Built at the beginning of the Great Recession, the Miramar Tower was meant to be a status symbol that would welcome visitors arriving to Valencia via the motorway.

The entire complex (a multi-lane roundabout, fountains, and the tower itself) cost 24 million euros. But unfortunately, the tower was closed to the public a measly three months later, after it was plagued by difficulties such as a malfunctioning lift.

The staircase was left open for a while, but it turned out that paying customers were not enthusiastic about climbing 10 stories in the intense summer heat to reach the viewing platform. The visitors that did make it to the top left feeling disappointed due to its misleading name—one would be forgiven for thinking that the “look at the sea tower” would offer views of the Mediterranean, but in fact, it wasn’t possible to see the coast at all.

The tower is now neglected and in a state of disrepair. Each new government administration so far has no new ideas to repurpose it. The locals see it as a monument to unnecessary government overspending.