El Tarter Luxury Project Sparks Investor Lawsuit

A luxury property development in El Tarter has sparked a bitter legal dispute between its investors, turning a promised multimillion-euro windfall into a courtroom battle.

The Arbres del Tarter project, located next to the Grandvalira ski slopes, was valued at €47 million and featured 45 apartments, four commercial spaces, and 69 parking spots. Backers anticipated sales within three months, yielding over €15 million in net profit. Instead, the venture has stalled amid mutual accusations of contract breaches.

On one side, heirs of the Martínez family—former owners of Repostería Martínez, sold to Bimbo in 1999—allege they fell victim to a planned scam by legal advisors and trusted associates, including project manager Alberto Fernández. They claim losses exceeding €50 million across deals in Andorra and Marbella, accusing Fernández and others of hiding key details to divert funds. The family pursued the investment through Andorran firm Entre 4 SLU, where Clara Isabel Martínez serves as administrator, and their Spanish holding company Inversiones Montellano SL.

Fernández, sole administrator of Andorran company Residencial Altavista SLU, vehemently denies wrongdoing. His side asserts that he completed construction and held powers to sell units, with buyers paying up to 50% upfront—funds received by the family. When it came time for final deeds, the family revoked his authority, halting proceedings. They point to a signed agreement stipulating that unsold units would be divided to repay investments plus 20% interest, noting the family had already recouped much of its stake while the project awaited technical certifications.

The clash has dual fronts: a criminal complaint filed by the Martínez family in Madrid's Court of Instruction No. 52, and a prior civil claim by Fernández in Andorra. Properties remain trapped—some buyers unable to complete deeds, others in limbo over ownership.

Fallout extends online: an interview with Fernández touting the project as a high-end success on Abast Global's site has vanished, as has the residencialaltavista.ad domain redirect. The dispute underscores tensions in managing the family's post-sale inheritance, rooted in their Burgos bakery empire.

The building stands complete, but resolution rests with the courts, leaving El Tarter's priciest units—some exceeding €1 million—symbols of a soured partnership.