Lionel Messi is not only a world soccer icon, but also a prominent real estate investor. However, some of his properties have generated controversy, such as his luxurious house located in Sant Josep, Ibiza. This villa is part of the portfolio managed by Edificio Rostower, the Argentine star’s real estate investment company, which has recently started its transformation into a socimi (listed real estate investment company). This business decision, as reported by El Confidencial, allows Messi to fiscally optimize his assets and open the door to new investors. However, this spectacular residence has not been without legal problems. The Sant Josep authorities detected several unauthorized constructions, including a pergola and a terrace, which violate urban planning regulations.
A mansion in conflict
The conflict surrounding Messi’s mansion dates back to February 2022, when the footballer acquired the property for 11 million euros. The mansion, of 568 square meters built on a plot of more than 16,000 square meters, already presented regularization problems due to unauthorized works carried out by the previous owner. The garage was transformed into additional rooms that did not appear in the original plans, which prevented the issuance of the final building permit and the certificate of occupancy. In addition, new works carried out by Messi, such as earthworks and the construction of terraces, were also done without due permission, which led to a stop work decree issued by the City Council in May 2022.
In September 2024, the City Council issued a demolition order to regularize the situation, a coup that put Messi in the media spotlight not only as an investor, but also as a property owner in Ibiza.
Business strategy
The decision to transform Edificio Rostower into a socimi was approved at the shareholders’ meeting held last December. This change will allow the company to be listed on alternative markets such as BME Growth or Euronext within a maximum period of two years, a move that could attract new investors interested in its luxury portfolio.
The case of the house in Sant Josep is an outstanding part of this portfolio, which also includes luxury hotels such as the MIM Ibiza, located in Figueretas, and the MIM Sotogrande Hotel, currently under renovation. These assets generated revenues of 7.4 million euros in 2023, although the losses, in excess of 1.78 million euros, are evidence of the challenges of managing such an ambitious portfolio. According to El Confidencial, Edificio Rostower, Leo Messi’s real estate company, plans to go public in the medium term, although no date has yet been set. Administered by Rodrigo Martín Messi, brother of the Argentine star, it manages assets valued at 235.5 million euros, of which 176.1 million correspond to real estate assets such as hotels, a villa in Ibiza and a six-story building in Barcelona. At the meeting held on December 11, it was agreed to transform the company into a public limited company and to apply the SOCIMI tax regime, with a two-year period for listing, probably on markets such as BME Growth or Euronext. The firm will be renamed Edificio Rostower, Socimi, SA.
The conflict with Messi’s house
The legal conflict surrounding Lionel Messi’s villa in Sant Josep, Ibiza, has become a paradigmatic case of urban planning irregularities in luxury properties. As La Voz de Ibiza has been reporting, the mansion, acquired by the footballer in February 2022 for 11 million euros, presents multiple problems due to unauthorized works by both the previous owner and Messi himself after the purchase. These irregularities include a garage converted into additional rooms, the construction of a pergola and earthworks, which led the City Council to issue a stop work decree in May of the same year.
In May 2024, the Sant Josep City Council sent a request to regularize certain works that could have been legal if they had been carried out with a license. However, according to municipal sources, Messi did not comply with this requirement within the established deadline, which has resulted in the need to demolish illegal parts of the property. Some of these constructions, such as the garage and the pergola, are not legalizable, which implies their imminent demolition in order to comply with current regulations and obtain the certificate of habitability. Among the works initiated by Messi, there are modifications to the swimming pool and garden, as well as minor changes such as railings and pavements. Although these interventions could have been regularized with a minor license, the lack of permits has further complicated the situation.
According to experts, the property could still request an extension of the deadline to regularize the interventions, but the secrecy of Messi’s legal team and the City Council has left this possibility up in the air.
No response from Sant Josep City Council
It should be noted that the Messi are aware of the process, after being informed by the former mayor Angel Guerrero in a meeting in the previous term, after the stoppage of the works. But as of today, or as far as reported by the josepí city council, Messi has not responded to the requirement nor has he initiated the legalization of the irregular works. Sources confirm that at the end of 2022 they presented a request to restore legality, including proposals for demolition and regularization, evaluated in a report of February 2023, which pointed out elements condemned to demolition. From La Voz de Ibiza continues to insist on access to information on the files of Lionel Messi’s house, but so far has not had a positive response. From the City Council, although initially data was provided in dribs and drabs, for some time now it has been alleged that it is a personal procedure and that is why it cannot provide this information.
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