Real Madrid face ‘£14m lawsuit over Skybar that is yet to open at the Bernabeu’ – weeks
Real Madrid are reportedly facing a lawsuit for nearly £14million over a luxury hospitality area at the Santiago Bernabeu that is yet to open.
The 15-time European champions had a five-year renovation at the iconic stadium, costing around £860m which has seen the capacity rise to 85,000.
The revamped stadium also features a 360-degree screen and retractable roof.
While the majority of the renovation has been completed, a luxury Skybar at the stadium is still yet to open, six months after its expected completion date.
Spanish newspaper El Confidencial reported that the venue remains unopened due to a legal battle between Real Madrid and Anastia Gourmet, the company contracted to run the hospitality area.
Anastia Gourmet has reportedly sued Real Madrid for €16.5m (£13.7m), as it seeks to open the venue to hold scheduled events.
Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu underwent a five-year renovation costing £860m
The club reportedly face a lawsuit over an unopened luxury hospitality area at the stadium
The luxury VIP area at the top of the Bernabeu stadium had been scheduled to open in April
The outlet cited documents from a lawsuit by Anastia Gourmet where the company claims to have been prevented from entering the Sky Bar since last September, with only limited access granted for specific maintenance tasks.
‘Since then, Real Madrid has prevented not only the opening of the space to the public, but also the peaceful use and enjoyment of the space leased to my client,’ the lawsuit states.
Anastia Gourmet added that that Real Madrid has ‘terminated the lease agreement and is ‘requesting the voluntary and free handover of the premises’.
The company are reportedly seeking to settle debts of almost €7m (£5.8m) it has to suppliers, including Schweppes and Heineken.
Anastia Gourmet, who also invested around €4m (£3.3m to prepare the Sky Bar, may have to enter bankruptcy should they be unable to recover the finances to pay its suppliers.
The super-exclusive Skybar has been billed as the most luxurious seat in the house on matchdays but would then transform into a nightclub to dance the night away afterwards.
The new VIP area right at the top pf the stadium was initially expected to be operational by the end of April, accommodating around 200 guests.
Designs had been produced publicly earlier this year, which revealed the SkyBar area will be split into four areas, with the restaurant and nightclub at opposite ends and a large bar in the centre.
The company tasked with running the box claims it has not been given access since last September and is reportedly seeking damages in order to pay debts to suppliers
The VIP section will feature a restaurant one end, a nightclub the other and various bar areas in the centre
While there will be large windows facing onto the Bernabeu pitch, panoramic views of the city of Madrid are also available
When opened fans will be able to view the football from the oval-shaped bar, made of marble and bronze, and featuring bottles on display
Drinks bottles will be displayed prominently in a feature at the centre of the room.
Fans entering the Skybar would do so through one of two entrances lined with neon lights intended – in the words of designers Room 1804 – ‘to evoke the emblematic skyscrapers of Madrid.’
Tiered areas of seating, including couches with drinks tables would then overlook the pitch. An oval-shaped bar will be made of marble and bronze to ‘generate reflections’, giving the impression of an upmarket cocktail lounge.
The restaurant area and the nightclub will feature enormous LED screens covering the walls and ceiling, enabling all kinds of images to be projected depending on the ambience.
The artist’s impressions release by Room 1804 show a constellation of stars projected into the room. DJs will be invited to perform sets at events so there will be no heading home at the final whistle.
The idea is that the Skybar won’t just be used on matchdays but can be hired out as a business space for 500 guests, while it will open up as a bar and restaurant in the evening.
The lawsuit is the latest blow to Real Madrid’s efforts to turn the Bernabeu into an ‘event stadium’.
In September the club was forced to cancel or reschedule concerts at the stadium after loud gigs late at night led to claims the venue had been turned into a ‘torture-drome’.
Access into the Skybar is through one of two neon-lined entrances designed to replicate the skyscrapers of the Spanish city
On non-matchdays, the VIP suite will be opened up to business guests and those visiting the stadium for drinks and food
The Santiago Bernabéu stadium recently underwent a five-year, £760million refurbishment
Taylor Swift performs on stage during The Eras Tour at the Bernabéu stadium in Madrid
Major headliners have included Taylor Swift, Colombian star Karol G and Luis Miguel.
Noisy concerts have driven some locals to despair, with a group representing those living around the stadium beginning legal action.
The locals complained about late finish times, fans camping in local parks, the blocking of roads and drunk people urinating in doorways.
‘Real Madrid FC is announcing that it has decided to provisionally reschedule its event and concert programme at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium,’ a statement read in September.
‘This decision is part of a raft of measures that the club is taking to ensure that the concerts comply strictly with the relevant municipal regulations.’
‘Real Madrid will continue working to make sure that the necessary sound production and emission conditions are in place to allow concerts to be held in our stadium.’