The paradox of vacant spaces

More or less than 10 years ago? Which parishes are winning the battle of vacant houses? Some consider that there are cursed places where shops are open for only a few months and you can tell they won’t last long because no one ever sees them there. There are of course many influencing factors, such as the format, the location, the rental price of the space, the successive reconfigurations of urban space… But look at the studies on commerce in the plots. Research conducted by the Andorran consultancy Intueri shows that the upper parishes have been better able to attract the attention of businesses or encourage the creation of new ones, while the historic centre of the capital, far from reducing them, has seen an increase. This is also the case with Santa Julià de Loria. But let’s move on.

Starting with the historic center of Andorra la Vella, between 2015 and 2024, vacant premises increase by 10%. So, if in 2015 they represented 6% of the total, now they are 16%. The consultancy points out that this increase has continued, despite a stabilization starting from 2021. Continuing in the parish of Andorra la Vella, located on Avinguda Meritxell, the increase in vacant premises reaches only 2% of the locals. That is what it takes to go from 3% to 5% in ten years. In Avinguda Santa Coloma, the increase is only 1%. In this area, the report points out, the automotive industry continues to play an important role. In this sense, new institutions are identified and new unique and differentiated proposals are proposed.

However, the worst part, the study shows, is the Faena Avenue area, where almost a third of the venues are empty. Surprisingly, although there were none in 2015, by 2021 they already accounted for 34% of the total, and this year, as mentioned, 30%.

Only the Riberaygua and Travesses regions saw a 2% decrease in vacancy rates: in 2015 there were seven and now there are two.

How has the Calle Calemanni Avenue evolved in Escaldes-Engordany? Well, the number of vacant premises has increased by 5% and if in 2015 it was 6%, this year it has reached 11%. Intueri believes that it is important to remember that this is a pedestrian axis in the process of urban transformation, offering new proposals and opportunities for upcoming residential development interventions and providing commercial spaces that will modify the current appearance. Regarding the upper part, one can observe one of the highest rates concentrated at the level of vacant spaces. It must be taken into account that, in terms of the evolution of the percentage of inactive spaces, there are spaces that, in some cases, no longer have commercial use and become garages. In any case, if you observe the evolution, you will see that the percentage of premises without activity has not changed in ten years and remains at 14%.
The number of vacant houses is also increasing in Santa Julià de Loria. Specifically, 6%. If it was 10% in 2015, it will reach 16% this year. In any case, in this case it is necessary to take into account the commercial weight of the large commercial area found in CG-1. In urban environments, the incidence of inactive spaces is determined, especially in sites far from Avinguda Verge de Canòlich.

Fewer higher education areas
The upper parishes have evolved very differently. Specifically, in Massana, the percentage of vacant houses has fallen significantly to 10%. If in 2015 the vacant spaces accounted for 16%, by 2024 this percentage will reach 6%. In any case, the assessment must take into account the incidence of seasonal premises. Therefore, Intueri points out that in the field work, the vacant premises will account for an additional 7.5%.

Also in Canillo, the weight of the commercial sector in the total activity has increased. A good example is that in ten years the share of unused space has decreased by 3%, from 9% to 6% this year. As for Ordino, there has also been a decrease, as in 10 years the unused space has decreased from 6% to 2%.

But Encamp is the parish where the decrease in vacant premises is most significant. If in 2015 it was 20%, this year it is 7%, which means a gradual reduction of 13%. In relation to this, we can see that the investments made by the commune in improving urban spaces and the bets of some operators have translated into an increase in the weight of commerce in total activity. As for Pas de la Casa, the change in the percentage of vacant premises is only 1%. It has risen from 6% in 2015 to 7% in 2024.