The Pontevedra council has taken a significant step towards the rehabilitation of the Pazo da Cultura and the Recinto Feiral by approving the start of the contracting process for drafting structural and energy rehabilitation projects. This initiative comes with a budget of €93,929.55 for the project drafting, which is expected to take four months, before the estimated construction phase costing over €3 million begins.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Local Government Board, where the mayor of Pontevedra, Miguel Anxo Fernández Lores, emphasised the necessity of this intervention due to the accumulated wear and tear on the building. The Pazo da Cultura, which includes an auditorium, an exhibition hall, and the Recinto Feiral, was designed by architect Manuel de las Casas, with construction starting in 1993 and completion between 1997 and 1998.
Fernández Lores explained that the location of the complex, covering 10,000 square metres alongside the river and estuary, has led to corrosion that has affected the metal elements supporting the façade slabs. This rehabilitation project follows emergency measures implemented in 2025, which were prompted by the detachment of stone slabs and the breakage of glass in the auditorium's skylight. That intervention cost €384,992.04 and involved the installation of a protective perimeter mesh to mitigate risks to the public.
A technical analysis revealed structural deterioration in the metal anchors and stone, impacting over 6,200 square metres of façades and nearly 1,900 square metres of glass surfaces and joinery. The upcoming project will involve the removal of temporary protections and the complete dismantling of the existing façade and glass enclosures throughout the complex.
In their place, a new envelope will be installed, featuring thermal and acoustic insulation, new exterior joinery with thermal break, and a watertight and insulated replacement for the auditorium's skylight. Additionally, terraces will be waterproofed to eliminate leaks, and the external rainwater drainage system will be renewed with new gutters and downpipes that will no longer run through the buildings.
Regarding the final aesthetic finish, Fernández Lores clarified that the municipal government does not have a preconceived idea and that the aesthetic solution will depend on the technical proposal presented by the awarded company. He also noted that some original construction solutions, such as the terraces, were not suitable for the local climate, expressing confidence that the new project will ensure a durable outcome that meets current needs.
