Canary Islands' Oldest Theater Begins €8M Renovation

The Guimerá Theater, a well-known cultural venue in the city, is undergoing its fourth renovation in its 174-year history. Closed since late March to clear out its contents, the theater yesterday saw the start of long-awaited restoration work. The goal is to modernize its interior and bring it up to 21st-century standards.

The project, which is expected to finish in 2028, will focus on the ground floor and main entrances of the building. It will cost 8 million euros, with half the cost covered by the Government of the Canary Islands and the other half by the Cabildo de Tenerife.

This ambitious renovation will bring the oldest theater in the Canary Islands back to the public, fully renewed and updated. To do this, the work will involve renovating its interior, strengthening its structure, getting rid of termites that have badly damaged the wood, and replacing seats and the "gallinero" (the upper balcony or gallery), among other improvements.

Other improvements include new restrooms, two elevators to make the building accessible for the first time, modern audiovisual systems, air conditioning, and motors to lower the chandeliers for easier cleaning. The project will also restore decorative features and turn previously unused spaces on upper floors into versatile cultural rooms.

Once finished, the Guimerá will not only be a modern and accessible theater but also the central point of a future cultural hub, linking three historic city buildings. Santa Cruz Mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez, explained: "Next door is the Recova Vieja, which has also just been renovated and will host some of the theater's events while it's closed. Also, at the back, in the former Ministry of Finance building, the Government will start another big project to create a new exhibition hall for the city."

Culture Minister, Migdalia Machín, added that the former Ministry of Finance building, owned by the government, is planned to become the new headquarters for the Culture Ministry. Work will start next year with a budget of six million euros. The plan is to create an exhibition hall on the ground floor, with the upper floors used for administration.

Regarding the Guimerá Theater, the mayor stressed that "this renovation is much more than just work on a building. It's a strong commitment to culture, our identity, and preserving a heritage site that is part of the city's history. As a protected landmark, the project will improve its structure, aiming to reopen it ready for the new century and making previously inaccessible areas usable."

Bermúdez made these comments during a visit to the theater. He was joined by Fernando Clavijo, President of the Government of the Canary Islands, and Rosa Dávila, President of the Cabildo.

For his part, the Canarian president, Fernando Clavijo, hailed the project as "more than just renovation work; it's an action that will help us recover an essential part of our identity." He added that the Guimerá is "not just a theater but a living memory of our people, shared culture, and a symbol of who we are and what we want to continue to be."

Clavijo stressed that "returning the renovated Guimerá to the Canarians is an act of dignity for everyone; it tells our people that their memory and culture matter, and that this Government believes in protecting and strengthening what makes us unique."

Meanwhile, Rosa Dávila reminded everyone that this project "is part of the island's commitment to protecting and improving its heritage, especially what defines the Island's cultural identity." She also congratulated the city council "for the courage and bravery to undertake a project that will take time, but was necessary."

Project architect, Javier Déniz, explained the details of the work from the Guimerá's stage. He described it as "quite complex, as we must work inside while fully protecting the building, which is a declared Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC). Preserving the theater's spirit while creating a modern space is complicated."

He added that "the works will not only include technological upgrades for audiovisual systems, but a key part will be installing two elevators to connect all four floors, allowing access to dressing rooms or the previously unused Guimerá Hall. Also, the decorative elements will be restored. The University of La Laguna has already conducted a study to help restore all parts of the coffered ceiling."

"The Guimerá Theater will go from being a 20th-century cultural venue (last renovated in 1991) to a 21st-century theater." Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez summarized the goal of the major renovation, which began yesterday in the historic building, by saying this. Amidst workers, a half-dismantled orchestra pit, and a noticeable emptiness, the building is being stripped down inside. It is expected to reopen fully renovated within two years, or "perhaps less," according to the project architect.

This transformation will also see the box office moved back to its original spot at the main entrance. At the same time, areas damaged by humidity and termites will be repaired, as "some parts are quite damaged," the architect noted. The renovation contract was awarded to UTE Construcciones y Proyectos–Víctor Rodríguez e Hijos, with technical supervision by Cemosa.