The Adán MartÍn Auditorium, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, is located in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, just at the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, at the southern part of the city’s pier. In the 1970s, Tenerife was in need of an auditorium. The project was originally given to architect Antonio Fernández Alba, but the changes in the building’s concept, as well as a change of the future auditorium’s location, the project was abandoned until 1989, when Santiago Calatrava Valson was tasked with its completion.
It was only in 1996 that Calatrava got approval for the building’s location. Construction started in 1997 and lasted until 2003. This magnificent complex has since become one of the architectural symbols of the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of the Canary Islands. It is considered to be the most elegant and modern building on Tenerife. In March of 2008, the Postal Service of the Spanish Canary Islands issued a postal stamp with images of Spain’s most prominent architectural symbols, which included a depiction of The Adán MartÍn Auditorium, one of the most important tourist attractions of Tenerife, and home to the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra.
In 2011, the Auditorium was named “Adán MartÍn” in honor of the deceased President of the Canary Islands, Adán MartÍn Menis, who promoted the Auditorium’s construction. The building is located on a plot which covers an area of 23 thousand square-kilometers. The spectator area is different from traditionally constructed buildings. The main hall has a dome, and houses 1616 seats spread into the shape of an amphitheater, in front of which is a 16.5 meters long and 14 meters wide stage.
In the Hall, which can be reached from two sides of the building, there is a printing room, a souvenir shop and a cafe. The building also houses twelve one-bed rooms, changing rooms, as well as rooms designated for hair-stylists, make-up artists and costimographers. The exterior boasts two balconies with a marvelous view of the sea.
