The Santa Cruz Council and the Canary Islands Government have finally announced plans to demolish an unfinished hotel that has stood abandoned for nearly 50 years on the coast of Añaza in Tenerife, at a cost of €2.5 million.
Originally planned to be a landmark tourist destination, the Y-shaped structure is now set to be removed, paving the way for the re-naturalisation of the surrounding area.
Funding Secured for Demolition
The Government has allocated €2.5 million through its Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy to support the demolition project as part of its Climate Change initiative, giving the Santa Cruz Council 36 months to complete the task.
“This is a commitment we made to the residents of Añaza,” said the Mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez. “With this funding, we can finally advance with this long-awaited demolition, and restore normality and dignity to such an important part of the island.”
The building, designed with 22 floors and spanning 40,000 square metres, was intended as a hotel with 741 rooms when construction began in 1973. However, the project was abandoned in 1975, leaving an incomplete and deteriorating structure. Over the years, it has been a source of insecurity, accidents, and negative visual impact on the coast.
A Multi-Phased Approach to Renewal
Urban Planning Councillor, Zaida González, outlined the steps ahead for 2025, beginning with the expropriation of the land and final project approval. “Following this, we will put the demolition project out to tender, allowing us to conclude a case we’ve been managing since 2018 in response to a historic demand from the public,” González said.
The initiative will also include the re-naturalisation of the affected area, a priority emphasised by Mariano Hernández Zapata, the Councillor for Ecological Transition. “This investment not only involves the demolition of the structure but also restoring the landscape and biodiversity, turning the site into a new green space for the city,” he explained.
A New Start for Añaza
The demolition marks the end of an era for a building once envisioned as a symbol of Tenerife’s tourism potential. Instead, its removal is set to transform the Añaza coast into a safer, more attractive area that improves the quality of life for local residents. With its past firmly in the rear-view mirror, the site’s future as a revitalised and sustainable space is finally within reach.
