en.Wedoany.com Reported - La Vaguada shopping center in Madrid's Pilar district, Spain, has launched a renovation project on its roof. Opened in 1983 as the first shopping center in the Community of Madrid, its roof was originally designed by Canarian artist César Manrique four decades ago. Due to prolonged exposure to the high-altitude climate, the waterproofing and insulation layers urgently require a comprehensive overhaul. The shopping center has allocated a budget of 3 million euros to renovate a total of 23,000 square meters of waterproofing and insulation layers.

Technical work is expected to be completed by the end of November this year. Construction is progressing through a complex safety and logistics plan to ensure it does not disrupt store operations or customer experience. The renovation employs next-generation materials: high-durability waterproofing membranes shield the upper structure, preventing water seepage and moisture; polystyrene insulation layers with extremely low thermal conductivity avoid heat loss in winter and cool air escape in summer; an adapted drainage system is designed to handle extreme weather and the increasingly frequent heavy rains on the Iberian Peninsula.

After the roof work is completed, the shopping center will reopen a 3,000-square-meter open-air terrace to the public. This space will be used for brand events, interactive cultural activities, entertainment programs, and outdoor dining experiences. The restoration of this public area is part of a broader modernization strategy that began in 2023, when the shopping center invested over 16 million euros to renovate interior lighting with low-energy LED systems, improve acoustic comfort in corridors, and update rest areas. Meanwhile, La Vaguada is also updating its commercial layout, with fashion brand Polín et moi having moved in, and telecom operator Orange strategically relocating to a redesigned store within the complex.