Malaga’s marina, home to luxury mega yachts, is set to undergo a transformation with a two-metre-high fence added for extra security.
The glass-panelled fence will be installed in the coming days and is set to replace a temporary structure erected in 2022.
The current structure, which stands at 1.4 metres high, was put in place to provide temporary security until a permanent, more environmentally option could be found.
The temporary structure had been criticised for its aesthetics and had been accused of ruining the view from the marina, with it unclear how plans for a taller structure will be received by locals.
The Port Authority said, as reported by Spanish news outlet Olive Press: “The panels will be higher, but without taking away visibility.”
The temporary structure had been criticised for placing the needs of wealthy yacht owners above those of locals and it is not yet known if the new structure alleviates any of those concerns.
In 2022, critics slammed the temporary structure for taking up valuable public space whilst obstructing views of the marina.
Malaga’s mayor, Francesco de la Torre said he disagreed with the structure, which he described as “inappropriate”.
Whilst the glass structure might alleviate some concerns over the view, at two metres high, the new structure is bigger and is set to take up a similar amount of room.
Work on the new fence aimed at improving visibility of the area started earlier this week.
The new panels will surround the three main berths of Pier One, which has moorings for yachts over 100 metres in length.
Marinas in the Costa del Sol, such as Malaga, are almost full to capacity with an average occupancy rate of around 85 percent, recently released data shows.
The figure is a 5 percent rise from the previous year and solidifies Costa Del Sol as one of Andalusia’s premier destinations for nautical enthusiasts.
Manuel Raigón, managing director of the nautical association, said: “This confirms the strength and attractiveness of Andalusian marinas and, specifically, those of the Costa del Sol as a top-level nautical destination, with quality standards that make them chosen over other destinations on the Andalusian coast.”
