If they were not local fans of Madrid, many people would not know that Real Madrid's new stadium renovation project was actually divided into two parts: one at the Bernabéu, and the other at the Valdebebas training base.
The Bernabéu Stadium was built in 1947. At the time, it could be considered one of the world's most luxurious top-tier stadiums. It subsequently underwent several expansions and renovations and had remained in use ever since. Real Madrid's club administrative offices had also always been located at the Bernabéu.
But times had changed. More than half a century ago, the area around the Bernabéu had been on the outskirts of Madrid. Now, it was in the heart of the city, where every inch of land was worth a fortune.
Not to mention the Bernabéu—even the remote suburban area where Real Madrid's sports city had once stood had been transformed into the Four Towers Business Area at the beginning of the century. It was now home to Madrid's most iconic modern buildings, showing just how rapidly the city had developed.
Because the Bernabéu occupied prime land in the city center, and because the stadium itself was such a powerful attraction, Real Madrid had long wanted to move the club's offices elsewhere and completely transform the Bernabéu into the most modern commercial complex, combining football with shopping, leisure, and entertainment. With the renovation of the Bernabéu now underway, relocating the offices had also been placed on the agenda.
The land was already available. Real Madrid still owned a large tract of land at Valdebebas in the northeastern suburbs, and construction was progressing smoothly. As a result, the administrative office building project was moving faster than the stadium renovation. Several months earlier, the team had already begun moving into the new office building at Valdebebas.