Real Madrid has achieved an important step on Thursday morning for its plans to reform its Santiago Bernabéu, located near the Castellana, in the financial heart of the capital.

On Wednesday they sensationally advanced to Champions League semifinals and on Thursday Real Madrid scored one more victory. The city hall finally approved crucial first phases of Bernabéu redevelopment. The green light comes almost eleven months after the project was approved by the city council.

The urban project includes the demolition of the two circular towers located at the ends of the west facade of the stadium. Together with current parking along the Castellana the land will be converted into over 12,000 m2 of public green areas, creating future access routes to the stadium.

Eventually two new towers will be built to ensure proper crowd circulation at the revamped circulation, though they will be located slightly differently than the current ones, closer to the center of the stadium. This year some €12.7 million is to be spent, to be covered entirely by Real Madrid.

Along with the demolition of the two towers, the project of the new Bernabéu includes the demolition of the commercial building that currently houses the gallery known as 'Esquina del Bernabéu', which will give way to a landscaped area for public use, with parking underneath.

Works are expected to start this summer and last about two years. Due to constant use of the stadium, reconstruction of Bernabéu will happen gradually, with crucial works being delivered in the summer, when tournaments aren't held at the stadium.

New capacity of the stadium should be around 78,000, slightly below current size. However, revenue and versatility of the stadium will go up due to new hospitality areas, commercial uses and retractable roof enabling non-football events.