Santa Cruz Landmark: From Mansion to Hotel to School
A historic Neo-Gothic building in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, originally a private home for businessman Enrique Wolfson, then the luxurious Gran Hotel Quisisana, now serves as the Colegio de las Escuelas Pías, reflecting the city's 20th-century social and economic evolution.
The well-known building that is now home to the Colegio de las Escuelas Pías de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a school with a long history, tells a story of how the city changed socially and economically during the 20th century. This building, famous for its unique Neo-Gothic style and its prime spot overlooking the city, started out as a private home. Later, it became a famous hotel, and eventually, the school it is today.
Construction of the grand building began in 1902, ordered by businessman Enrique Wolfson Ossipoff. Wolfson, originally from Russia but later a naturalized English citizen, came to the island to escape persecution of Jewish people in his home country. He initially planned to travel on to South Africa. However, his sharp business sense and ties to the local British community convinced him to stay in Tenerife. Here, he established the Tenerife Shipping Company and led the British Club of Santa Cruz. The house, designed by architect Mariano Estanga to look like a Victorian castle, was never lived in by Wolfson after his wife, Jane Mariner Brown, passed away.
Showing great business foresight, Wolfson turned the property into the Gran Hotel Quisisana, which opened on December 5, 1904. For decades, this hotel was known as the most luxurious in the city. But the two World Wars and the Spanish Civil War led to its decline and eventual closure. After closing, the building was managed by the Insular Tourism Board, which was part of the Cabildo (Tenerife's island government).
A new chapter began in 1940. The Catholic Association of Parents in Santa Cruz wanted to create a new school. They arranged to buy the building and nearby land from the Escolapian Order. So, on October 17, 1940, with Father Andrés Moreno Gilabert as its head and 256 students, the Colegio de las Escuelas Pías de Santa Cruz opened its doors. Ever since, the school has continued its mission, following the teachings of Saint Joseph Calasanz. This approach focuses on the student, promoting empathy, inclusion, and overall development, making the school a vital part of the city's education system.