A significant icon of Tenerife is forecasted to incur a cost four times higher than the original budget allocation. The renowned Adam Martin Auditorium, already a symbol of Santa Cruz, particularly in the vicinity of the Black Castle and the maritime park, stands out as one of the most captured and frequented structures by tourists. Its striking appearance (almost resembling a sculpture more than just a music venue) draws attention from various angles, in line with other creations by the acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava. However, the initial budget of 26 million euros escalated to 74 million by its inauguration in September 2003. After 21 years, this supposed landmark of Tenerife portrays a distressing image, with numerous sections of its exterior mosaic (the renowned and costly trencadís) either falling off or raised, along with water seepages, resultant dampness, and structural issues. Instead of the previously estimated 2.6 million euros required for restoration in 2017, the actual amount needed is 24 million euros (equivalent to 15.2 million in 2017).
Furthermore, building upon recent calculation by the Cabildo’s technicians, undertaken two years ago, the augmented Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the current robust nature of construction material market have to be considered. The refurbishment works, essential to rectify the highly inappropriate appearance of this alleged island landmark, will entail the closure of the auditorium for a minimum of one year. Consequently, the diverse and culturally rich programme it normally accommodates (content independent of the physical structure) will have to be halted or relocated to alternative venues. This includes events like the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra concerts, leading to substantial financial losses (also estimated in millions of euros in 2017).
Correspondence with the Architect in 2016
In response to the escalating deterioration of the auditorium, the Tenerife Island Council (then under the governance of CC and PSOE) urged Calatrava via a letter in 2016 to spearhead its restoration. However, the architect disclaimed responsibility, attributing the dilapidation to the substandard execution of the project by the joint venture comprising the construction firms Acciona, Dragados, and Promotora Punta Larga, which also handled the Las Teresitas case. Naturally, this assertion was refuted. Subsequently, a legal dispute ensued to ascertain the party accountable for the refurbishment expenses.
Since 2017, it has been widely acknowledged that the renovation necessitated a minimum of 2.6 million euros at that time. Nevertheless, our publication has verified that the figure envisioned by the island’s technicians back then was substantively higher, hovering around 15.21 million euros. These amounts would require revision in alignment with the surge in material costs, labour charges, and market demands of construction entities for any undertaking.
In a resolution dated 12 and 14 August 2018, the island’s governing body dismissed the objections raised by Acciona and declined the evidentiary petition from this construction conglomerate and Dragados. Consequently, the Cabildo reiterated its demand for the joint venture and Calatrava (alongside his team and successors) to oversee the rejuvenation efforts following the identification of “latent defects” in the edifice. Subsequently, the technicians appraised the renovation outlay at 15.21 million euros, with “supplementary expenses amounting to 2.94 million”.
Moreover, the financial repercussions are elucidated due to the revenue loss during the “initial year of dormancy of 1.22 million”. This encompasses an additional 355,616 euros accounting for the Audiorio de Tenerife company’s indirect expenses over these 12 preliminary months, along with 4.32 million for the Insular de Música Patronato (inclusive of yearly wages and Social Security). Nonetheless, it was clarified that the final expenditure would hinge on the approval of “a novel execution scheme necessitating formulation subsequent to the completion of requisite technical evaluations for determining appropriate procedural methodologies”.
Subsequent to this ruling, an administrative appeal was lodged through ordinary procedural means 372/2018 in Court number 4. The appellants then petitioned for the suspension of this process to pursue an extrajudicial resolution. On 15 November 2019, the magistrate issued a directive granting a 60-day timeframe for a “customary” resolution. However, this deadline passed without any accord, prompting intervention by the newly established island administration (PSOE-Cs, with external backing from Sí Podemos). Calatrava proceeded to propose a novel blueprint and was granted an extension until November 2023. Nevertheless, the incumbent governing coalition (CC-PP) has further extended this timeline till November this year.
Fresh 2022 White Paper Publication
The year 2022 saw the production of a new report (dated May 23 and signed by the Chief of the Technical Unit, Sergio Gutiérrez Rojas) setting the estimated completion time at 19 months and the expenses at a total of 24.07 million euros. Additionally, as a precautionary measure due to the potential risk of the exterior mosaics falling, on July 7 of the same year, the Cabildo allocated 272,473 euros to engage a service for monitoring and controlling the movement of the ceramic covering and its support through the use of transducers and 3D laser scanner technology. No outdoor events have taken place at the auditorium for several years now, despite previously hosting various performances, including weddings. The total amount was split into 96,949 euros for 2022, 87,762 for 2023, and the remaining sum for the current year.
As of now, the current administration’s response to enquiries from this newspaper is that, due to the matter being subject to legal proceedings, the Cabildo is unable to intervene. Nevertheless, it is emphasized that the measures implemented assure complete safety, thus allowing cultural and recreational activities to continue (such as in the bar located on the premises).
The preceding government, responsible for implementing these safety measures and establishing an agreement with the architect (later extended for one more year pending the presentation of his new technical proposal), contemplated an interim intervention and, subsequently, transferring the costs to the UTE or Calatrava. However, neither party is willing to shoulder the responsibility, posing a significant economic and political risk.
Meanwhile, a symbol of Tenerife, dedicated to a prominent local and regional leader, Adán Martín, continues to portray a regrettable image for a project that has exceeded its initial budget by fourfold in the span of 21 years (or more) since its inauguration.
A Surge of Nine Million over 5 Years, Still Awaiting Revision
As evident from the snippet of the aforementioned document, which is the opening of page 4 of the Cabildo report from May 23 and 24, 2022, the island’s technicians estimated the expenses required for rectifying “the deficiencies” in the construction of the auditorium at 24.07 million euros (as mentioned in the first paragraph), whereas a study conducted by the same department in 2017 set it at 15.2 million euros, excluding unforeseen expenses and the repercussions of a year-long closure.
