Guest: Andrew Brooks, the developer behind Plaza Blanca
I sat down with Andrew Brooks, the man behind one of the most transformative regeneration projects Sotogrande has seen in decades: Plaza Blanca. Once an abandoned, graffiti-covered commercial centre long forgotten by most residents, Plaza Blanca is now a design-led, vibrant village hub with cafés, boutiques, a gym, a co-working space, high-quality dining, and a lively sense of community.
Together with his wife Carla, Andrew has taken what many considered an impossible challenge and turned it into a thriving neighbourhood asset, an entrepreneurial story blending vision, grit, negotiation, luck and an unwavering belief in what Sotogrande could be.
A Chance Encounter That Became a Life Path
Andrew and Carla arrived in Gibraltar in 2018. On their very first weekend, their bank manager invited them to lunch in Sotogrande. They had never heard of the place.
A perfect Sunday lunch, followed by a walk down to Bunker’s Beach, changed everything.
“We were like… what is this paradise we’ve never heard of?”
They bought a weekend home almost immediately and fell into the Sotogrande lifestyle: golf, paddle, long walks, outdoor living and real community. As their children left school in Gibraltar, their centre of gravity naturally shifted across the border.
And then came Plaza Blanca.
Seeing Potential Where Others Saw an Eyesore
Most residents remember Plaza Blanca as it was, boarded windows, vandalism and graffiti, abandoned units, squatters and broken doors with no lighting. Andrew describes walking into the structure for the first time: “I was blown away by how much property there actually was.”
While others saw a headache, he saw an opportunity.
With 25 years of experience in historic refurbishments in London, Ireland, Bath, Edinburgh, Hereford and Gibraltar, the project didn’t scare him; in fact, compared to listed buildings from the 1700s, Plaza Blanca (built in the 1980s) looked almost easy.
But buying it wasn’t easy.
The Deal: A Year of Negotiations, Unknowns & Blind Faith
Plaza Blanca had been through multiple failed auctions. The ownership structure was fragmented, with 13 unrelated owners, some in their 70s and 80s, many living abroad, and a handful of units occupied illegally.
Andrew and Carla negotiated with SAREB (Spain’s bad bank) to acquire the main portfolio. SAREB itself didn’t fully understand what it owned. There were cadastral references, but no detailed information about tenant use, structural conditions or squatters.
Andrew ultimately submitted an offer without knowing exactly what he was buying.
“We had to put a number in we were comfortable with, whatever happened.”
They won — with the condition of completing within four weeks before year-end.
Phase 1: Clean, Repair, Paint — Then the Community Arrived
The first step was simple: new windows, new doors, fresh paint, lighting and security
And something magical happened.
As soon as Plaza Blanca started to look alive again, messages poured in:
“I’ve got a business idea.”
“Can I rent an office?”
“We need a co-working space.”
“Can I open a deli?”
Andrew received 10–12 enquiries a week, long before plans were finalised. And for every unit that had promise, he tracked down the original owner and made a fair offer to buy it, eventually acquiring an additional 13 units.
The vision began to form.
Curating a Village — Not Just Filling Space
Andrew refused to fill Plaza Blanca with random tenants.
“You can’t have five bakers. You need the right mix.” He prioritised a flagship restaurant, a bakery, a gym/wellness anchor, co-working space, cafés, design-led boutiques and essential services like the pharmacy, which was already in existence. Every tenant had to contribute to the ecosystem, and bring energy, quality and entrepreneurial passion.
Today, over 40 tenants occupy Plaza Blanca, including The Office sports bar, Opera the bakery, Feathers gym, Gem co-working, Blondie salon, Beastro, aesthetics clinic, and the signature Restaurant Plaza Blanca.
Building a Community, Not a Commercial Centre
This is where the story becomes uniquely Sotogrande. “What started as a business opportunity has become a community we are now deeply part of.” Remote workers who used to feel isolated now meet for lunch, coffee and after-work drinks. Retirees come daily to socialise. Kids flock to Plaza Blanca for Halloween, Christmas and Easter events, all organised by Andrew and Carla, often tied to local charities. And the feedback Andrew receives most often? “Thank you — this has improved our life here.”
The Future: An Apartment Hotel & A Stronger Ecosystem
The next major step is converting 800m² above the gym into a 15-unit apartment hotel. The idea is to have digital self-check-in, studios and 2-bedroom units designed for year-round occupancy with guests feeding footfall to Plaza Blanca businesses.
If approved, it will become an anchor for sustainable growth. Andrew also would like improved green zones around Plaza Blanca, upgraded paths and landscaping, possibly a gallery/event space and eventually a butcher, fishmonger or greengrocer.
He dreams of Plaza Blanca functioning like a true Andalusian village, where you can live your daily life without needing the supermarket.
Why He Loves Sotogrande
Andrew describes living here as: “Like being young again.”
Sport, nature, friendships, sunshine, and the lack of stress from commutes, parking or urban chaos. Sotogrande now attracts global entrepreneurs, digital professionals, young families and high-achieving individuals who choose this lifestyle intentionally.
“Everyone mixes: the lift engineer, the multimillionaire, and the person early in their career — all having a good time together.”
That, he says, is rare.
A Final Reflection
Andrew Brooks didn’t just refurbish a building; he revived a village. Plaza Blanca now represents what Sotogrande is becoming: international, entrepreneurial, active, community-driven and beautifully designed. If you haven’t walked through Plaza Blanca recently, go. Have a coffee. Meet someone new. Feel the energy.
Sotogrande has a new heart!
🎙️ This post draws from insights shared in one of our episodes, available on YouTube and Spotify. For more on Sotogrande’s insider tips, tune in and explore other episodes too.
To discuss areas, schools, and commuting options, or to see a short list of homes that fit your brief, reach out to Noll Sotogrande Real Estate, our incredible Sponsor co-owned with Stephanie Noll, without whom none of this would be possible.
Thank you, Charlie.
