El Casón de Riquelme and its annexes: a protected heritage

Versión en español

This summer, many property owners, especially Spanish ones, were unpleasantly surprised by renovations to the Casón architectural complex located next to Calle Atlántico. Part of the facade, originally white, has been painted glossy black, in addition to other significant alterations. Many of us consider the result aesthetically unfortunate, but there are more problems.

Photo: 16 August, 2026

Photo: 18 May, 2014

As can be seen on the Murcia City Council's geoviewer, the Casón de Riquelme and its adjoining buildings are protected as listed properties due to their cultural significance. They have been assigned Structural Protection (Grade 2), which limits any alterations to the complex, requiring the preservation of its original facades and volume.

Screenshot: 21 August, 2026. Click to enlarge

In the Region of Murcia, the protection of a listed property of cultural significance is a shared responsibility between the Regional Government (CARM) and the City Council, in this case, the City of Murcia. The Regional Government establishes the legal framework for heritage protection, and the City Council is responsible for ensuring compliance. This is achieved through the General Urban Development Plan (PGOM) and building permits.

If you believe an infraction may be occurring, or simply want to know if and how the work was authorized, what reports were used, and whether the work carried out complies with the project plans and protection regulations, you can file a complaint. We know that several owners have already done so.

There are two separate official channels for reporting potential violations online:

• Through the CARM Electronic Office using the specific procedure for Complaints Regarding Cultural Heritage (Code 2781).
• Through the Murcia City Council Electronic Office using the general application procedure with a written request addressed to the Urban Planning Enforcement Service.

As a final thought, we wonder how the resort managers will be able to maintain their reasonable policy of opposing arbitrary modifications to apartments by their owners. At this resort, it seems that some can do whatever they want, but others cannot.