Hard Rock struggles with Catalonia development
The Hard Rock casino project in Catalonia remains delayed and the company is pushing for a deadline extension to solve its pending problems and move forward.
Spain.- Hard Rock Entertainment World is the name the huge project the US company had for Spain. However, Hard Rock’s development in Catalonia is still delayed and the deadline to complete the award expires on December 5.
Despite having the authorities’ approval in May 2018, the company could never start working in the area. After several inconveniences, the latest prevents Hard Rock to advance in Catalonia. It involves the payment to the owners of land that the government expropriated for the venue in 2014. According to them, the land’s value has risen since then and demand compensation, filing a legal complaint.
Hard Rock planned to begin working in Catalonia during the first half of 2020. However, it is now racing against the clock to get the extension before next week.
The legal dispute
A judge will decide the fate of Hard Rock’s casino in Catalonia, as it evaluates the recent claim. It arises from owners of expropriated land in 2014. They demand compensation after the land’s value changed since they sold it. Nobody wants to pay the potential new prize (if it’s confirmed) and the conflict delays the development.
According to the Minister of Land and Sustainability, Damià Calvet, negotiations are open. However, he clarified that the government does not plan to absorb any extra costs.
