Casa Modernista to be renovated

The Canarian Government has awarded €150,000 for the renovation of the Casa Modernista (modernist house) on Caletas de Famara’s seafront.

The grant will go to the Canarian Diocese, which owns the property.

The striking Art Nouveau building was built in 1933 by the philanthropist Luís Ramírez, inspired by the works of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona.  On its façade there are sculptures of seashells, , jellyfish and moray eels and an octopus.

However, despite the fact that Ramírez left the building to the church on the condition that it was kept in good condition, it has fallen into a dilapidated state in recent years and has had to be covered with wire netting to prevent chunks of masonry from falling and injuring passers-by.

This summer, local residents put up a large placard saying “Church and Ayuntamiento – Responsible for this Ruin” but finally it has been the regional government that has stepped in to carry out the conservation work of the listed building.