Technology parks: a new hotspot for real estate investment
Last Updated on 30 June 2025 by Urbanitae
In recent years, technology parks in Spain have established themselves as true engines of innovation and economic development, with an impact that extends well beyond the scientific realm. Strategically located—often in industrial areas or near universities and research centers—these spaces are designed to foster collaboration between companies, institutions, and academia. They originated in the 1990s, when they began to develop as tools to energize industrial regions and strengthen university-business collaboration.
The Cartuja Scientific and Technological Park in Seville, which emerged after the 1992 Expo, was one of the first emblematic examples of this model. Since then, they have evolved into environments that concentrate high-value economic activity, modern buildings, and advanced services, making them key assets in the real estate market. Technology parks not only host innovative companies, but also generate growing demand for modern office spaces, high-quality industrial land, and well-connected housing.
51 technology parks in Spain
Spain has 51 parks integrated into the APTE Association, which, according to the most recent 2023 data, hosted 5,908 companies leading in sectors such as technology, engineering, and healthcare. These companies generated revenues of €28.917 billion, a 15% increase compared to the previous year, and employed 161,435 people, including 38,656 professionals dedicated to R&D. Investment in research reached €1.701 billion, reflecting a high concentration of talent and knowledge. This dynamism makes technology parks magnets for real estate investment, ensuring high occupancy, stable rents, and increasing demand for high-quality spaces.
From a real estate perspective, the most relevant factors are the surface area occupied by these parks and the type of land involved. The variety is notable. Some developments are clearly focused on industrial, commercial, and logistics use, with large plots available, such as the Leganés Technology Park, which spans over 2.8 million square meters. Other parks are more specialized, such as the Cantabria Scientific and Technological Park, with just over 237,000 square meters divided into zones especially geared toward innovation, technology, and research.
Technopark Motorland in Teruel also stands out, covering more than 212,000 square meters and focused especially on the automotive and mobility sectors.
In the south, the Almería Scientific-Technological Park (PITA) covers around 28 hectares and is oriented toward the agri-food, biotechnology, and energy sectors.
Each of these developments demonstrates a distinct strategy, but they share a common denominator: urban planning and investment in infrastructure as levers for economic development.
A new magnet for data centers
Some parks are also beginning to attract investment related to other types of infrastructure, such as data centers, which require large plots, guaranteed electrical capacity, and strong connectivity. A recent example is the “Altamira Project” in Cantabria, led by Stoneshield Capital through its subsidiary XDC Properties. This project involves a total investment of €3.6 billion to create a tech campus with a 500 MW data center. The project will occupy more than 370,000 square meters and includes a 75,000-square-meter photovoltaic plant. Although its launch is scheduled for 2025, with phased deployment through 2032, it is already generating interest in both the technology and real estate sectors.
Sarenet will also build a new data center in the Bizkaia Technology Park, with an investment of €20 million. These types of assets are increasingly sought after by investors due to their long-term contracts, low tenant turnover, and high rents associated with their strategic importance to companies.
Key operations in the past year
Major projects, significant acquisitions, and expansions across Spain confirm that the real estate sector linked to innovation is more active than ever. Here are some examples:
Madrid
Over the past year, notable transactions related to technology parks have highlighted the growing interest of capital in this type of asset. One such case is the sale of the Getafe Technology Park by Siemens. The operation, concluded with French firm Alderan through its Comète fund, involved the transfer of a real estate asset of 21,450 square meters, including 18,350 square meters of office space, 3,100 square meters for logistics use, and 428 parking spaces. Although the transaction value has not been disclosed, it is a nearly 100% occupied complex. This deal confirms the appetite for well-located logistical and technological assets with high-credit tenants.
In May 2025, the new Madrid Innovation District was unveiled—a development spanning 85 hectares promoted by Real Madrid and the City Council in Valdebebas. With a total expected investment of €8.5 billion and the potential to create 25,000 jobs, it is designed as an urban ecosystem with mixed uses (offices, data centers, residences, and training facilities).
Basque Country
Another important move took place in the Basque Country, where the Euskadi Technology Park announced its expansion into Illunbe, in San Sebastián, in collaboration with the local city council. This extension will accommodate new business projects, such as the one led by Columbus Venture Partners, and strengthens the strategic value of technology parks as holders of tertiary land prepared for high-value-added initiatives.
Andalusia
Málaga TechPark, with over 700 companies and annual revenues exceeding €4 billion, is operating at nearly 100% occupancy. It continues to expand its network of institutional partners, most recently adding a new institutional member from the Balearic Islands, reinforcing the park’s interregional projection. The high occupancy rate and the ecosystem’s stability make it a model case for long-term profitability for real estate investors.
Catalonia
Lastly, the Barcelona Science Park reached full occupancy in 2024, attracting €124 million in investment, mostly from private sources. The lack of available space is accelerating expansion plans, clearly signaling strong demand pressure and, consequently, opportunities for the development of new assets.
