Santa Pola’s long-abandoned Rocas Blancas hotel is finally heading for a new chapter after the Town Hall approved the building licence for its major redevelopment.

Developer Grupo ASA plans to begin work as early as September, with the renovation expected to take around 18 months.

The project will transform one of Santa Pola’s most prominent abandoned buildings into a four-star hotel with 105 rooms.

Long abandonment

The former hotel closed in 2010 and has since suffered years of vandalism, theft, graffiti and deterioration.

During its 16 years standing empty, the building became an increasingly familiar sight for motorists travelling along the N-332 and a reminder of the site’s former importance to Santa Pola’s tourism industry.

At one point, the property even appeared for sale on Wallapop for more than €4 million.

Plans now involve transforming the 23,000-square-metre complex and bringing the former hotel back into use.

Hotel redevelopment

The new four-star hotel will have 105 rooms, with the redevelopment expected to take around 18 months once construction gets underway.

One particularly interesting part of the project is a proposed pedestrian footbridge over the N-332.

This would connect the hotel with Santa Pola itself and the area around Moli de la Calera, allowing guests to reach town without having to drive.

The footbridge would provide a direct pedestrian connection across the busy road and improve access between the redeveloped hotel and the surrounding area.

The council has also approved a 50 per cent reduction in the project’s construction tax, recognising the redevelopment as being of special municipal interest.

Former landmark

Rocas Blancas was once a major local hotel, with facilities including a swimming pool, spa, gym and the Palacio de Cristal venue used for celebrations and large events.

Football teams also stayed at the hotel for training camps, adding to its role as a well-known accommodation and events venue in Santa Pola.

Its closure in 2010 began a lengthy period of uncertainty over the future of the site, while the condition of the empty complex continued to deteriorate.

After 16 years standing empty, the latest approval means its long-awaited transformation can finally move towards construction, with work potentially beginning as early as September.