- Region
- Vega baja
- Marina Alta
- Marina Baixa
- Alicante
- Baix Vinalopo
- Alto & Mitja Vinalopo
-
ALL TOWNS
- ALICANTE TOWNS
- Albatera
- Alfaz Del Pi
- Alicante City
- Alcoy
- Almoradi
- Benitatxell
- Bigastro
- Benferri
- Benidorm
- Calosa de Segura
- Calpe
- Catral
- Costa Blanca
- Cox
- Daya Vieja
- Denia
- Elche
- Elda
- Granja de Rocamora
- Guardamar del Segura
- Jacarilla
- Los Montesinos
- Orihuela
- Pedreguer
- Pilar de Horadada
- Quesada
- Rafal
- Redovan
- Rojales
- San Isidro
- Torrevieja
- Comunidad Valenciana
- EDITIONS: Spanish News Today Murcia Today Andalucia Today
ARCHIVED - Assets of the emblematic Casa del Reloj in San Pedro del Pinatar are up for auction
The prestigious restaurant closed last June after entering voluntary liquidation
The future of the emblematic Casa del Reloj, for many years one of the most prestigious restaurants in the Region of Murcia, hangs in the balance after it was announced this week that the business’s assets are to put up for auction at a starting price of 353,000 euros.
The company managing the restaurant, located in a Modernist building in San Pedro del Pinatar which was built in 1888, entered voluntary liquidation in November 2019 before the outbreak of the pandemic preceded closure in June last year, and that procedure is now to be concluded with the auction of items including crockery, dinner services, plates, glasses, the kitchen equipment and a marquee used for celebratory events. These items are grouped together in three lots with a total starting price of 353,332.21 euros, but the company’s accumulated debts amount to a total of over 2.3 million euros, according to the administrator, Isabel Gambín.
Sra Gambín also adds that although bidders are welcome for any or all of the three lots, the ideal strategy would be to purchase all three in order to acquire a complete business and for the heritage of the Casa del Reloj to remain in place. The two largest lots are valued at 184,000 and 164,000 euros and contain a variety of kitchen equipment, dining services and computer systems, with the marquee included in the second. The third lot, including a Mercedes C220, has already been sold for a little over 5,000 euros.
Any bidder intending to re-open the restaurant would need to acquire both of the main lots and re-negotiate the rental of the premises with the owners, the Benedicto family. Should the lots go to different bidders, the likelihood is that the building will remain unused as it did for decades before being refurbished in the last century. Isabel Gambín reports that various entrepreneurs have already expressed an interest.
The Casa del Reloj became famous not only for the Modernist architectural design of Pedro Cerdán but also for its surroundings – it stands among palm trees and looks out towards the shore of the Mediterranean – and, in its later years, as a venue for fine dining and events such as wedding receptions. It was declared an Item of Cultural Interest in 1995 after the success of the restaurant guaranteed the building’s restoration and maintenance following years of neglect.
In the 19th century the Casa del Reloj was witness to a sad event, namely the death of Emilio Castelar, former President of the First Spanish Republic. He was a good friend of the Servet family, the owners of the property, and came to San Pedro del Pinatar to enjoy the fresh air and healthy bathing. However, he was already diagnosed with a severe heart condition and eight days after arriving, he suffered a heart attack: this is now commemorated with a memorial plaque in the house.