Restoration Work Begins on Historic Baudet Theater in Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The restoration of the Baudet Theater marks a significant turning point for architectural conservation in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The Cabildo de Tenerife recently signed the site handover certificate, officially beginning work to stabilize the building and reverse years of decay caused by long-term neglect.

The project, which has a budget of 1,866,954 euros, has been awarded to the construction firm Desarrollos e Iniciativas Canarias SL (Deica). The work is expected to take twelve months to complete, following a second round of bidding after the initial attempt was unsuccessful. Island Vice President Lope Afonso described the project as a vital step in protecting a landmark of the city’s identity, noting that the work was urgently needed to prevent irreversible structural damage.

Technically, the project involves a complete rehabilitation, including waterproofing the roofs, restoring the façade, and carefully removing unstable elements. A key focus will be preserving the original trusses. Designed by José Enrique Marrero Regalado and opened in 1944, the theater is historically significant for its riveted beams—a construction method similar to that used in the Eiffel Tower. This makes the Baudet a standout piece of 20th-century industrial heritage, far beyond its former life as a 1,200-seat cinema.

José Carlos Acha, the Minister of Culture, Museums, and Sports, stated that the long-term goal is to transform the building into a multipurpose center. The local administration intends to turn the long-abandoned space into a functional facility that contributes to the city’s modern cultural scene. By starting these repairs, the Cabildo aims to secure the building’s future, ensuring that Marrero Regalado’s legacy can be adapted to meet the needs of the community today.