Real Madrid face ‘£14m lawsuit over Skybar that is yet to open at the Bernabeu’ – weeks after Spanish giants were forced to cancel concerts
Real Madrid are reportedly facing a nearly £14 million lawsuit over a luxury hospitality area at the Santiago Bernabeu that has yet to open.
The 15-time European champions underwent a five-year renovation of the iconic stadium, costing around £860 million, which has increased its capacity to 85,000.
The renovated stadium also has a 360-degree screen and a retractable roof.
Although most of the renovation has been completed, a luxury Skybar in the stadium is still due to open, six months after the expected completion date.
Spanish newspaper El confidential reported that the venue remains unopened due to a legal battle between Real Madrid and Anastia Gourmet, the company contracted to run the catering space.
Anastia Gourmet has reportedly sued Real Madrid for €16.5 million as it wants to open the venue for planned events.
Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu underwent a five-year renovation costing £860 million
The club is reportedly facing a lawsuit over an unopened luxury catering area in the stadium
The luxury VIP area at the top of the Bernabeu stadium was due to open in April
The outlet cited documents from a lawsuit by Anastia Gourmet, in which the company claims it has been unable to enter the Sky Bar since September last year, with only limited access granted for specific maintenance tasks.
“Since then, Real Madrid has not only prevented the opening of the space to the public, but also the peaceful use and enjoyment of the space leased to my client,” the lawsuit said.
Anastia Gourmet added that Real Madrid ‘terminated the lease and ‘requests the voluntary and free transfer of the property’.
The company is reportedly trying to pay off debts of almost €7m (£5.8m) to suppliers including Schweppes and Heineken.
Anastia Gourmet, who also invested around four million euros in the preparation of the Sky Bar, may have to go bankrupt if they fail to recover the finances to pay its suppliers.
The super-exclusive Skybar was announced on match days as the most luxurious place in the house, but would then turn into a nightclub for dancing the night away.
The new VIP area at the top of the stadium was initially expected to be operational by the end of April and could accommodate approximately 200 guests.
Earlier this year, designs were made public showing that the SkyBar area will be split into four areas, with the restaurant and nightclub on either side and a large bar in the middle.
The company in charge of managing the box claims it has not been given access since September last year and is reportedly seeking damages to settle debts owed to suppliers
The VIP area will consist of a restaurant on one side, a nightclub on the other side and several bar areas in the center
Although there are large windows overlooking the Bernabeu field, panoramic views of the city of Madrid are also available
When open, fans can watch the football from the oval bar, made of marble and bronze, and with bottles on display
Liquor bottles are prominently displayed in the center of the room.
Fans entering the Skybar would do so through one of two entrances with neon lights intended – in the words of designers Room 1804 – “to evoke Madrid’s emblematic skyscrapers.”
Tiered seating areas, including benches with drinks tables, would then overlook the field. An oval-shaped bar will be made of marble and bronze to ‘generate reflections’, creating the impression of a chic cocktail lounge.
The restaurant area and nightclub will feature huge LED screens covering the walls and ceiling, allowing all kinds of images to be projected depending on the atmosphere.
The artist’s impressions of Room 1804 show a constellation projected into the room. DJs are invited to play sets at events, so that people don’t go home at the final whistle.
The intention is that the Skybar will not only be used on match days, but can be rented out as business space for 500 guests and open in the evenings as a bar and restaurant.
The lawsuit is the latest blow to Real Madrid’s attempts to turn the Bernabeu into an ‘event stadium’.
In September the club was forced to cancel or reschedule concerts at the stadium after loud late-night performances led to claims the venue had been turned into a ‘torture dream’.
Access to the Skybar is via one of two neon-lined entrances designed to mimic the Spanish city’s skyscrapers
On non-match days, the VIP suite is open to business guests and visitors to the stadium for a snack and a drink
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium recently underwent a five-year, £760 million renovation
Taylor Swift performs during The Eras Tour at the Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid
Major headliners included Taylor Swift, Colombian star Karol G and Luis Miguel.
Noisy concerts have driven some locals into despair, with a group representing those living near the stadium taking legal action.
Locals complained about late finish times, fans camping in local parks, blocking of roads and drunk people urinating in doorways.
“Real Madrid FC announces that it has decided to temporarily postpone its events and concert program at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium,” said a statement in September.
‘This decision is part of a series of measures the club is taking to ensure that its concerts strictly comply with relevant municipal regulations.’
‘Real Madrid will continue to work to ensure that the necessary good production and emission conditions are in place to enable concerts in our stadium.’