Valencia residents protest palm tree removal for new boutique hotel

Six mature palm trees in the Botànic area of Valencia's Turia street were felled to make way for an 82‑room boutique hotel in former residential blocks (numbers 49 and 51). The trees, described by locals as an "impressive oasis," have drawn strong opposition from neighbourhood residents who view the act as "arboricide" and worry about the loss of historic green space.

The city council approved the change of use after an initial heritage commission rejection; a construction licence was granted in January 2026. Officials said the trees could not be transplanted because their intertwined root systems could not survive relocation. Residents have requested the project's detailed plans, noting that only two palms were shown in the design and fearing they will not be replanted. The development follows the eviction of 16 families by a fund that now seeks to turn the site into a boutique hotel, fueling broader concerns about tourism‑driven gentrification in Valencia.