The Town Council of Los Realejos has initiated Operation Rescue the Viera Cinema, a long-held aspiration of the northern municipality that has yet to come to fruition, while this architectural gem of Tenerife falls further into disrepair due to neglect.
The mayor of Los Realejos, Adolfo González, has commenced the process to acquire this notable property from its current owner, the Cajacanarias Foundation. González visited the cinema alongside representatives from the foundation and discovered its deteriorating condition after years of abandonment.
This is not the first attempt by the Northern Council to procure the Viera cinema. The mayor himself acknowledged this during his visit. Two years prior, in 2004, efforts were made, but the project could not materialise at that time as it was deemed unfeasible, with Adolfo González stating, “having access from Doctor González Street was the only viable point for entering its performance space.” He added, “We now propose a new approach that would make this achievable.”
“I believe we are in a favourable position to reach a satisfactory agreement with the owner, following negotiations that have made understanding increasingly challenging in recent years,” González expressed.
Negotiations resumed a few months ago with the renewal of discussions between the Town Council and the CajaCanarias Foundation to establish a financial agreement and explore potential uses for the infrastructure. The Urban Planning Management and the Heritage Area of the Council have even initiated a file that will include a technical evaluation of the property and a final appraisal, which will be compared against previously conducted assessments and the financial offer put forth by the owner.
The structure, commonly referred to as the cinema and officially named Theatre-Cine Viera y Clavijo, is listed on the Red List of Spanish Heritage that includes assets at risk of vanishing. It stands on a plot of 850 square metres in the heart of the town, close to the Church of Santiago Apostle.
As noted by Hispania Nostra, the organisation that maintains this blacklist, the cinema was constructed in 1947 based on a design by architect José Enrique Marrero Regalado, who was also responsible for notable structures such as the Basilica of La Candelaria and the Cabildo de Tenerife headquarters. “It is one of the most significant examples of the so-called Neocanarian style, which was prevalent during that period,” states the heritage card, further mentioning that the cinema underwent several interior modifications in the 1970s that altered its original appearance.
Hispania Nostra expresses concern about the present condition of Viera cinema, describing it as “quite alarming.” “It is in an advanced state of decay due to its owners’ neglect and the inaction of the Town Council regarding this historical artistic heritage,” they comment.
Adolfo González aims to put an end to this neglect. “The goal is to restore the property for cultural purposes, taking into account its condition, the technical feasibility of rehabilitation, the definition of its uses, and ensuring compliance with current regulations, particularly since it is located within the historical area of Realejo Alto,” concludes the mayor.
