The iconic House Lola, situated in the municipality of Guía de Isora, is set to be transformed into a concert venue, among other applications, following a project worth 13 million euros recently awarded by the Tenerife Council. The construction firm Construcciones Felipe Méndez SL will carry out the renovations for this amount, with a projected completion timeframe of 18 months.
Historical Context
This house, built in the latter half of the 18th century, embodies traditional architectural styles and has seen various uses throughout the history of Guía de Isora. The property, owned by the insular Corporation, is commonly referred to as House Lola after its last resident. The alternative name Cave handle originates from a cave that existed in the basement before the edifice was constructed. Isabel de Esteban, the island’s director of Historical Heritage, stresses the significance of promoting such restoration projects. She states: “Restoring House Lola means highlighting the rich cultural and, in this instance, architectural heritage, alongside preserving historical aspects and creating new purposes for community benefit while respecting the building’s heritage attributes.”
Diverse Functions
The house once operated as a bakery and confectionery, well-known for producing exquisite sweets from Guía de Isora. Remnants of this trade, such as the original oven, remain within the building. At another time, it served as a popular entertainment venue known as The Cave. Furthermore, it also functioned as a Civil Guard barracks and a site for announcing military reports and casualties during the Spanish Civil War.
The Initiative
The rehabilitation initiative was designed to transform the first floor into a versatile space suitable for acoustic concert performances, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. Additionally, it aims to facilitate events related to historical and artistic heritage, with the option to organise gatherings on the rooftop. The second floor is intended to house a permanent exhibition dedicated to the works of the Isorano painter Manuel Martín González (1905-1988), regarded as one of the finest landscape painters from the Canary Islands.
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