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About us

Distrito Castellana Norte

Distrito Castellana Norte (DCN) is the urban transformation company driving the Madrid Nuevo Norte project.

As the successful bidder in the public tender held by RENFE in March 1993 for the preferential award of its rights in relation to the development of the land of the Chamartín railway installations, DCN is the largest private investor in this large-scale publicly-led urban regeneration plan.

As the principal private developers of this major urban regeneration project that will transform the capital, led by the City Council and the Madrid Regional Government, we are working to leave future generations a city model that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. A project that is the product of public-private collaboration and citizen participation and that enjoys a strong institutional, political and social consensus, which, after final approval in 2020, led to the commencement of the execution phase of the project.

As the principal private developers of this major urban regeneration project that will transform the capital, led by the City Council and the Madrid Regional Government, we are working to leave future generations a city model that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. A project that is the product of public-private collaboration and citizen participation and that enjoys a strong institutional, political and social consensus, which, after final approval in 2020, led to the commencement of the execution phase of the project.

Brief history


1991
Agreement to renovate Chamartín
The Government of Spain, the Madrid Regional Government and the City Council of Madrid together conceive the project and agree to renovate and integrate Chamartín Station and the adjacent railway grounds into the city, closing a historic rift in the city.
1993
Public tender
Renfe, at the time under the Ministry of Public Works, made a public call for tenders to award the urban development project. The successful bidder is Unitaria, a company formed by the financial institution Argentaria and the construction company San José, among others.

As a result of the award, the company Desarrollo Urbanístico de Chamartín (DUCH) was formed, with Argentaria (65%), San José (20%), and Procisa (15%) as shareholders, and with the sole purpose of promoting and developing the project.
1994
Public document certifying the award
Renfe grants DUCH the public deed for the awarding of the administrative concession, as the successful bidder for the building rights over the railway land in Chamartín and Fuencarral owned by it.
1999
BBVA is created
BBV and Argentaria merge to create BBVA, a financial institution that since then has held 72,5% of the company's shares. The remaining 27,5% is owned by San José Constructora.
2000
2014
Shareholder stability
A period of shareholder stability, during which several projects are proposed but fail to prosper.
2015
Distrito Castellana Norte
DUCH changes its name to Distrito Castellana Norte (DCN).
2017
Madrid Nuevo Norte kicks off
The Madrid City Council, the Ministry of Public Works and Distrito Castellana Norte lay the groundwork for the Madrid Nuevo Norte project.
2019
Shareholder incorporation
Merlin Properties joins the shareholding of Distrito Castellana Norte with a 14.46% stake, acquired from San José Constructora, which now holds 10.54% of the company.
2020
Final Approval
The Madrid Regional Government finally approves Madrid Nuevo Norte.
2021
Signing of the Framework Agreement
The Region of Madrid, the City Council, ADIF Railway Infrastructure Manager and Distrito Castellana Norte sign the framework agreement that will enable Madrid Nuevo Norte to get underway.

Mission

To renovate the northern area of Madrid with responsible, ground-breaking and committed urban planning, to generate a positive impact on the city and its inhabitants.

Vision

We aspire to transform the city of Madrid and pass on a legacy for future generations. We believe that Madrid Nuevo Norte is the key project for 21st-century Madrid.

Values

Ethics
We consider integrity in our actions to be vital: if something isn’t good for the citizens, it isn’t good for Distrito Castellana Norte
Transparency
All our communications are clear: we follow verifiable procedures and provide constant information every step of the way.
Sustainability
We work towards development that is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable.
Innovation
We are committed to the best practices in international urban planning: consulting each project action with top experts in each field.
Commitment
We involve citizens and listen to them: because we know that 21st-century urban planning is impossible without their participation.