of construction activity on many of its empty plots of land, which for years have been overgrown with vegetation and whose façades have slowly been deteriorating.

Recent building licences and construction work in the old town have been directed primarily towards tourism-related projects, underlining that the main impetus for development in this part of the city continues to be linked to visitors rather than long-term residential use.

In the Plaza José María Artés, construction is under way on 13 new homes, garages and storage rooms on a site that has sat abandoned for decades after the demolition of decayed buildings.

Although the licence was issued almost two years ago, the first works only began two months ago, with ground preparation, concrete pouring and pillar erection now taking place beside the Town Hall and neighbouring hotel.

The City Council has begun applying its Land Law to accelerate the processing of derelict plots, and results are starting to show. Just a couple of months ago, it reported that owners of 25 of the 41 sites subject to compulsory sale proceedings (over 60%) had submitted licence applications.

These projects would bring a total of 170 homes, commercial premises, car parks and a 97-room student residence to the historic centre. Many of these plots had remained stalled for years until their owners opted to apply for building permission before the Council placed them up for auction.

Modernisation of the lift on Calle Gisbert

In addition, this Thursday August 28, the Governing Board of Cartagena City Council approves a project to upgrade the panoramic lift on Calle Gisbert, which connects with the Parque Torres. Earlier this year, the council announced an investment of €62,000, to be jointly funded by the City Council and the Region of Murcia government.

Since opening in 2004, the lift has carried almost 2 million people up to La Concepción. It is one of the main landmarks of Cartagena Puerto de Culturas, offering access from Calle Gisbert to the Parque Torres and the Castillo de la Concepción castle, as well as being integrated with the Civil War shelter museum.

The planned improvements focus on safety, such as the installation of a new infrared ‘curtain system’ to prevent the lift doors from closing while someone is entering, and stainless steel fasteners and screws for the large metal tower to reinforce its structure.

Images: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena

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