Tenerife Port Authority Launches €2.3 Million Renovation of Historic Jet Foil Terminal

The Port Authority of Tenerife has begun the bidding process to renovate the former jet foil terminal at the North Pier of Santa Cruz. The building requires urgent repairs to fix structural issues and leaks. According to the State Contracting Platform, the project has a budget of 2.3 million euros, with three construction firms—Tomás Gracia, ASCH, and Urban2020—competing for the final contract.

The renovation, which is expected to take eight months to complete, goes beyond simple roof repairs. The project includes a full upgrade of the building’s exterior, including replacing the metal structure and polyester sheets, installing double-glazed skylights, renovating the cafeteria pergolas, and significantly improving thermal insulation.

The terminal, currently used as the headquarters for the stevedoring company Sestife, is a notable example of late 20th-century island architecture. Designed by architects Antonio Corona Bosch, Arsenio Pérez Amaral, and Eustaquio Martínez García, it opened in 1991 to serve hydrofoils traveling between the Canary Island capitals until 2005. The building was highly regarded for its design, winning the Manuel de Oraá y Arcocha Regional Award and earning a place in the II Spanish Architecture Biennial for its blend of maritime tradition and modern aesthetics.

This rehabilitation is essential to preserve a building that has served many roles over the years, from a high-speed transport terminal to a leisure space and a docking site for historic vessels like the Correíllo La Palma. Once a winning bidder is selected, the project will begin a new chapter for this landmark, which remains a vital part of the city’s waterfront.