Antonio Banderas, the renowned actor from Málaga, has decided to demolish his Marbella residence, La Gaviota. This decision concludes the long-standing legal issues that have plagued the beachfront villa since 1997.
Banderas bought the villa, originally constructed with an illegal permit, from a Spanish journalist. The permit was issued by the infamous mayor Jesús Gil, known for various real estate scandals. La Gaviota, located on Los Monteros beach, was the home Banderas shared with Melanie Griffith and where their daughter, Stella del Carmen, was born.
Shortly after purchasing the property, it was discovered that part of the land was reserved for public use. This then led to ongoing legal complications. In 2007, the Andalucian High Court (TSJA) declared the villa’s construction illegal. Despite attempts to regularise the property, including a 2010 proposal to legalise it in exchange for land designated for a coastal path, the villa’s legal status remained unresolved. In 2015, the High Court invalidated the town council’s plan, reinstating the demolition orders.
Demolition and future plans
Banderas recently obtained a demolition permit from the Marbella town council. Thus enabling him to demolish the villa and plan for a new, legal residence on the site. Legal sources confirm that the demolition occurred a few weeks ago. Furthermore, Banderas has already submitted an application for a construction permit for a new home on the same plot.
Impact on other homeowners
The decision to demolish La Gaviota has caused a stir in Marbella, where many illegal properties from Mayor Gil’s era still stand, with demolition orders rarely enforced. This case has heightened concerns among other homeowners with similar legal issues.
While Banderas remains active in Málaga with various projects, including the Teatro del Soho and the newly announced Sohrlin programme for the performing arts, he has made no further comments regarding the demolition of La Gaviota.