"Without ITS, purchasing Sa Tanca would never have been possible"

What exactly is Sa Tanca and how did it come to be public property?

This building began as a small shopping centre, although on the same site there was once a space for parties and events, also called Sa Tanca. The project failed to take off, the crisis left it half-finished and it passed between different hands until it was purchased by a fund. Finally, here at the Town Council we decided to buy it and make it public property, with the help of the ITS. Now, it’s a reality: the cost was advanced by the Town Council, and just now in 2025 we’ve collected it from the Balearic Government.

How could the building be used?

When the purchase was approved, the financing was subject to various conditions such as making tourism less seasonal. This means it can’t be used for housing, which is what Sant Lluís really needs. Right now, for me, the most useful thing it has to offer are the two levels of parking, which are yet to be completed.

What challenges are there in refurbishing it?

A while ago, we applied for another grant to refurbish it, but it was rejected because energy efficiency improvements weren’t included. Completing the car park alone would cost over a million euros, which the Town Council can’t afford. Ideally, we’d be able to revert to using this space for housing, as the local council has no more public land to build social housing. If we could mix it up, we could use part of it as flats and another part as offices or community space, something that would be of real value to our citizens.

What’s the current state of the building?

It’s unfinished. The outer structure is intact, but inside there are just a few block walls, with no finishes. Some decorative metal parts are damaged and need to be removed. Even so, considering how many years it’s been neglected, it’s relatively well preserved. The problem is that it’s right at the entrance to the town and isn’t the nicest to look at. The purchase also sought to improve this image.

What role did ITS funds play in this transaction?

Without ITS, it wouldn’t have been possible. The initials costs were covered by the Town Council, with a small part of its own funds, and the Island Council covered around €400,000 of VAT. Finally, the Balearic Government has repaid the most of the investment through the ITS. In total, it cost the Town Council around €168,000.

Are there concrete proposals for the future of Sa Tanca?

For the time being, there are no serious proposals. The Ministry of Industry initially showed some interest, but nothing came from it. We’ve also met with collectives who have proposed cohousing projects or cooperatives to build housing for the elderly, but this isn’t feasible under current regulations. A while ago, the Balearic Government put forward some ideas, such as a technology park, offices or coworking spaces, but nothing has yet come to fruition. We’ll have to wait because the Town Council can’t cover the cost of finishing it or maintaining it on its own.

What does the public think?

People are eager to see it finished, so it’s no longer just an empty building at the entrance to the town. In the participatory process that took place (a requirement of the ITS), proposals were put forward such as a centre for meetings, exhibitions or cultural activities. But one thing is the idea and another is feasibility: maintaining such a large space is very expensive and this is something the public doesn’t always consider.

Will sustainability be a key factor in its refurbishment?

Yes, of course. Whenever a project can be carried out, it’ll always be based on sustainability criteria. Solar panels could be installed on the roof, and the building should be as energy self-sufficient as possible. Today, all local council works are focused in this direction.

What potential do you think the building has?

For me, above all it would be housing, if the law allows it. If not, I think it’d be best to share it with other municipalities to be used for exhibitions, training or local organisation meetings, as well as making the most of the car park. The important thing is for it to be of real value to the community one day.