Tom PowellA STRIKING historical mansion – partly styled on the Alhambra palace – has been given the green light for its final phase of restoration work.
The Casa de los Navajas, overlooking Bajondillo beach, in Torremolinos was in ruin before work began in 2011.
Now the elegant mansion, built in 1925 in the mudejar style, is nearing completion and stands in stark contrast to the concrete high rises that give Torremolinos a bad reputation.
Officials are still undecided on the exact use of the mansion but it will be opened to the public could be used for wedding ceremonies.
The restoration has not been easy though, as extremely rare construction materials had to first be tracked down and then worked into the building’s style.
Mayor Pedro Fernandez Montez described the project as ‘very specialised’.
The final phase, budgeted at €415,000, is being funded by the Diputacion de Malaga and will be carried out by maintenance company Samset.
The house was originally built by a sugar cane dealer called Antonio Navajas, who was inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada.
A decade ago his grandchildren ceded the property to the town hall in exchange for the right to develop two neighbouring plots.
Did the original have planning permission ?
Nice view from the rear of the house lol.