The project for the new Pesquero bar in Palma's port has achieved a majority of votes in the Historical Centre Commission, but not unanimity. ARCA demands its withdrawal, believing it affects the surroundings of La Lonja.
The Historical Centre Commission of Palma has given the green light to the project for the new Pesquero bar in Palma's port, although the approval was not unanimous. The proposal, driven by the winners of the Balearic Port Authority (APB) competition, received four votes in favour, two against, and four abstentions in the meeting held this Thursday.
Among the votes against were those from the entity ARCA and architect Joana Roca, who believe that the design “still negatively affects” the heritage environment of Sa Llotja, the Cathedral, and the Passeig Sagrera, one of the most sensitive areas of the city.
A vote marked by abstentions
The result of the vote reflects the existing division among the commission members. The four abstentions, according to sources from the meeting, were due to some members believing that the project should return to the commission when it was more developed. However, the technical team of the commission clarified that the vote was definitive and that there would be no second chance.
For ARCA, the decision is “totally incongruent”. The entity recalls that a few months ago the commission unanimously rejected the initial proposal for the Pesquero due to its negative impact on the surroundings of Sa Llotja. Now, however, a project is approved that, according to the promoters themselves, has no significant changes compared to the previous one. “It is pure incongruence,” they denounce in a statement.
A project without definitive plans
Another point that has generated controversy is that the proposal presented to the commission lacked complete technical documentation. According to ARCA, the project arrived “with an idealised image without a basic project, report, elevations, plans, or surface calculations.” The entity believes that it did not meet the necessary documentation for the commission to make a decision.
The representative of the promoters, however, defended that the only viable proposal to maintain the concession won in the APB competition was the third one, the most similar to the initial project. If this was not done, the decision of the competition could be challenged, he warned.
In light of this situation, ARCA has demanded that the Palma City Council “rectify and definitively reject this Pesquero project”. The entity insists that the building harms the image of Palma's historic ensemble in its most sensitive place, the maritime façade.
The new Pesquero bar, which will be located in Palma's port, is a “daring” project that has generated intense debate between heritage defenders and those promoting the renewal of the waterfront. The final decision, for now, rests with the City Council, which must resolve the appeal raised by ARCA.
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