Given the sustained rise in rent prices in Madrid, finding a new home with an affordable rent has become a long-term struggle. In Vicálvaro, Madrid’s Municipal Housing and Land Agency is finalizing construction of La Catalana 4, a development of 82affordable rental apartmentsscheduled for completion in mid-2027.
The complex will feature 30 two-bedroom units, 46 three-bedroom units, and six four-bedroom units. Three of the three-bedroom units will be adapted for people with limited mobility. All will include an assigned parking space and storage unit, as well as underfloor heating—a feature rarely found in public rental developments. In total, the building will have 83 parking spaces, 82 storage units, and a commercial space on the ground floor.
Carefully Designed Apartment Buildings
The project aims to move away from the conventional residential block. Instead of constructing a building that is closed in on itself, the development will leave space for courtyards with abundant greenery, common areas, and air inlets that help keep the complex cool.
The units will face two directions and, in many cases, feature corner living rooms—a design intended to maximize natural light, cross-ventilation, and a greater sense of spaciousness.
Common areas and amenities
The facade will combine thermal insulation, shutters, and exposed brick latticework that will conceal the clotheslines and give the building a warmer appearance. The ground floor will house the main entrance, the commercial space, and the accessible units.
There will also be common areas designed to foster a sense of community beyond the home. An interior atrium with natural light will serve as a gathering place for residents, avoiding the long, dark hallways found in other apartment buildings. The parking spaces and storage units will be located underground.
Sustainability and Other Projects
Sustainability will be another key feature of the complex. The building will have reinforced insulation, mechanical ventilation that recovers heat from the air, and geothermal energy for heating, cooling, and hot water.
These measures will enable the complex to achieve the highest energy efficiency rating, with the goal of reducing both energy consumption and utility bills for future tenants.
The construction of La Catalana 4 involves a municipal investment of over 18.7 million euros and is part of the City Council’s Southern Strategy. It will not be the only public housing project in the district: EMVS Madrid has 13 other projects underway in Vicálvaro, which will add up to around 1,200 affordable rental units.