Almería City Council has dismissed the possibility of acquiring the Cortijo Arcos, a protected historic building that suffered a fire last Saturday. Despite requests from political groups and residents to prevent its deterioration, the council considers the sale price of one million euros 'unaffordable'.
The property, one of the few remaining vestiges of Almería's former estate city, has been included in the Catalogue of Protected Buildings since 2022. The recent fire, although quickly contained by emergency services thanks to the rapid action of neighbors, has reignited concerns about the state of neglect the property is suffering from, having been on the market for over two years.
“"We wish we could buy everything that is deteriorating"
The Councilor for Urban Planning, Eloísa Cabrera, acknowledged seeing the news of the fire in the press and recalled that the cortijo is 'privately owned' and its sale price is 'high'. She ruled out the purchase option, stating that the municipal government team has not changed its mind regarding the acquisition of the property.
Cabrera emphasized that the City Council is working on expanding the Catalogue of Protected Buildings and protecting heritage, but always with responsible 'money management'. She indicated that 'all available mechanisms' are being used to safeguard the city's historical heritage.
The request to acquire the Cortijo Arcos was previously rejected in 2024, despite having the support of the neighborhood association of Los Ángeles, 'La Palmera', who saw this measure as the only way to recover and enhance this historic site.
