The International Center for Fairs and Congresses Tenerifealso known as the Fairgrounds, located in the Cabo-Llanos neighborhood of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, was designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava at the initiative of the Island Council of Tenerife.
The building, inaugurated in May 1996, is an excellent engineering exercise, as evidenced by its articulation through a supporting structure of iron and reinforced concrete that works like a giant vertebrate.
The direction of the work was carried out by the architect Joaquín Amigó and the surveyor Manzano, technicians from the Island Council.
The construction was carried out by the company Covers and Mzov. The concrete and metal structure calculations were carried out by the engineering company Martínez Segovia, Fernández Pallás y Asociados. The installations were carried out by the company IGS.
This multifunctional space with an avant-garde design, whose luminosity and natural ventilation of its interior rooms make it a multipurpose venue without equal, allows it to host the main fairs, exhibitions and festivals that take place in Tenerife in its 40,000 square meters.
Inaugurated in May 1996, it was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava at the initiative of the Island Council.
On the upper floor there is a main nave of 12,000 square meters, open plan, which makes it the largest covered space. Canary Islands. This large hall is 190 m long, 70 m wide and around 20 m high. The maximum capacity reaches 15,000 people. The building’s cafeteria is also located on this floor.
On the lower floor there is a second Multipurpose Room, called Zócalo, of 3,800 square meters – without columns – and capacity for 334 people.
In the annex building, made up of five floors, are the offices of the Tenerife Promotion Society (SPET) and the technical and control areas of the complex. Around it there is a parking lot with capacity for 300 vehicles.
Big events. Throughout these years, countless activities have been developed inside; Among them we will mention: trade fairs for food, computing, agriculture, cattle raising, leisure, etc.; music concerts, conferences, seminars, art exhibitions, rallies, television programs, fashion shows, etc.
Since 1996, the main events of the Fair have been held at the Fairgrounds. Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnivalamong which the competitions of murgas, troupes and the Great Queen’s Election Gala.
