Santiago Calatrava鈥檚 Valencia scheme is unlikely ever to be built

Spanish politicians have reacted with dismay after court papers revealed the Valencian regional government paid 拢13m to renowned architect Santiago Calatrava for a project that is unlikely ever to be built.

The recession-hit region splashed the cash on the scheme in four installments up to 2004, prior to the country鈥檚 property crash.

The Calatrava-designed scheme - which includes three skyscrapers and eight residential blocks - has since been shelved indefinitely.

According to court documents , the architect was paid 鈧�15.2m (拢13m) for his work.

A spokesman for the Valencian government defended the spending:

鈥淚t is a model that could be used at a later date and as such is an asset owned by the Generalitat Valenciana,鈥� he said.

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