The era of Grupo La Sucursal at the helm of Veles e Vents is coming to an end. The València City Council has denied the extension request from the Temporary Union of Companies (UTE) managing the building, formed by Rescorval S.L. and Interpreta Cultural Projects, S.L., setting September 7, 2026, as the contract's final date. Subsequently, the iconic building in La Marina will be managed by the public company of the Palacio de Congresos, focusing on MICE tourism and gastronomic innovation.
This decision is based on a resolution signed by acting mayor, Juan Giner, which dismisses the concessionaire's request from June 26. The UTE sought a transitional extension until January 2027 or until a new tender was formalized. However, the municipal administration has denied direct adjudication due to a lack of legal coverage, as the law requires public asset exploitation to undergo competitive bidding.
The municipal resolution overturns the UTE's arguments regarding maintenance, security, and already scheduled events. The law stipulates that direct adjudication is an exceptional power requiring extraordinary reasons, which are not present in this case.
The decision concludes a contractual relationship that began in November 2015, when the Consorcio Valencia 2007 awarded the exploitation to an alliance between Heineken España and Rescorval. Business changes occurred, with Heineken leaving in 2020 and Grupo Porto Pinell entering, consolidating management under the Grupo La Sucursal brand.
Since March 2023, several extensions have been granted. Following a technical report that revealed facility deficiencies, the City Council took over the property's guardianship. After repairs, extensions were granted until the end of 2025.
The forced departure of the UTE opens the door for the local government's planned change of direction. Last July, the Governing Board approved reorienting the Veles e Vents towards gastronomic research, technology, and congress tourism. Management will be transferred to the Public Entity of the Palacio de Congresos, led by Isabel Rubio. To secure this operation, the Marina's Special Plan is being modified to reclassify the plot as "public endowment use," turning the building into a public facility for the city, as required by the Port Authority's cession agreement.
The new project will adapt the building, designed by David Chipperfield, to house auditoriums, gastronomic R&D laboratories, exhibition halls, and networking areas. Currently, the urban reform is being processed, and improvement projects are being drafted.
