Historic La Laguna Convent Hits Market as Religious Orders Depart
The historic convent of the Servants of Mary in San Cristóbal de La Laguna has been listed for sale or lease, highlighting a growing trend of religious orders vacating properties in the Canary Islands due to declining membership.
Religious orders are increasingly moving out of their historic headquarters in the Canary Islands, a trend that is now significantly impacting the local real estate market. A recent example is the former convent of the Servants of Mary at 59 La Carrera Street in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which is now available for sale or lease. This move highlights how land use is shifting within the city’s protected historic center.
The sisters, who had occupied the building since arriving in the city in 1899, officially vacated the property in 2024. The order stated that the decision was driven by a lack of new members—a structural issue facing many religious congregations across Spain. As a result, they must now manage the future of these buildings, which hold significant architectural and symbolic value.
The property is particularly notable due to its prime location on one of the main streets of La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With a general shortage of residential and commercial space in the city, the arrival of such a large property on the market raises questions about its future. Historically, former convents have been repurposed as public facilities, luxury hotels, or high-end homes, though any changes must comply with strict heritage conservation laws.
The history of the Servants of Mary in La Laguna—which grew from a small group of five to a thriving community in the 20th century before its recent decline—mirrors the broader social changes in the region. Now, the future of 59 La Carrera Street rests in the hands of a strained real estate market, where converting unique, historic buildings is one of the few ways to bring large spaces back into active urban use.