Zaha Hadid Architects has designed a 21-storey tower for a new urban proposal presented by Sierra Blanca Estates in the El Bulto area of Malaga. Positioned next to the city’s port railway line, the site forms part of Malaga’s larger effort to transform its industrial port into a residential zone with cultural and recreational facilities.
The project addresses increasing housing demand in the city. It includes up to 153 residential units in the tower and an additional 80 subsidised apartments reserved for long-standing members of the El Bulto community. These units respond to the city’s priority to increase housing access while supporting existing residents. The subsidised portion of the project (VPO) focuses on long-term integration, avoiding displacement as the neighborhood undergoes change.
Architecture and Preservation
Zaha Hadid Architects designed the main building with a focus on scale and visibility, contributing a new vertical presence to the developing neighborhood. The 21-storey tower stands as the centerpiece of the site and defines the residential segment of the plan. Alongside the new construction, the project will also preserve and relocate several nearby heritage structures. Among them is the Cottolengo Diocesan Residence, which will be moved to maintain its role within the community.
The design process ties new architecture with conservation efforts, introducing modern housing while keeping historical pieces of the neighborhood present in future planning.
A Citywide Development Approach
The El Bulto project follows an urban development initiative unique to Andalusia. The plan functions within a collaborative management model that connects public and private agents in the city’s long-term planning process. This initiative helps Malaga achieve its urban goals while ensuring coordination across sectors. The approach allows projects like El Bulto to move forward while supporting social, residential, and infrastructure improvements.
As the Urban Planning Agent, Sierra Blanca Estates operates within this framework to carry out the proposed project. Their role extends beyond construction. It includes managing timelines, coordinating public-private responsibilities, and meeting city objectives around accessibility, sustainability, and neighborhood integration.
Public Space and Accessibility
The plan introduces several public elements designed to reshape how people interact with the space. New public squares, sheltered courtyards, and gardens form part of the proposal. These additions aim to increase community access to green space while improving mobility through the neighborhood.
Sports and recreational facilities are also part of the design. The goal centers on creating accessible and usable spaces for both residents and visitors. These elements aim to open El Bulto to a wider audience while responding to the needs of the current community.
Long-Term Vision
Sierra Blanca Estates outlines the El Bulto plan as part of a broader mission. The company continues to focus on projects that address housing needs while supporting integration and local identity. This proposal adds housing supply, upgrades civic spaces, and protects architectural legacy.
Zaha Hadid Architects’ role in the project adds a layer of architectural ambition without distancing the project from its social and civic goals. The combination of new housing, protected structures, and public space design shapes El Bulto into a model for future development across the region.
Architect: Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA)
Design: Patrik Schumacher
ZHA Project Director: Manuela Gatto
ZHA Project Team: Alicia Hidalgo, Armando Bussey, Jessica Wang, Jose Pareja Gomez, Laizhen Wu, Massimo Napoleoni, Thomas Bagnoli, Veronica Erspamer
ZHA Sustainability Team: Carlos Bausa Martinez, Aditya Ambare, Aleksander Mastalski, Bahaa Alnassrallah, Disha Shetty, Shibani Choudhury
Renders: Atchain
Animation: Morean
