Santa Cruz Approves CaixaForum Management Deal for Viera y Clavijo Complex

Santa Cruz de Tenerife has cleared a major hurdle in the long-awaited transformation of the Viera y Clavijo Cultural Complex. Following the latest local Governing Board meeting, the City Council has officially granted the "la Caixa" Foundation the right to manage the site. This agreement is a vital step toward finally beginning the comprehensive restoration of the property.

This project is more than just a transfer of municipal land; it is a complex undertaking. Because the building is protected as a heritage site, the plans must carefully balance public ownership with private, socially-focused management. The newly approved roadmap sets out the specific financial, administrative, and technical requirements needed to operate the center once it opens.

Strategically, the arrival of CaixaForum in Santa Cruz represents a major push to bring world-class cultural events to the city. The foundation has pledged two million euros annually to cover operating costs and host international exhibitions and activities.

For the city government, this project is about breathing new life into a historic site that has sat in limbo for years. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez stated that the goal is to integrate the complex back into the city’s daily life, turning it into a vibrant hub for learning and community engagement. By restoring the Viera y Clavijo, the City Council hopes to establish Santa Cruz as a premier cultural destination in the Canary Islands. The project’s success now depends on meeting the technical requirements that will guide the restoration and redefine the region's cultural landscape.