Torrevieja launches €217,500 tender for design of 126-space facility beneath Plaza Encarnación Puchol
Torrevieja Town Hall has taken the decisive first step towards solving one of La Mata’s longest-standing problems: the chronic shortage of parking. On 5 December 2025, the Local Government Board approved the tender for the full architectural and engineering design of a new underground car park beneath Plaza Encarnación Puchol, combined with a complete makeover of the square above.
The tender, worth €217,512.43 (VAT included), covers the basic and execution project, safety and health plan, waste management plan and technical assistance during construction. The selected team will have six months to deliver the final design. Once approved, the council will launch the public concession tender for the actual building works.
Key project figures
- Underground area: 3,802 m²
- Parking spaces: approx. 126
- Surface redevelopment: 4,500 m²
- New features above ground: children’s playground, shaded pergolas, extensive tree planting, universal accessibility, upgraded services (water, sewerage, electricity, lighting)
- Design contract value: €217,512.43
- Design deadline: 6 months
“This project is a clear response to an obvious need: more parking spaces and a renewed urban environment designed for people. La Mata is growing and deserves solutions that match its vitality.”
Why Plaza Encarnación Puchol?
Extensive technical studies – including geotechnical and geophysical surveys and a detailed parking-demand analysis – confirmed that this central square is the ideal location. Crucially, the project will not remove any existing green areas and will have the least possible impact on daily life in the neighbourhood.
Above ground, the square will be transformed into a genuine civic space: new coastal-adapted trees, a modern playground, seating areas with pergolas, fully accessible paths and direct, barrier-free access to surrounding shops and cafés.
A strategic priority for La Mata
Mayor Eduardo Dolón has repeatedly described La Mata as a top priority for the current administration. In recent years the northern district has seen new promenades, beach improvements and the popular Wednesday street market moved to a larger site. The underground car park is the next logical step in a long-term plan to make La Mata more liveable for residents and more attractive for visitors.
With thousands of second homes, a growing year-round population and ever-busier summers, the lack of parking has long frustrated locals and business owners alike. The new facility will ease congestion on nearby streets and encourage people to leave their cars and enjoy the square, the seafront and the many bars and restaurants on foot.
Next steps
The design tender is now open and expected to attract top architectural practices from across the Valencia region. Once the winning project is chosen and approved (likely mid-2026), the construction concession will be put out to tender – a process that normally takes 9–12 months. If everything runs smoothly, work could begin in late 2027 and the car park could be open by 2029.
For a district that has waited decades for a solution, the green light given on 5 December 2025 marks the moment when the dream of easy parking in La Mata finally started to become reality.
