Real Madrid are reportedly facing a lawsuit for almost £14 million over a luxury hospitality area at the Santiago Bernabeu that is yet to open.
The 15-time European champions undertook a five-year renovation to the iconic stadium, costing around £860 million, increasing the capacity to 85,000 people.
The renovated stadium also features a 360-degree screen and a retractable roof.
While most of the renovation has been completed, a luxury Skybar has yet to open at the stadium, six months after the planned completion date.
spanish newspaper The Confidential reported that the premises remain closed due to a legal battle between Real Madrid and Anastia Gourmet, a company contracted to manage the hospitality area.
Anastia Gourmet is reportedly suing Real Madrid for €16.5m (£13.7m) as she seeks to open the venue to host scheduled events.
Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu underwent a five-year renovation costing £860 million
The club is reportedly facing a lawsuit over a closed luxury hospitality area at the stadium.
The luxurious VIP area at the top of the Bernabéu was planned for April
The outlet cited documents from a lawsuit by Anastia Gourmet where the company claims that it has been prevented from accessing the Sky Bar since last September, with only limited access being granted for specific maintenance tasks.
“Since then, Real Madrid has prevented not only the opening of the space to the public, but also the peaceful use and enjoyment of the space leased to my client,” the lawsuit states.
Anastia Gourmet added that Real Madrid has “terminated the lease contract and requests the voluntary and free delivery of the premises.”
The company is reportedly trying to settle debts of almost €7m (£5.8m) it owes to suppliers including Schweppes and Heineken.
Anastia Gourmet, which also invested around €4m (£3.3m) to prepare the Sky Bar, could have to declare bankruptcy if it could not recover the finances to pay its suppliers.
The super-exclusive Skybar has been billed as the most luxurious seat in the stadium on match days, but then transforms into a nightclub for dancing all night.
The new VIP area just at the top of the stadium was initially expected to be operational by the end of April and could seat around 200 guests.
The designs were made public earlier this year, revealing that the SkyBar area will be split into four areas, with the restaurant and nightclub at opposite ends and a large bar in the centre.
The company in charge of managing the fund claims that it has not been given access since last September and is reportedly demanding compensation to pay debts to suppliers.
The VIP section will have a restaurant at one end, a nightclub at the other and several bar areas in the center.
While there will be large windows overlooking the Bernabéu pitch, panoramic views of the city of Madrid will also be available.
When it opens, fans will be able to watch football from the oval-shaped bar, made of marble and bronze, with bottles on display.
Beverage bottles will be prominently displayed in a location in the center of the room.
Fans entering the Skybar would do so through one of two neon-lined entrances intended – in the words of the designers of Sala 1804 – “to evoke Madrid’s iconic skyscrapers.”
Tiered seating areas, including sofas with tables for drinks, would overlook the field. An oval-shaped bar will be made of marble and bronze to “generate reflections”, giving the impression of a luxury cocktail lounge.
The restaurant and nightclub area will have huge LED screens that will cover the walls and ceiling, allowing all types of images to be projected depending on the environment.
The artist’s prints published in Room 1804 show a constellation of stars projected in the room. DJs will be invited to perform at events, so there’s no need to head home at the final whistle.
The idea is that the Skybar will not only be used on match days, but that it can be rented as a business space for 500 guests, and at night it will be opened as a bar and restaurant.
The lawsuit is the latest blow to Real Madrid’s efforts to turn the Bernabéu into an “events stadium.”
In September, the club was forced to cancel or reschedule concerts at the stadium after rowdy late-night gigs sparked claims the venue had become a “torture drome”.
Access to the Skybar is through one of two neon-clad entrances designed to replicate the Spanish city’s skyscrapers.
On non-match days, the VIP suite will be open to business guests and those visiting the stadium for drinks and food.
The Santiago Bernabéu stadium recently underwent a five-year £760 million refurbishment
Taylor Swift performs on stage during The Eras Tour at the Bernabéu stadium in Madrid
Among the main headliners are Taylor Swift, Colombian star Karol G and Luis Miguel.
The loud concerts have desperate some locals, and a group representing those living around the stadium has taken legal action.
Locals complained about late arrivals, fans camping in local parks, roads being blocked and drunk people urinating in doorways.
“Real Madrid FC announces that it has decided to provisionally reschedule its program of events and concerts at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium,” read a statement in September.
“This decision is part of a series of measures the club is taking to ensure that concerts strictly comply with relevant municipal regulations.”
“Real Madrid will continue working to guarantee that the necessary sound production and emission conditions are in place to allow concerts to be held in our stadium.”