The 47,000m² project, for Marbella-based developer Sierra Blanca Estates, is competing against submissions from two other developers, designed by Spanish architecture studios Morph and Estudio Segui.

The ZHA scheme comprises 153 residential units within a 21-storey tower. A further 80 subsidised housing units would be made available to the long-time residents of the community.

The site is currently occupied by a shelter for vulnerable people. ZHA’s proposal moves this to a new building elsewhere in the town. Its plans also involve demolishing a hostel and other buildings owned by the city council in the area.

The building would feature a 40m façade, which decreases in height as it approaches a green space known as Huelin Park.

Sierra Blanca Estates is competing against the Urbania and Guamar building firm, with Morph as designer, and José Seguí’s architectural studio.

Morph has submitted a so-called ‘invisible’ housing development, which aims to create the smallest possible visual impact on the area. It is the only scheme that keeps the existing shelter where it is, and features a spiralling design with terraces topped by greenery, according to local reports.

José Seguí’s proposal, meanwhile, is for a 26-floor luxury hotel including around 300 rooms, more than 4,000m² of office space and a helipad on the roof.

The project forms part of the city’s ongoing transformation of its industrial port into a residential neighbourhood under the Andalusia urban development initiative.

Sierra Blanca Estates’ plans also include public squares, landscaped gardens and sheltered courtyards, as well as new sports and recreational facilities.

Alongside the ZHA building, these additions are designed, it says, to ‘enhance the quality of civic spaces for Malaga’s residents and visitors while creating a more accessible urban environment’.

The proposal also includes the preservation and relocation of several nearby heritage structures, as well as the homeless shelter.

A decision on which scheme will be adopted is expected later this year.

Project Team

Architect Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
Design Patrik Schumacher
ZHA project director Manuela Gatto
ZHA project team Alicia Hidalgo, Armando Bussey, Jessica Wang, Jose Pareja Gomez, Laizhen Wu, Massimo Napoleoni, Thomas Bagnoli, Veronica Erspamer
ZHA sustainability team Carlos Bausa Martinez, Aditya Ambare, Aleksander Mastalski, Bahaa Alnassrallah, Disha Shetty, Shibani Choudhury
Renders Atchain
Animation Morean