A casino project in the North of Spain that has already been delayed 10 years since it was originally announced, now faces a new hurdle. Hard Rock International (HRI) had planned on developing Barcelona World, but it is now being accused of being an environmental hazard.
Catalonia’s Ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda released a report recently that accused the project of not meeting several requirements. They are requesting that HRI change their urban master plan to satisfy environmental requirements.
The government report said that there was no “environmental compensation,” and that the development lacked “ecological connectivity.” They added that those areas have to be satisfied to guarantee the least amount of environmental impact.
Media outlet El Nacional reported that government sources told them that the project isn’t doomed, but changes definitely need to be made.
The good news for HRI, however, is that it is dealing with a far friendlier government. The previous administration in Catalonia was opposed to the project. That was a major stumbling block for Hard Rock and one of the reasons for the delay.
That doesn’t mean everyone is on board with Barcelona World. Aturem BCN World is the main opposition to the project and has filed a judicial appeal to the urban master plan. That could delay the project for several more years. They have also threatened legal action to try and quash the development.
The development is an ambitious one. It was announced in 2012 by a different company that has since dissolved that there would be six theme parks on approximately 1,100 acres. Each park would have a casino and a hotel. The cost was estimated at $4.81 billion and would create nearly 40,000 jobs.
In 2017, Hard Rock took over the idea and scaled it back. The cost was reduced to $2 billion.
With the delays in Hard Rock’s investment, cost has increased. There is no indication, however, that they are abandoning the project.
