MDCI Project Developer

02/09/2026

Water shortages are common in Southern Spain, and to ensure sufficient supply even during drought conditions, desalination is a key technology.

We’re pleased to see that a large desalination plant project in Axarquía (Vélez-Málaga) is moving through the approval stage, and the preliminary design has been presented to the local authorities. This suggests commitment in the region to improving supplies through civil engineering projects. This project has been quoted to cost around €201 million and would be a very important construction project for the area.

At MDCI, we advise our clients about any possible issues with utilities, and keep our finger on the pulse with regard to upcoming infrastructure and developments. Knowing what’s in the pipeline and how it will shape certain areas, helps us to advise our clients on where to invest, and highlight potential risks such as lack of capacity on the grid, or possible issues with water supply.

Unfortunately, electricity infrastructure constraints are becoming increasingly common. Many existing systems in urban areas are now saturated, thus requiring new transformer stations to be implemented costing developers several hundreds of thousands extra. This is just one of the elements that we’re here to support clients to avoid.

Read the full article by clicking on the link in the first comment 👇

31/08/2026

Investing in Spanish property can be highly rewarding, but successful development requires much more than securing the right plot of land. Understanding the planning system, building a realistic programme and costings and assembling the right professional team are essential to protecting your investment.

At MDCI, we have spent more than three decades managing developments across Spain and beyond, delivering 126 projects in 10 countries and overseeing projects valued at more than €1.7 billion. During that time, we have seen first-hand the challenges international investors face and, more importantly, how they can be avoided, rectified and taken forwards on firm grounds.

Here are five of the most common lessons every overseas investor should understand before starting a development in Spain.

https://www.mdcispain.com/2026/property-development-in-spain/

Planning a property development in Spain? Discover 5 essential lessons international investors should know about land, planning, costs, timelines and project management.

24/08/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗤&𝗔 – 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗹?

That’s an important question! It can take anything from 3 months to over 12 months – depending on various factors affecting the location and where you are building.

Marbella is rather slow and in our experience a licence is taking between 10 and 12 months to come through. Mijas is even worse with wait times often being 14 months plus.

The best areas for processing licence applications quickly are Benahavis and Benalmadena, where you could get your licence within about 6-10 months, if your documentation is accurate and transparent.

A Top Tip is to use the Declaración de Responsable process to fast track the project.

The Declaración de Responsable is a streamlined and speeded-up building licence process, where the onus of responsibility falls on the Applicant (or his technical representative) to ensure that the works will be done complying with all the necessary building parameters and pertinent laws.

While it can be a time saver, your team must be very experienced and technically knowledgeable and skilled, so that you are confident that they know the building codes and the local restrictions and regulations inside and out.

You can find out more on our blog all about this system – link in first comment 👇 .

Please get in touch if you need help on where to build and how to speed up the process as much as possible.

19/08/2026

🔑 𝗝𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗮 "𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻-𝗸𝗲𝘆" 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻?

You’ll hear this term a lot in luxury real estate!

A Turn-key project means the developer or contractor handles absolutely everything - from the initial architectural design right through to the final coat of paint and sometimes including adding fixtures, furniture and extras too! When they are finished, all you have to do is "turn the key" and walk into a ready-to-use home.

While incredibly convenient, handing over total control requires immense trust and a bulletproof contract to ensure you don't fall victim to hidden costs or sub-standard materials.

MDCI can help you navigate this and maintain the convenience of a Turnkey build, but with an independent expert protecting your interests every step of the way. We have successfully managed and delivered a whole range of luxury individual homes and hospitality projects this way! Contact us to discuss.

12/08/2026

𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 - 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴

By reviewing your project and offering expert oversight during the programming phase, cost planning, cash-flow projections, and problem solving throughout the build, MDCI can give you valuable insights, be your eyes and ears on the project and give you the information and advice you need to ensure the project is completed on time and on budget.

Find out more on our website – link in first comment 👇 , or contact us to discuss your needs.

07/08/2026

Great news for urban development and project management in Andalucía! The local government has just given initial approval to the urban planning study that will transform Málaga's historic (and long-vacant) Correos building into a 5-star luxury hotel.

As project managers, we love seeing developments that look beyond the property line. What makes this project stand out isn't just the 178+ luxury rooms or the commercial spaces; it’s the commitment to the surrounding community.

Key highlights of the approved plan:

✅ Adaptive Reuse: Revitalizing a prominent building that has been empty for over 10 years.

✅ Community Infrastructure: A €1.6M investment to upgrade 12,000 m² of the surrounding urban area, including new pedestrian paths, trees, and street furniture.

✅ Economic Impact: Creation of at least 150 new jobs for the city.

Navigating the urban planning and approval stages is often the most complex part of a major municipal project like this. Congratulations to the teams moving this massive revitalization effort forward.

Read the full article on Cadena SER - link in first comment 👇

04/08/2026

This time of year, when the mercury continues to rise and the tourists flock to our sunny shores, the construction industry needs to make changes to protect workers, safeguard their health and encourage good working conditions.

During the hottest part of the summer, most construction sites work on a reduced schedule, starting and finishing early, to avoid the hottest part of the day. In Andalucía, it is usual to have an 8am-3pm or 8.30am to 3.30pm working day for construction workers to protect them from extreme temperatures.

We’ve written a blog about building in the summer which you can read by clicking the link in the first comment, to ensure you understand how things work and why it’s important.

29/07/2026

As experienced project managers in Spain, we know that the success of any construction or development project is rarely determined during the construction phase alone. In reality, the foundations of a successful project are established long before you break ground or the first concrete is poured. Detailed programming and planning undertaken at the earliest stages of a project are among the most critical factors influencing whether a development is delivered safely, on budget, on time, and to the required quality standards.

In this article, we’re sharing why we always prioritise planning at the earliest stages of every project and how this approach can ensure your construction project in Spain is a success.

Learn why detailed project planning is essential for successful construction projects in Spain. Avoid delays, control costs and manage risks from day one.

22/07/2026

𝗝𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 "𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻" 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁?

This is a vital financial clause in a construction contract where a set percentage of the payment is legally withheld from the main contractor.

The retention is deducted monthly and essentially means that you pay 95% of each bill, up to a cumulative total amount of 95% of the cost. The remaining 5% is held on account for 12 months, or is returned to the builder on the presentation of a 5% “First Demand Bank Guarantee”.

This money is only released when the project is 100% complete, flawless, and signed off to your absolute satisfaction after the 12-month guarantee period ends.

You need to protect this retention and ensure that you are covered by a rock-solid contract. At MDCI, we negotiate and manage your construction contracts to ensure you hold the leverage until the very last tile is perfectly laid.

15/07/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗤&𝗔 – 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀?

A – We’ve seen a measured increase in demand and implementation of off-site construction and modular construction methods. We’re supporting clients to use modular building techniques and industrial production methods to speed up the process of building and remove the quality control issues that are inherent to building in-situ.

We’re also seeing a continued focus on sustainability and integrating green energy production to reduce the impact of the project on the environment reduce site waste and residuals and bring down bills generally.