Hundred people protest in Lisbon against luxury hotel in the Graça Headquarters

Cerca of a hundred people today manifested themselves at the Graça Headquarters in Lisbon, against the installation of a luxury hotel in the old military building, an initiative where elements of the Lisbon Camp took part.

The initiative, which took place between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., was promoted by the Assembly of Grace – Stop the Hotel in the HQ and brought together music, food sales and interventions against furniture speculation and gentrification of the city.

“Less Tourism and More Neighborhood” and “Less Hotels and More Houses” were some of the posters that could be read in this protest, which brought together about a hundred people, despite the rain.

In statements to journalists, Mariana Soares, a member of the movement, explained that the challenge to building a hotel in the Graça Headquarters has lasted for more than two years and that the mobilization has intensified in recent months, before the progress of the works.

“ It is necessary to continue to resist because the works accelerated immensely since the summer ", pointed out.

Mariana Soares explained that residents want the barracks to be intended for equipment and activities at the service of the community, including cultural, artistic and associative spaces, housing, a library and infrastructure for young people and the elderly.

“ We advocate that the barracks be used for the benefit of the community. We defend that there is culture, art, housing and a local associative center, which does not often have space to practice their activities and to meet people”, complained.

The Lisbon Camp had decided, in the People's Assembly, to participate in this protest action, but there was no public demonstration of these elements.

The Graça Headquarters, located in the parish of São Vicente, integrated the list of historic properties to be rehabilitated under the Revive program, presented in 2019 by the then Government of the PS. The concession was awarded to the Sana group for 50 years, with an annual income of 1.79 million euros, for the installation of a five-star hotel.

The investment initially estimated for the project was EUR 30 million, with an opening planned for the end of 2022. However, the deadline was not met and construction works only started in 2026.

In July, the Hotel Stop movement in the Graça Headquarters warned of a possible loss of 13 million euros to the State if the Sana group's request to postpone the start of rent payments to March 2030 is accepted.

The hotel group justified the request with the delay in obtaining the necessary license for the works. The Ministry of Finance requested a legal opinion from PLMJ to assess the case.