The Maratué housing megaproject received the green light last Monday after the Committee of Ministers of the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA) rejected the claims against it. This body met for the second time under the current administration of President José Antonio Kast, led by Environment Minister Francisca Toledo. On this occasion, the committee also dismissed a citizen participation claim (PAC) in the Metropolitan Region regarding the modification of Line 7 of the Santiago Metro, specifically the Baquedano Station access.
In the case of Maratué, this resolution allows the team of professionals behind the initiative to prepare for a phase of intense work. Promoted by the Lería family in the municipality of Puchuncaví (Valparaíso Region), it is the largest real estate project in Chilean history: it involves an investment of US$2 billion to build 14,000 homes over a period of 45 years.
Thus, it is a long-term, first-time home initiative (70%) that, according to its managers, seeks to support the region’s growth in an orderly and sustainable manner. They have also indicated that it aims to contribute to addressing the region’s housing crisis, focusing on quality of life and urban integration.
It envisions building a maximum of 14,180 homes (with 50% green spaces), at a rate of 300 housing units per year, to ensure the continuity of the commune’s urban core. Of these homes, at least 2,000 will be eligible for subsidies, built through Serviu projects.
In this context, Óscar Lería Chateau, president of Osler Inversiones, and Claudia Lería, executive director of Maratué, met on Friday in Miami (USA) with Argentine architect Juan Frigerio, partner at Foster + Partners and in charge of the project’s design (see photo). The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate Frigerio’s trip to Chile during the first week of May to formally launch Phase 2 of the project.
Having received environmental approval from the Committee of Ministers, Maratué now enters the sectoral permitting phase. The first major step will be to request, this year, the subdivision of its 1,000 hectares from the Puchuncaví Municipal Works Department (DOM).
From there, the project will begin constructing roads to access the different sections of the property. Simultaneously, they will be required to continuously report their progress to the Environmental Superintendency (SMA) to ensure compliance with the approved commitments.
In the short term, the project also aims to establish a physical presence in the area. To this end, they will set up offices for the technical teams and improve the infrastructure for the park rangers already working there.
Furthermore, the management team will begin a series of meetings to explain the next stages of the project. Among the authorities expected to attend these meetings are the Minister of Housing, the Presidential Delegate, the Mayor, and the City Council.
Regarding permits, it is estimated that this new phase will require more than 300 authorizations. These will not be requested all at once, but rather processed gradually over the 45 years of the project’s development.
This volume of permits will depend on the construction strategy and will include various requirements. These include urbanization and building permits, approvals from the DGA (General Directorate of Water) and the DOH (Department of Public Works), as well as authorizations for tree pruning and archaeological rescue.
In an interview with Pulso, Felipe Lizana, Maratué’s real estate manager, provided details about the initiative’s new roadmap. He stated that “the next stage will focus on engaging the authorities, clarifying that the goal is not to seek a fast track, but rather to ensure they fully understand the project and its different phases.” Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of integrating, from the outset, the various stakeholders who will participate in or witness its development.
Lizana added that, as Maratué is the largest real estate project developed in Chile, it will require strong technical partners. In that regard, he assured that the Municipality of Puchuncaví is prepared for the challenge, given its track record with large-scale initiatives. The executive highlighted the real estate boom the area is experiencing, with developments in sectors such as Marbella, Horcón, and Maitencillo, in addition to the center of Puchuncaví itself. This dynamism encompasses not only housing initiatives but also services and infrastructure.
As an example of this growth, he mentioned the opening of new supermarkets after the pandemic and the constant emergence of new land subdivisions. “Puchuncaví is a municipality with a lot of activity and high investment potential,” he stated.
Reactions
Amay Villarroel, president of the Alto Ventanas Housing Committee, explained that “the news that something concrete could be done with the committees, and that people wouldn’t have to leave their area, was already fantastic. Seeing the emotion and everything it entailed was a dream; but with this, it’s truly wonderful. I think words can’t express what people feel; suffice it to say that it’s the best thing that could have happened. They are happy.”
“Don’t forget that there are many people who need support. It’s not just my committee of 140 members; we represent several groups. There are nearly 900 people who will be celebrating right now,” she added.
For her part, Rosanna Pérez, president of the Los Médanos de Campiche Committee, stated: “We want housing for the families who currently rent or live with relatives. Now people are happy and motivated because we have the certainty that we will finally get our own homes.” Following its environmental approval, the US$2 billion Maratué housing project is beginning its architectural design phase and the process of obtaining the necessary permits in Puchuncaví. Project executives will prioritize working with local authorities, while housing committees in the area celebrate this historic step toward the possibility of homeownership.