For decades, Punta del Este was synonymous with one thing: season. Three months of splendor between December and February, and then a resort that closed its doors until the following summer. That image is now a thing of the past. On December 16, 2025, the World Trade Center (WTC) Punta del Este Free Zone, the first free trade zone for services in the department of Maldonado, and with it a fundamental change was consolidated: the city ceased to be just a holiday destination to become a place to live, work and invest all year round.
This is not just another office building. It's the missing piece that will allow Punta del Este to compete on equal footing with established business hubs, offering companies an exceptional tax regime combined with a quality of life that is hard to match in the region.
What is the WTC Punta del Este Free Zone?
The WTC Punta del Este Free Zone is an office tower under the free trade zone regime, located in the heart of the resort town, on the Gorlero AvenueLocated on the corner of Plaza de los Artesanos and just a few meters from the marina, this location is a significant advantage: it sits on the busiest commercial and service axis of Punta del Este, with immediate access to everything.
The project's numbers:
- 27 floors and some Sqm 28.000 built.
- An investment that was around U.S. $ 65 millones.
- Construction started in June 2022, more than 200 direct jobs generated during the work.
- LEED certification for its energy efficiency and sustainable design.
The official inauguration was attended by the President of the Republic, Yamandú Orsi, the Mayor of Maldonado, Miguel Abella, and other national and departmental authorities, which gives an idea of the institutional weight that the undertaking has for the future of the region.
What does it mean for it to be a "free trade zone for services"?
Herein lies the key that sets this building apart from any other corporate tower. free trade zone for services It's a system that allows companies operating within the WTC to enjoy significant tax benefits: they don't pay taxes on their business operations under this system. In practice, this makes the WTC a gateway for investment, which, combined with Uruguayan professional talent, is very attractive to international companies considering where to locate.
The building is designed specifically for service exporting companies in areas such as:
- Knowledge economy
- Artificial intelligence
- Education
- Professional services (legal studies, consulting, finance)
It is the same model that has already proven successful in Montevideo, but brought to Maldonado for the first time.
The support of the WTC Montevideo model
The project is being managed by the historic Luis E. Lecueder Study, the same group behind the WTC Montevideo Free Zone, a free trade zone for services consisting of two towers in the Buceo area that operates with more than 93% occupancy and where renowned international companies were established.
That track record is its best selling point: it's not an experiment, but rather the replication of a proven model. Furthermore, the WTC Punta del Este is part of the global network of World Trade Center Association, which connects the spa to a global business ecosystem.
Why now: Punta del Este as a financial and services hub
The WTC didn't appear out of nowhere. It arrives to crown a transformation that has been accelerating since the pandemic, when Uruguay positioned itself as a reliable and stable country in a volatile region. The combination of political stability, tax incentives and a high quality of life It attracted investors and high-net-worth families from Argentina, Brazil, the United States, and Europe.
Some data that put the phenomenon into perspective:
- According to the Central Bank of Uruguay, wealth management firms went from 155 in 2020 to 174 in 2023.
- During that same period, the number of customers grew 80 %, until about 49.400and assets under management increased 29 %, reaching the U.S. $ 37.200 millones.
- Firms such as Latin Securities (2022) and Gletir Corredor de Bolsa (2023) opened or expanded their presence in the area.
Added to this is a wave of world-class infrastructure that accompanies the growth: the expansion of the private jet terminal at Punta del Este airport, the first British Hospital clinic in the Beverly Hills area, the arrival of technology giants like Google with a data center in Uruguay, and emblematic real estate developments such as the Cipriani Resort, Residences & Casino (US$ 500 million) or El Nido Beach & Surf Homes.
The WTC is the missing piece: the one for work and high value-added professional services.
What type of offices does it offer
The building offers flexible spaces, designed for companies of different sizes and stages of development, with offices ranging from 50 m² to 605 m² per floor. There are three options:
- Paperback: Spaces delivered in gray, so that each company can develop its own custom office.
- Equipped: units with the interior design work already completed.
- Business center: Fully equipped units, with all services included in the price.
This variety allows both a technology startup and an international law firm to find a format that suits their needs.
Impact: employment, talent and a new city paradigm
Beyond the initial investment, the true impact of the WTC lies in what it generates going forward. At full capacity, the project is projected to create more than 1.300 jobs (with estimates reaching 1.400), attracting professionals and companies from all over the world.
At the time of the inauguration, the building registered around a 30% occupancywith the expectation that dozens of companies will gradually set up operations. Among the first confirmations is an international law firm.
The underlying effect is the most interesting: Punta del Este is ceasing to be a vacation destination and becoming a place chosen to live and work. A paradigm shift that redefines the very meaning of the city.
What does this mean for the real estate market and investors?
For those who view Punta del Este as an investment destination, the arrival of a free trade zone for services is a significant sign. The stable presence of companies and professionals year-round changes the equation for real estate demand: it's no longer just about seasonal properties, but also permanent housing, year-round rentals, and a clientele with purchasing power seeking quality of life without sacrificing job opportunities.
The consolidation of a high-level business hub tends to sustain property values over time and revitalize areas that previously thrived on seasonal fluctuations. In other words, the WTC not only adds square meters of office space: it reinforces the foundations that make Punta del Este an attractive and resilient market.
FAQ
Where is the WTC Punta del Este Free Zone located? On Gorlero Avenue, in the heart of Punta del Este, at the corner of Plaza de los Artesanos and meters from the marina.
When was it inaugurated? On December 16, 2025, with the presence of President Yamandú Orsi and departmental authorities.
What tax benefits does it offer? As it is a free trade zone for services, companies located there do not pay taxes on their commercial operations within the regime, making it a very competitive option for attracting investment.
Which companies can set up shop? It is primarily aimed at companies that export services: technology, artificial intelligence, education and professional services.
Who is behind the project? The historic Luis E. Lecueder Studio, the same group that developed the successful WTC Montevideo Free Zone.
Punta del Este is experiencing a pivotal moment. With the World Trade Center Free Zone, the resort town that for decades was measured by its summers is now also measured by its ability to attract talent, companies, and investment year-round.
