With a legacy spanning 141 years, the AAM needed to vacate its current premises in Chiado “by the end of August” due to an inability to afford the increased rent, which rose from 542 euros to 3,728 euros, jeopardizing music education for 320 students and the employment of 40 teachers.
In statements made today, Pedro Barata revealed that an agreement has been reached with the owner of the Chiado building to remain at least until the end of the next academic year.
“Of course, we want to leave before then. Following the approval to purchase the building on Avenida de Berna by the Lisbon City Council, we are now awaiting the Court of Auditors’ approval, and then we will see,” said the president of the Academy’s board.
Lisbon City Council approved on July 9 the purchase of a property on Avenida de Berna, owned by the public company Estamo, for 7.27 million euros, to house the Academy of Amateur Musicians.
In a private meeting, the proposal, signed by council president Carlos Moedas (PSD), was approved “unanimously” and is now subject to review and voting by the Lisbon Municipal Assembly, according to the city executive.
The proposal specifies the acquisition of the building located at Av. de Berna, No. 26, in the parish of Avenidas Novas, from Estamo — Real Estate Investments, a public company responsible for managing and valuing public properties, “for the total payment of 7,274,200.00 euros.” This financial commitment by the council will be undertaken in 2026.
While seeking a centrally located solution, the council suggested leasing this property on Av. de Berna, but the rent requested by Estamo, around 7,000 euros per month, was unaffordable for the AAM.
In April, after negotiations with Estamo, Carlos Moedas indicated that the council was “at the point of acquiring that property, exactly so the AAM does not have to pay rent or pays the maximum discount” the municipality can offer “under the rules.”
“Following negotiations between the Municipal Directorate of Asset Management (DMGP) and Estamo, an agreement was reached to value the acquisition of this building on Av. de Berna, resolving the Academy’s situation, securing the institution’s future, and allowing the adaptation of other floors for functionalities of significant public interest,” according to the proposal.
Considering the urgency for the AAM to utilize the building, Estamo is willing to allow the AAM to carry out adaptation works on the spaces intended for its operation in the next academic year, following the council meeting’s decision, with the purchase and sale deed with the municipality deferred to 2026.
Therefore, the AAM can “immediately” use the property, while proceeding with the formal authorization procedures necessary for the acquisition process, ensuring that the budgetary impact of this unplanned operation for 2025 will only take effect in 2026.
Since the acquisition value exceeds 870 thousand euros, the council must obtain the corresponding authorization from the Municipal Assembly, also subject to prior approval by the Court of Auditors.
After the proposal’s approval by the municipal executive, the council president emphasized the commitment to finding a solution that ensures the continued work of the AAM, a historic institution where notable musicians have been trained and which is responsible for the artistic education of hundreds of students each new academic year.
