The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council and the Canary Islands Government are poised to take a significant action to resolve one of the constructions that has caused the municipality numerous challenges: the unfinished hotel located along the Añaza coast and the subsequent renaturalisation of the area it occupies and its surroundings.
The Canary Islands Government, via the Department of Ecological Transition and Energy, has awarded the capital’s City Council a direct grant for Climate Change, amounting to €2.5 million, to finance the demolition of this building, which has been abandoned for almost five decades. The department led by Zaida González has 36 months to complete the demolition.
The mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, José Manuel Bermúdez, has emphasised the significance of this initiative. He remarked, “This is a commitment we made to the residents of Añaza and all of Santa Cruz, which we can now say is closer to being fulfilled,” expressing gratitude to the Government of the Canary Islands for its support “in providing this grant to restore normality and dignify this vital area for the Southwest district. This intervention requires the backing of other administrations, and thanks to this grant, we can make progress sooner.”
The Minister of Ecological Transition, Mariano Hernández Zapata, clarified that this investment will not only facilitate the demolition of the notorious building but will also involve the renaturalisation of the environment impacted by the demolition. This effort will have a direct effect on the recovery of its landscape and will enhance the biodiversity of the area, providing an opportunity to create a new green space within the city.
Zaida González, the Councilor for Urban Planning, outlined the steps to be taken in the year 2025, stating, “We will begin with the expropriation of the land prior to the final project approval. Following this, we will initiate the tender process for the demolition of the building, enabling us to conclude a matter we have been managing since 2018, which addresses a longstanding request from the community.”
Meanwhile, the Councilor for Strategic Planning, Environmental Sustainability, and Public Services, Carlos Tarife, highlighted the beneficial impact of the intervention: “The demolition of this structure will be a crucial step in regenerating the Añaza coast. Furthermore, by the end of 2025, we will have the Añaza maritime platform project, an initiative that will enhance this area and complements other efforts, such as the ongoing work to eliminate sea discharges in the vicinity,” the mayor noted.
About the building
The building features a Greek Y-shaped design, rising 22 stories and occupying an area of 2,350 square metres, with an estimated constructed space exceeding 40,000 square metres. Construction commenced in 1973 as a hotel project featuring 741 apartments but was left unfinished in 1975. Since then, it has posed numerous issues related to safety, accidents, and detrimental visual impact.
The City Council is optimistic that the demolition of this structure will be the definitive measure to restore the quality of life for Añaza residents and transform the environment into a safe and appealing space for all.
