New 144m Hotel Tower to Transform Malaga Port

The long-awaited design of Malaga’s future port tower hotel has finally been unveiled. Created by the internationally acclaimed studio of British architect David Chipperfield, the 144-metre luxury skyscraper will feature nearly 400 suite-style rooms and a dramatic rooftop garden terrace—set to become one of the most iconic structures on the Costa del Sol.

The images, exclusively revealed by SUR, showcase a sleek rectangular tower with a glass façade, rising above the Levante quay at the end of the port, beyond the cruise terminal. The project is promoted by Hesperia Hotels together with the Qatari Al Alfia fund, who will officially present further details on 17 November.

A Landmark Urban Transformation

The tower forms part of a larger proposal to fully redevelop the Levante quay, converting the previously industrial space into a new urban hub. Chipperfield’s plan includes landscaped public areas, viewpoints, commercial spaces, and a new 2,000-capacity convention centre, addressing a long-standing need in the city.

The architect emphasised that the project’s goal is to reconnect the city with its port, blending vertical architecture with extensive public spaces. “The hotel and congress centre can be the catalyst,” Chipperfield said, highlighting the opportunity to transform the quay into a vibrant extension of the city.

Institutional Approval and Next Steps

The Malaga port authority has already validated the full proposal and forwarded it to Puertos del Estado, the national port authority under the Ministry of Transport. This body must now assess its legal compliance before sending it to the Spanish cabinet for final approval.

However, the project’s timeline remains dependent on the resolution of two legal appeals filed by Defendamos Nuestro Horizonte and the Academy of Fine Arts of San Telmo, both currently going through the courts. No final government approval will proceed until these cases are resolved.

A Strategic Investment for Spain

For promoters, the green light from the port authority represents a “key milestone” after almost a decade of planning. Hesperia Hotels CEO Jordi Ferrer described the project as “a first-class investment” and highlighted Chipperfield’s sustainable and city-focused vision.

The proposed hotel, he argued, respects Malaga’s skyline while projecting the city internationally. Located at the far end of the port and away from the historic centre, the tower is intended to revitalise an underused area and create a new urban landmark.

With regulatory reviews underway and court decisions pending, Malaga now awaits the next steps in what could become one of the most significant architectural and tourism developments in modern Spanish history.

Source: Sur In English, November 2025