The mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, attended the signing of an agreement between Sierra Blanca Estates and Marriott International for the development of the St. Regis Marbella hotel and residential complex, located in the Las Dunas area. The opening is scheduled for 2031.
Muñoz highlighted the significance of this initiative, which also involves Platinum Estates, stating that it represents a crucial project for the city, not only due to its economic and tourism dimensions but also for the substantial improvements it will bring in terms of infrastructure, mobility, and environmental recovery.
The complex will feature 169 hotel rooms and 151 luxury residences, generating over 2,000 direct jobs and 4,500 indirect jobs during its construction, along with more than 450 jobs once operational. The mayor emphasised the benefits this development will provide to the local community, noting that approximately 110,000 of the 160,000 square metres allocated for the project will be designated for public spaces, presenting an extraordinary opportunity for urban development.
Additionally, the project includes the regeneration of nearly 50,000 square metres of dune systems, an extension of the coastal path (Senda Litoral) by over 500 metres, and the creation of 277 public parking spaces. Muñoz also mentioned the construction of a new service road parallel to the A-7 motorway, which will be essential for improving connections in Las Chapas, facilitating access to urbanisations, and alleviating traffic congestion.
Muñoz expressed gratitude to the promoting companies for their commitment to Marbella, asserting that the arrival of a globally recognised brand like St. Regis confirms the city's readiness to attract high-level investments. She noted that Marbella has established itself as an appealing destination year-round, thanks to its climate, services, culinary offerings, cultural and sporting activities, and the quality of its tourist establishments.
The mayor conveyed the town hall's commitment to continue collaborating to facilitate the project's realisation and explained that they are currently in the process of presenting the urbanisation project to expedite the granting of the necessary licenses and the commencement of construction.
On behalf of Sierra Blanca Estates, Carlos Rodríguez explained that the complex will be built on a 16-hectare site with over 350 metres of beachfront. He described it as a unique opportunity, not only for Marbella but for the entire Mediterranean region. Rodríguez noted that 69% of the land will be for public use and asserted that the project integrates with Marbella, returning space to the city.
In terms of environmental impact, he detailed plans to recover 3.2 hectares of dunes within the site and an additional 1.6 hectares in the surrounding area, as well as the removal of invasive species from nearly 13,000 square metres. The project will also address the Real de Zaragoza stream to reduce flood risks and incorporate systems for rainwater harvesting and irrigation with recycled water.
Rodríguez highlighted that the development will extend the Senda Litoral by 516 new metres and include a 40-metre wooden walkway connecting to Golden Beach. Regarding the new service road south of the A-7, he mentioned an investment of over €15 million, with an estimated execution period of 18 months, which will improve the links at El Rosario and Elviria. This infrastructure is expected to divert more than 15,000 vehicles daily from the main motorway.
Construction work on the infrastructure could begin before the end of the year. The hotel will feature rooms and suites with terraces overlooking the Mediterranean, several restaurants, a beach club, wellness facilities, and spaces for conferences and events. The complex will include over 5,000 square metres dedicated to dining, leisure, and wellness, as well as 1,100 square metres for meetings and events. The 151 residences, ranging from two to five bedrooms, will have independent access and will be able to utilise the hotel services of St. Regis.
Rodríguez noted that the architectural design will adapt to the natural slope of the land, emphasising gardens and open spaces to ensure landscape integration. Manuel Climent, the Development Director for Marriott International in Spain and Portugal, praised the Costa del Sol's appeal compared to other prestigious international destinations, citing its ability to maintain tourist activity throughout the year.
Climent pointed out that Marbella's air connections, golf offerings, gastronomy, and cultural heritage make it a prime location for such investments, leading the company to choose St. Regis, its ultra-luxury brand, for the area. He expressed confidence that the complex will become a reference project both nationally and internationally.
Finally, Roshni Mohinani, President of Platinum Estates, thanked the town hall for its collaboration in making this initiative a reality. She stated that their vision was to develop a project that respects its surroundings, significantly contributes to Marbella, and establishes a new standard of luxury hospitality in the region. Mohinani regarded the agreement as a decisive step after years of work and highlighted the inclusion of St. Regis as a guarantee of excellence, personalised service, and international projection.
