Administrative Deadlock Leaves Arona’s Casa del Mar Renovation in Limbo
The renovation of the Casa del Mar in Los Cristianos remains indefinitely stalled due to administrative hurdles, technical project flaws, and ongoing political instability.
The Casa del Mar in Los Cristianos, Arona, has become a stark example of how administrative hurdles and political instability can stall vital public infrastructure in the Canary Islands. According to Diario de Avisos, the building—originally slated five years ago to become a specialist center for the elderly and those with neurodegenerative diseases—is now suffering from structural decay that threatens its safety and future.
The building is currently at risk of falling debris, the result of a long series of technical and administrative setbacks. The current local government, a coalition of the PP, CC, and Vox, has put the project on hold. They are waiting for the joint venture (UTE) responsible for the design to fix errors in the project documents, specifically regarding the building's installations. Héctor Reyes, the Councilor for Works and Infrastructure, stated that these flaws must be corrected before any construction timeline can be set, leaving the project’s future completely uncertain.
The deadlock stems from several factors. After the state transferred the building to the City Council in 2019 for social use, the previous administration planned a major renovation of the 934-square-meter space. However, the project was derailed by the 2023 political fallout within the PSOE, a lack of consensus in local government, and legal disputes between the companies involved in the project.
Beyond the bureaucracy, the building has become a point of political contention. Opposition spokesperson José Julián Mena has criticized the local government over reports of unauthorized access to the site, though officials insist that security measures are in place. This political friction stands in contrast to the reality on the ground: while the ground floor remains in use for activities for the elderly, the rest of the building is unfit for purpose.
The Casa del Mar highlights the challenges municipalities face when managing state-transferred properties, especially when projects are caught between unstable governance and complex contract disputes. As the City Council waits for technical corrections, the renovation of this center—which is essential for local Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s care—remains indefinitely on hold.